Fast Facts

The Challenge

AI in education will widen the learning divide unless we design for the alternative now. Many education ministries struggle to easily assess the effectiveness and safety of AI interventions, nor do they have comprehensive regulations and policies to meet this moment.

Our Role

The AI Observatory & Action Lab will use a hypothesis driven approach to generate evidence about strategies and approaches that we believe will narrow the learning divide in the age of AI and provide decision makers with timely, practical evidence.

Activities

We scan AI trends, test real-world applications, provide tailored guidance, benchmark tools and synthesise insights to support education decision makers with timely, practical evidence on AI in education.

A Theoretical Framework for Education in the Age of AI

The AI Observatory has created a theoretical framework to make sense of how AI is changing education. It sets out practical ideas we are exploring to help narrow the global learning divide and guide decisions today while keeping an eye on the future.

See how this framework can help you

AI Observatory

We generate and share timely, relevant evidence on the AI landscape for education decision-makers, and turn that evidence into action through community, practical guidance, and country-level engagement.

Explore the collections of work and initiatives emerging from the AI Observatory below. Click to learn more about each initiative.

Signal Library is Now Live: The First Ever Signals Database of Its Kind

Signal Library surfaces signals of change from credible research, evidence, news and blogs presenting a curated selection of the latest developments relevant to AI and education in low- and middle-income…

AI Observatory Ideas Series

EdTech Hub’s Ideas Series bring together expert opinions to explore the most pressing topics in AI for education. They provide insights into trends, debates, and innovations shaping the field.

AI Observatory Learning Brief Series

EdTech Hub’s learning briefs are a collection of practical, evidence-backed resources, made for people working to improve the use of technology in education.

World Bank: AI in Education Global Community of Interest

The World Bank and EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory and Action Lab co-convene a special Community of Interest to explore and understand AI’s potential, practical technical options, challenges, and policy implications…

Waypoint Wednesday: Weekly Spotlight on AI for Education

Since launching the AI Observatory, we’ve been in listening mode — meeting and discussing AI with people across the world. These conversations have surfaced key trends, tensions, and paradoxes that…

Action Lab

Tackling opportunities, gaps, and ideas worth testing to know what AI-related approaches, frameworks, and/or policies can lead to evidence-informed shifts towards effective and equitable AI use.

Beyond the Upgrade: A Theoretical Framework for Education in the Age of AI

There’s nothing quite like thinking about grading in the age of AI to make you realise how quickly the ground under our feet is shifting. Right now, teachers are using…

Ministry of Education AI Challenge

When education systems function well, they create the right conditions for learning. This comes straight from the World Bank’s 2018 report on realising education’s promise.

Teachers-in-the-Lead Sandboxes

As AI reshapes education globally, much of the debate focuses on what algorithms can and cannot do, often overlooking the people and skillset that matters most: teachers. The future of…

From “in the loop” to “in the lead”— teachers shaping the role of AI in education

As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day, it’s an important time to acknowledge that the role of teachers and how we support them is continuously evolving. This is especially true as…

Teacher-in-the-Loop

The AI Observatory & Action Lab, a project by EdTech Hub, is working to understand how AI is starting to shape education, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Too often,…

Behind the Screen: Teachers Co-Designing WhatsApp AI Tools

We are supporting Aga Khan Foundation, Rising Academies, and Taleemabad as they run AI sandboxes with teachers to explore how AI can reduce workload, support lesson planning, and improve classroom practice. Teachers are not just users—they are co-designers shaping AI in the classroom.

See how the teams are making progress

The Complete AI Collection

Discover the full range of work emerging from the AI Observatory & Action Lab.

Read more

Latest Signals

Each week, we highlight emerging trends in AI for education worldwide. Get early signals, expert reflections, and insights on what’s shaping learning and teaching.

How might low- and middle-income countries leapfrog the global status quo and create education models that are fit for the context?

How might low- and middle-income countries leapfrog the global status quo and create education models that are fit for the context? EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is exploring how education systems…

How might low- and middle-income countries co-design solutions that align with education priorities and ethics?

EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is exploring how education systems can create context-driven solutions – which means ensuring AI tools, models, or approaches genuinely meet the diverse needs of a place…

How might low- and middle-income countries ensure embedded AI tech allows for alignment with local curriculum, assessment, and teacher needs?

How might low- and middle-income countries ensure embedded AI tech allows for alignment with local curriculum, assessment, and teacher needs? EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is exploring how education systems can…

How might we connect and automate governance to overcome capacity gaps and gain efficiency and learning?

How might we connect and automate governance processes to overcome capacity gaps and gain efficiency and learning? Traditional ways of tackling problems in the public sector are being challenged in…

How might we optimise ‘behind the scenes’ tasks at every level of the education system?

How might we optimise ‘behind the scenes’ tasks at every level of the education system? Governments and administrators are increasingly using AI to improve efficiency (OECD, 2024; Rahman & Freeman,…

How might we enhance education by using AI to make school management and processes more efficient and effective?

How might we enhance education by using AI to make school management and processes more efficient and effective? The conversation on AI in education has focused on classrooms and learning…
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Initiatives

Tools

Op-Eds

Events

Learn more about our Community of Interest Events with The World Bank

Podcasts

EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is made possible by the support of UK International Development.

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