How can AI transform education without leaving anyone behind?

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent in classrooms and learning environments, concerns arise about ensuring its advantages are widely shared and do not exacerbate existing inequalities. A new international study, led by Associate Professor Rwitajit Majumdar from Kumamoto University in Japan, offers a roadmap for responsibly integrating AI into education.

The study, published in Computers and Education Open, focused on emerging trends and challenges through a Delphi survey involving 70 experts from 18 different countries, representing various sectors including academia, industry, policy-making and teaching.

The researchers identified five key priorities for AI in education. First and foremost was the need for AI-related competencies among both learners and educators. This emphasizes the importance of understanding not only how to utilize AI tools, but also how to critically assess their outputs, limitations, and ethical implications.

Following closely were automated formative assessment and feedback, as well as the evolving role of teachers collaborating with AI agents. While AI can provide students with rapid, personalized feedback, the study stresses that teachers will remain central to the learning process. Instead of being replaced, educators may increasingly function as facilitators of learning, combining AI capabilities with their professional expertise.

Two additional priorities—explainability and trustworthiness, along with accessibility and equal access—highlight the challenge that technological advancements alone do not guarantee educational improvements. For AI systems to truly enhance education, they must be transparent, reliable, and fair. Furthermore, students from diverse socioeconomic, geographic, and linguistic backgrounds must have equitable opportunities to benefit from these technologies.

The researchers argue that AI adoption should not be viewed in isolation from the broader educational ecosystem. Education involves a complex interplay of learners, educators, institutions, data, infrastructure, policies, and society. Therefore, successful integration of AI requires coordinated efforts across research, educational practice, and policymaking.

The study concludes that the future of AI in education should be centered on human capability, pedagogical innovation, ethical governance, and equity. In this framework, AI is not a replacement for educators, but a tool to support teachers, empower learners, and strengthen educational ecosystems.