Abstract
This strategic foresight study aims to understand the shifts that might take place in education systems in low- and middle-income country (LMIC) contexts, given developments in artificial intelligence (AI) that might occur over the next 10 years.
It begins by capturing fourteen trends, relating to AI that might affect the development of education systems in LMICs. After identifying trends, we combined them to sketch five concrete, tangible scenarios.
This understanding will inform a multi-year programme of work, addressing how LMICs can strengthen their capacity, in light of such future possibilities.
An introduction to this strategic foresight study
The next ten years will see big challenges for education systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In particular, IDRC and EdTech Hub believe that two drivers of change will fundamentally shift national education systems: developments in artificial intelligence (AI), and the increase in conflict and crises around the world.
To support governments and education stakeholders, we have embarked on a multi-year programme of work, aimed at answering the following research questions: What will be the key challenges facing national education systems over the next ten years, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence and education in conflict and crisis settings… and how can governments in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) build capacity to successfully overcome those challenges?
To understand how LMIC governments can effectively build capacity, we need to better understand the shifts that might take place in education systems. That’s the purpose of this strategic foresight study. Our goal is to explore possible futures for LMIC education systems. This exploration will go on to share a programme of research into how governments in LMIC contexts might adapt and build capacity in light of such futures.
This document is Part 1 of our strategic foresight study: Artificial Intelligence and Education Systems in 2035: Fourteen trends and five scenarios for how the future might unfold. Part 2 of our study, which includes twelve trends and five scenarios for the impact of increased conflict and crisis on education systems, is available here.
Authors and contributors
Rahman, Asad (Author)
Freeman, Abigail (Author)
Citation
Rahman, A., & Freeman, A. (2025). Artificial Intelligence and Education Systems in 2035: Fourteen trends and five scenarios for how the future might unfold [Technical Report]. EdTech Hub. https://doi.org/10.53832/edtechhub.1125
Link to this record
https://docs.edtechhub.org/lib/HF6HI7XM
Key themes
- AI
- Content analysis and thematic analysis
- Digital personalised learning
- School administrators and senior leadership team
- System readiness
Type
- Technical Report
