Brussels,

Digital Education Action Plan 

Action 6: Ethical guidelines on the use of AI and data in teaching and learning for educators

To help teachers and educators to understand the potential that the applications of AI and data use can have in education and to raise awareness of the possible risks, the Commission has developed ethical guidelines on the use of AI and data in teaching and learning.
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Artificial intelligence systems have become an integral part of our daily lives, and it is crucial to comprehend their impact on various domains, including education and training. The potential of AI to revolutionize education for students, teachers, and school staff is immense. It can contribute to reducing early school dropout rates, addressing learning difficulties, and supporting teachers in personalized and differentiated learning. AI applications such as language learning tools, text-to-speech generators, AI mentors for learners, and more can enhance the educational experience.

As AI continues to advance and data usage becomes more prevalent, there is a growing necessity for researchers, educators, and students to possess a foundational understanding of AI and data utilization. This knowledge enables them to engage with AI technology in a positive, critical, and ethical manner while harnessing its full potential.

By fostering this understanding, individuals can make informed decisions, navigate AI systems responsibly, and effectively exploit the benefits it offers in the field of education.

In October 2022 the Commission published ethical guidelines on the use of AI and data in teaching and learning for educators.
The guidelines provide practical support and guidance mostly for primary and secondary teachers with some or no prior experience in using AI.

The guidelines seek to:

  • explain how AI is used in schools
  • help teachers and students with their teaching and learning
  • support systems and administrative processes in educational settings
  • present the ethical considerations and requirements underpinning the guidelines

The guidelines and executive summary were created with the assistance of an informal expert group comprised of professionals from the education and academic sectors. The eTwinning community, through surveys and focus groups, as well as the working group on digital education learning, training, and assessment (DELTA), were consulted during the report's and guidelines' development stages.

Additionally, input was sought from various Commission Directorate-Generals, including the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The collaboration and input from these stakeholders ensured a comprehensive and well-informed approach to the preparation of the guidelines and executive summary, incorporating a wide range of expertise and perspectives from the education field.

Other activities as part of Action 6 included:

  • support for relevant activities under Horizon Europe:
    • a call for proposals for training – ‘HORIZON-WIDERA-2021-ERA-01-91: Ensuring the reliability of and trust in the quality of research ethics expertise in the context of new/emerging technologies’
    • a call on extended reality in education and training
Today, the Commission is supporting related research and innovation activities through the Horizon Europe programme and develop a training programme for researchers and students on the ethical aspects of AI and data use.