Estonian Minister Urges Member States to Embrace AI in Education at UNESCO Conference
Estonian Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, recently attended the UNESCO education ministers’ meeting and the UNESCO General Conference in Paris. During the conference, Minister Kallas emphasized the importance of high-quality and accessible education for all children, urging member states to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and digital solutions in the educational sector.
In her address, Minister Kallas recognized that AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we understand learning. She stressed the need to go beyond merely responding to new developments with guidelines and regulations and instead harness the power of AI to create public good and improve education. With a strong emphasis on respecting the privacy and rights of learners, Minister Kallas called it a collective responsibility to strike the right balance when integrating AI into education.
During her visit, Minister Kallas also engaged in productive discussions with several high-ranking education officials from Finland, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, France, Tunisia, and the OECD. The purpose of these meetings was to promote mutual cooperation, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for collaboration in the education sector.
Additionally, Minister Kallas had a significant meeting with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. During their discussion, Minister Kallas reaffirmed Estonia’s unwavering support for Ukraine in its efforts to overcome the challenges posed by the war and rebuild the country. The meeting demonstrated Estonia’s commitment to standing by Ukraine and fostering bilateral cooperation.
The integration of AI in education has the potential to transform teaching and learning processes, making them more personalized, efficient, and effective. By leveraging AI-powered tools and technologies, educators can gain insights into students’ learning patterns and tailor educational strategies accordingly. It can also help in automating administrative tasks, enabling teachers to focus on core teaching responsibilities.
However, the integration of AI in education also raises concerns about privacy, data security, and the ethical implications of using AI algorithms. Therefore, it is crucial to find the right balance between harnessing AI’s potential and ensuring the protection of students’ privacy and rights.
Minister Kallas’s advocacy for AI in education at the UNESCO Conference is a reflection of Estonia’s commitment to innovation and excellence in education. By embracing AI and digital solutions, Estonia aims to pave the way for a future-ready education system that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities brought by the digital age.
In conclusion, the Estonian Minister of Education and Research, Kristina Kallas, called upon member states at the UNESCO Conference to embrace AI in education. She highlighted the transformative potential of AI in creating better education systems while emphasizing the importance of respecting privacy and learners’ rights. Minister Kallas’s efforts to promote mutual cooperation with various countries and reaffirm Estonia’s support for Ukraine underline the country’s commitment to advancing education and international collaboration.
