On 24 and 25 October 2024, the Council of Europe held a two-day working conference to advance ongoing efforts to regulate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in education. Bringing together policy makers, experts, educatorsand students, the event examined legal and pedagogical challenges posed by AI and produced actionable recommendations to support its ethical use.
The rapid uptake of tools like ChatGPT has exposed significant governance gaps, particularly around data privacy, algorithmic bias and unequal access. Participants highlighted the limitations of existing frameworks in addressing the specific needsof education.
Key sessions focused on the need for a sector-specific legal instrument, the safeguarding of children’s rights and the evolving roles of educators and learners in AI-integrated environments.
Discussions raised concerns about algorithmic bias, disparities in access and the emotional dependency learners may develop on conversational systems. The conference underlined the need for ethical frameworks, robust regulation and transparent, accountable AI systems.
Workshops explored inclusive approaches and emphasised the importance of AI literacy and capacity building for educators. Participants reviewed a draft policy toolbox for teaching and learning with and about AI and examined the feasibility of a European reference framework for evaluating educational technologies.
The event reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation, inclusive policy making and ongoing investment in educator support. A strong consensus emerged around the need for a collaborative, human-centred approach to AI regulation in education – grounded in the Council of Europe’s core values: human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
The conference marked an important step towards building regulatory responses to ensure AI supports, rather than undermines, inclusive and quality education for all.
