Schools adopt AI faster than training and policies can keep up, Doha summit finds
Education systems are introducing generative AI tools into classrooms at a pace that outstrips the development of teacher training programs and regulatory frameworks, according to research presented at the World Innovation Summit for Education in Doha.
The gap between adoption and preparedness emerged from surveys of roughly 550 teachers in Qatar and 3,000 educators globally. Sixty percent of teachers said AI tools help personalize learning for students. Only 30 percent of Qatar's teachers, however, reported they fully understand how these technologies work-despite the country's strong digital infrastructure.
Selma Talha Jebril, director of research at WISE, a Qatar Foundation initiative, said the issue stems from a systemic gap rather than teacher reluctance. Many educators want to use AI but lack adequate training and structured support to do so effectively.
Barriers to implementation
The research identified two concrete obstacles: limited availability of Arabic-language AI tools and compatibility problems with existing curricula. These barriers particularly affect schools in the Middle East and North Africa.
Aisha Al Emadi from Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education said the country has the digital infrastructure needed for AI adoption. Success depends on training, institutional support, and clear policy direction, she said.
Al Emadi emphasized that future efforts must focus on developing regulatory frameworks, ethical guidelines, and sustained investment in teacher development to ensure safe and effective use of AI in schools.
What schools are doing now
Qatar Academy Doha has already implemented structured AI programs, including teacher training and curriculum adaptation. The school carefully evaluates the impact of AI tools before widespread adoption, particularly in student assessment.
Mehdi Benchaabane, vice-president of pre-university education at Qatar Foundation, said schools under the foundation have been working on an AI integration framework since 2022. The approach emphasizes responsible student use of AI alongside awareness of risks tied to overreliance on automated systems.
Benchaabane said the foundation evaluates impact before rolling out new AI tools across multiple schools, rather than adopting them without evidence of effectiveness.
Next steps
Panel discussions at the summit focused on establishing AI standards in education. Participants stressed the need to balance technological innovation with critical thinking and human-centered learning.
WISE compiled its findings into a policy brief aimed at supporting education policymakers in strengthening teacher preparedness and AI integration strategies.
Educators looking to build competency in this area may benefit from exploring AI for Education resources or pursuing an AI Learning Path for Teachers.
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