UNESCO Survey Reveals Surge in AI Guidance Across Global Higher Education Institutions

UNESCO Survey: Two-Thirds of Higher Education Institutions Have or Are Developing AI Use Guidance

A recent global survey by UNESCO reveals that almost two-thirds of higher education institutions with a UNESCO Chair or UNITWIN Network either already have policies on artificial intelligence (AI) use or are actively creating them.

Widespread AI Use Meets Uneven Confidence

Universities worldwide are increasingly using AI tools in teaching, research, and administration. The survey, conducted during UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week (September 2-5, 2025), gathered 400 responses from 90 countries, offering a broad view of AI adoption in higher education.

Nine in ten respondents use AI for tasks like research and writing. Nearly half apply AI in teaching activities such as lesson planning, grading support, and plagiarism detection. Others rely on it for administrative work or professional development.

Despite high usage, confidence in AI remains mixed. Over half the respondents feel unsure about effectively applying AI in teaching or research. Many lack understanding of AI’s technology and its implications for human rights, democracy, and social justice. Barriers to AI adoption include ethical concerns, limited access, disciplinary restrictions, and philosophical opposition. Notably, 25% of institutions have faced ethical challenges related to AI, including student overreliance, disputes over authorship, and research bias.

Growing Institutional Policies and AI Investment

The survey highlights a clear trend toward developing institutional policies on AI. About 19% of respondents said their institution already has formal AI policies, while 42% are working on them. This is more common in Europe and North America (around 70%) than in Latin America and the Caribbean (45%).

Institutions with policies are implementing awareness campaigns, publishing guidelines, and integrating AI rules into academic processes. Approaches vary: some focus on regulation and detecting unethical AI use, while others engage students and faculty in creating AI literacy courses and redesigning assessments.

Investment in AI tools is also increasing. Half of the respondents noted institutional spending on AI, mostly for research, but also for teaching and student learning. These investments show recognition of AI’s potential to support knowledge creation and education delivery.

UNESCO’s Role in AI Guidance for Education

UNESCO has been active in guiding educational institutions on ethical AI use that emphasizes inclusion, equity, diversity, and quality. The 2021 UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI sets broad principles for national and sector-specific policies. Additionally, policy advice is available in the 2021 publication AI and Education: Guidance for Policy-Makers.

More recent UNESCO outputs include AI competency frameworks for students and teachers (2024), aiming to help education systems keep pace with AI advances. Work is ongoing to develop similar frameworks for higher education faculty and students.

Survey Details

The survey targeted UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks, achieving a 38% response rate with balanced regional representation:

• Arab States: 8%
• Asia and the Pacific: 15%
• Europe and North America: 47%
• Latin America and the Caribbean: 20%
• Sub-Saharan Africa: 10%

Follow-up interviews with selected respondents provided further insights into institutional AI policies and concerns.

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