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31. 1. 2025
UNESCO Webinar Highlights AI’s Transformative Potential and Challenges for Lifelong Learning
A recent webinar hosted by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and lifelong learning. The event, held to mark International Education Day, emphasized both the great opportunities and the ethical, social, and policy challenges.
Opening Remarks Set the Stage The webinar began with opening remarks by Rakhat Zholdoshalieva, who spoke on behalf of the director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Ms. Isabel Kempf. She highlighted the potential of AI to provide everyone with a personal mentor that learns and anticipates their needs. However, she also stressed the importance of harnessing AI responsibly and inclusively to ensure it promotes equity rather than reinforcing existing barriers.
Zholdoshalieva called for a threefold approach:
- Sharing knowledge among governments, businesses, civil society, and researchers.
- Establishing ethical standards to safeguard human rights and dignity.
- Educating a new generation of global citizens who can critically engage with AI.
She also noted that current AI models often exclude the majority of the world’s languages, emphasizing the need to democratize access to knowledge and foster ethical decision-making…. She highlighted UNESCO’s 2021 recommendation on the ethics of AI, which is currently being implemented in over 60 countries…. She also mentioned the AI competency frameworks for teachers and students launched by UNESCO in 2039. •”This vision, powered by AI, is within reach. Yet, the question is not just what AI can do for us, but how we harness it responsibly and inclusively.” – Rakhat Zholdoshalieva
Key Themes and Discussions
The webinar featured several speakers who addressed different aspects of AI and lifelong learning.
- Reconfiguring Lifelong Learning in the AI Era: Rebecca Eynon, a professor at the University of Oxford, discussed the different ways various actors, such as academia, ed tech companies, and policymakers, conceptualize AI. She noted that the commercial sector tends to dominate discussions around AI and lifelong learning, often focusing on employability agendas. Eynon pointed out that many actors orient their practices around the concept of personalization. She emphasized the importance of bringing in a stronger focus on educational purpose and human agency.
- Workplace Learning in the Age of AI: Martin Dougiamas, founder of Moodle, shared his perspective on the future of work, emphasizing the need for open-source AI tools. He predicted that AI would automate many tasks, potentially leading to a need for a radical upturn in how the economy works. He also underscored the need to fight for full openness in all major AI tools and for citizens to actively participate in correcting the biases that are present in the AI-generated information. Dougiamas also noted that in the future, organizations will become more fluid and flexible, and people will need AI to assist them with tasks, such as onboarding and management. “We need to fight for full openness in all the major tools in AI. This empowers more people, hopefully everyone.” – Martin Dougiamas
- Older Adults and the Digital Divide: Virginia Rodes Paragarino, a research professor at the Institute for Future Education, discussed the challenges faced by older adults in accessing and engaging with digital learning. She presented a case study from Chile, highlighting the importance of gerontological principles, such as adapting to the cognitive and social capacities of older adults. She stressed the need to address social and material barriers, ensure strategic partnerships and that digital inclusion is seen as a human right. She concluded her address with the following message: “It’s not only access to technology. Also, the importance of strategic partnerships that like a territorial collaborations and partnerships with diverse sectors. “
- Empowering Adult Educators: Annapurna Ayyappan from UIL, presented a sneak peek of an upcoming capacity-building course for adult educators. The course, part of the Digital Empowerment for Lifelong Learning Teaching and Andragogy (DELTA) framework, aims to help educators leverage AI and other technologies while maintaining a critical perspective. Ayyappan stressed that adult educators are a diverse group with specific needs and aspirations and the training should be tailored accordingly. The course is designed to be user-friendly, multimodal, and activity-based, with a focus on ethical considerations. The course is expected to be launched in English in May 2025 on UIL’s Learning Hub.
Conclusion
The webinar highlighted the complex landscape of AI and lifelong learning. While AI offers vast potential to transform education and expand access to learning, it also poses significant risks that must be addressed. The discussions emphasized the need for a human-centered approach that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and ethical considerations. The insights shared by the speakers underscore the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure that AI serves the common good and empowers all individuals in their lifelong learning journey.
