As AI rapidly advances, it's becoming evident that it is starting to outpace humans in critical areas such as reading, mathematics and scientific reasoning. This prompts us to reconsider our educational approach. We must determine which skills to prioritise, which to phase out, and where to place greater emphasis in an AI-influenced world. We need to anticipate how learning methods and teaching practices will evolve. At the same time, more profound questions about the overall goals of education are emerging as the cognitive, physical and social capabilities of AI continue to rise.
Future of education and skills
Education prepares students for their future, but it is increasingly difficult to understand what this means in a world in constant change. To remain relevant, education systems must ground themselves in robust evidence while using imagination to innovate and future-proof their strategies.
Key messages
The digitalisation of every corner of society, accelerated in education by the COVID-19 pandemic, offers immense opportunities to rethink and improve the quality and equity of education. By adopting an ecosystem perspective that encompasses digital technologies, AI, smart data and digital governance, while prioritising human competences, countries can begin a transformative journey in education. This journey underscores the imperative for education systems to develop and assess a broad set of knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to prepare students for the future. Fostering creativity, critical thinking and innovation skills has become essential for individuals to thrive in a digital-centric world.
Global challenges such as climate change, inequality and conflict, coupled with rapid technological progress, are contributing to a world of unprecedented complexity. Education systems need to adopt a forward-thinking and research-informed approach to reshape how, where, why and when we learn in view of these complex demands. A proactive stance is necessary to enable the development of education policies and practices that are not just reactive to current challenges but are also strategically prepared for future educational demands.
Context
The world is increasingly complex and uncertain
Much of our thinking of the future is linear and based on extending currently existing trends. But trends slow, accelerate, bend and break. Unforeseen events can disrupt even long-standing trends. What futures can we imagine for education? Which lessons can we learn from these futures to inform our actions today?
The four OECD Scenarios for the Future of Schooling
Countries now provide a minimal digital infrastructure
Most countries now maintain longitudinal student information systems and other digital management tools that support their educational processes: alert systems to enforce compulsory education, admission management, evaluations, etc. They also support the provision of digital teaching and learning resources and training.
