Teachers Must Remain Central as Schools Adopt AI, Global Education Leaders Say
Education officials from more than 50 countries gathered in Sanya, China this week to warn against treating artificial intelligence as a classroom replacement for teachers. The message came at the UNESCO Associated Schools Network Global Conference, which opened Tuesday and runs through the week.
Kim Min-jeong, director of UNESCO's Division for Education 2030, said well-trained teachers form the foundation of quality education. "We need to make sure that we have good, well-trained teachers to provide quality education for all the young people around the world," she said. In-person teaching offers value that digital tools cannot replicate, she added.
The conference, themed "Transformative Education in Action," reflects a growing consensus that education reform must stay human-centered even as schools accelerate technology adoption.
How Schools Are Using AI Today
China has deployed an AI system in over 500 schools across 15 regions that analyzes classroom recordings and produces diagnostic reports in 15 minutes. The system has processed more than 19,000 classroom videos to support teacher training and classroom reflection.
Zhang Wei, executive director of the International Center for UNESCO ASPnet, said such tools are designed to enhance teachers' capacity, not eliminate their roles. Schools in China are also using virtual and extended reality to help students develop AI-based solutions for environmental protection and cultural conservation.
Other countries are applying AI to promote gender equality and preserve intangible cultural heritage, according to conference organizers.
Digital Access Remains Uneven
Conference participants emphasized that a human-centered approach requires addressing technology access gaps. Lamin Jarjou, ASPnet national coordinator for Gambia, said digitalization is progressing at different speeds globally. "We don't have equal access to digitalization globally. Countries like mine are still catching up," he said.
China plans to advance digital transformation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education while exploring new teaching models. The country's "Education for Tomorrow" platform provides global resources for teachers in STEM and sustainable development education.
About the Network
ASPnet, established in 1953, connects nearly 10,000 schools across approximately 170 countries and regions. The network engages hundreds of thousands of teachers and millions of learners. Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's assistant director-general for education, called it "a real vehicle" for advancing the organization's core values.
Participants said such conferences offer peer-learning opportunities. Yousriya Al Harthi, ASPnet national coordinator for Oman, said the gatherings allow educators to exchange cultures and share practices. "Peer learning is one of the most effective methods of learning," she said.
For educators exploring how to integrate AI into teaching practice, resources like AI for Education and the AI Learning Path for Teachers offer structured approaches to building relevant skills.
Your membership also unlocks:
