OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026: Exploring Effective Uses of Generative AI in Education examines how generative artificial intelligence is entering education systems and reshaping learning, teaching, and system management. Drawing on empirical evidence and design experiments, the report finds that while GenAI can enhance personalised learning, feedback, and efficiency, its impact depends critically on pedagogy, human oversight, and responsible integration.
Key Insights
Learning Gains Are Not Automatic: GenAI can improve feedback and personalise support, but overreliance reduces students’ metacognitive engagement and can weaken genuine learning outcomes.
Pedagogy Matters: GenAI is most effective when embedded in structured pedagogical models that emphasise learning processes, student agency, and reflection rather than task completion.
Tutoring, Collaboration, and Creativity: Early evidence shows promise for AI tutoring, collaborative learning support, and creative exploration—especially when GenAI is used deliberately and iteratively.
Augmenting, Not Replacing Teachers: The strongest benefits emerge when GenAI augments teachers’ work through collaborative human–AI interaction, rather than replacing professional judgement or classroom relationships.
System-Level Transformation: GenAI can streamline administration, assessment design, and education research, but high-stakes uses require human oversight and strong governance.
Policy Challenge: To realise GenAI’s potential, education systems must move beyond generic chatbots toward purpose-built tools, ensuring GenAI acts as a learning partner—not a learning shortcut.
