AI in the Classroom: How Estonia and Lithuania Are Building the Future While the UK Bans Tech
Estonia and Lithuania embrace AI in classrooms, training teachers and giving students access to AI tools. The UK largely bans devices, focusing on traditional exam prep instead.
The Future of Education: Embracing AI in the Classroom
As AI tools become common in daily life, education systems face a clear choice: ban the technology or integrate it. Estonia and Lithuania have chosen to build with AI, while the UK remains cautious, often opting to ban devices and tools.
When students enter classrooms, should their phones be locked away or used as learning aids? Estonia will soon launch a program allowing tenth and eleventh graders to actively use AI tools. This initiative, called AI Leap 2025, will give 20,000 students access to AI platforms from Anthropic and OpenAI. Additionally, 2,000 teachers will be trained to support this integration, which is essential for smooth implementation.
The Baltic Approach
Estonia’s approach is practical and forward-thinking. Rather than focusing on rote memorization, education will shift toward AI-assisted problem solving, creativity, and adaptability. The education minister pointed out the contradiction in allowing students to vote online but forbidding ChatGPT, emphasizing a need to prepare students for real-world digital environments.
Lithuania is also embracing AI by offering free access through platforms like nexos.ai and Hostinger Solutions. Latvia, meanwhile, is taking a more decentralized approach, focusing on pilot programs and university-level guidelines rather than nationwide rollouts.
Confiscate and Carry On: The UK’s Cautious Stance
In contrast, over 90% of UK secondary schools have banned smartphones. AI tools such as ChatGPT are often viewed as cheating aids rather than learning tools. The focus remains on exam preparation rather than developing AI-driven cognitive skills.
This approach forces students to hide devices and miss out on guided opportunities to use technology responsibly. It creates a gap between official policy and student behavior, potentially putting learners at a disadvantage.
Education as a National Tech Test
Dealing with technological disruption should be built into education systems. Estonia’s model shows how AI can coexist with traditional learning methods like books and videos. Lithuania is following closely, showing that thoughtful integration is possible and beneficial.
For educators and policymakers, the key question is no longer if AI will enter classrooms, but whether students will be prepared when it does.
For those interested in practical AI training for educators, resources are available to help teachers and education professionals understand and apply AI tools effectively. Explore AI courses designed for educators to get started.
