OpenAI launches Education for Countries at Davos: what it means for schools, universities, and ministries
At the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, OpenAI announced Education for Countries - a program to help national education systems deploy AI at scale. The goal is clear: personalize learning, reduce administrative load, and prepare learners for the jobs AI is already reshaping.
The initiative will work with Ministries of Education, universities, research institutes, and public partners to build practical, classroom-ready implementations - not just pilots that fade out after a semester.
What's included
- Access to ChatGPTEdu, GPT-5.2, study mode, and canvas - aligned to local learning priorities.
- Nation-scale research to understand how AI affects learning outcomes and staff productivity.
- Training and certifications for educators and students via the OpenAI Academy and ChatGPT-based credentials.
- A network for governments, researchers, and education leaders to share what works and set responsible-use norms.
The message from OpenAI
Shaig Abduragimov, Solutions Engineering Lead, Government and Education at OpenAI, says education is essential to closing the "capability overhang" - the gap between what AI can do and what people actually gain from it. Education for Countries aims to help governments embed AI into core infrastructure through access to advanced tools, large-scale research, and workforce-ready training.
OpenAI also noted it is expanding its OpenAI for Countries program with new initiatives in health, cybersecurity, disaster response and preparedness, and start-up accelerators - giving nations multiple paths to work with the company based on local priorities.
First cohort
- Estonia
- Greece
- Italy's Conference of University Rectors
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Slovakia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Arab Emirates
Work is already underway in several of these countries. The next cohort will be announced later this year.
Why this matters for education leaders
AI can streamline lesson prep, grading, and student support while giving teachers more time for high-value work. It can also broaden access to tutoring-level support and help align curricula with the skills employers expect.
- Personalized learning at scale: adaptive study plans, formative feedback, and multilingual support.
- Operational efficiency: automate routine workflows, parent communications, and reporting.
- Workforce readiness: integrate AI literacy, prompt writing, data ethics, and applied projects across subjects.
What to do next
- Map national or institutional priorities: start with 3-5 concrete use cases (e.g., writing support, STEM tutoring, admin automation).
- Run phased pilots: select representative schools, define baseline metrics, and publish findings to reduce duplication across systems.
- Invest in educator training: set minimum AI competencies, create practice labs, and offer recognized credentials.
- Set guardrails early: data protection, age-appropriate access, content filters, audit trails, and clear classroom policies.
- Focus on equity: ensure devices, connectivity, and accessibility support are part of every pilot.
- Plan procurement and budgets: include usage forecasts, support, and change management - not just licenses.
- Track outcomes: measure learning gains, time saved, and student/teacher satisfaction to guide scale-up.
How to engage
The announcement was made at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. For official updates on programs and participation, monitor OpenAI's website and your national education ministry's channels.
Professional development for your staff
If you're setting baseline AI skills for teachers or curriculum teams, structured courses and certifications help speed adoption and keep practice consistent across schools. Explore role-based options here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
Bottom line
Education for Countries gives systems-level leaders a practical path to embed AI where it matters: classrooms, teacher workflows, and learner outcomes. The opportunity is real, but the value shows up only with good policy, strong training, and proof from careful pilots.
Your membership also unlocks:
