You don’t need us to tell you that the realm of AI is buzzing with potential. But it’s also an undeniably chaotic space; and, if we're not very careful, there’s a risk of ghettoising many of the people who should be benefiting from this brave new world.
So we're asking a simple question:
How can this technology actually improve lives?
Not just the lives of a select few. Everyone.
Right now we're at a critical juncture. In education we see the potential for incredible gains. Alongside a real risk of widening inequalities.
In a recent project in Ghana, 500 students were given access to an AI-powered virtual math tutor for just one hour a week. The results were striking: the students improved their learning outcomes by an equivalent of a year’s worth of schooling.
But what about the millions who lack access to even basic digital infrastructure? That's the kind of problem we need to solve.
And the tech itself is only one piece of the puzzle. AI doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It's built on a foundation of policy, infrastructure, skills and funding.
This is why we're creating a space to explore, understand, and shape the future of AI in education, with a laser focus on equity and inclusion.
The AI Observatory has been created as part of our work on the EdTech Hub, alongside partners like R4D, Jigsaw, OpenDev Ed, and the University of Cambridge, and with the support of the FCDO and the International Development Research Centre.
We're interested in practical solutions and building the enabling environment that allows good ideas to flourish and scale
That means:
We know that the best solutions will come from those closest to the challenges. This isn't a top-down initiative, it's a collaborative effort. So, if you’re an educator, policymaker, technologist, or a funder that’s grappling with these issues, share your thoughts, your questions, your ideas. Let's work together to ensure that AI serves humanity, not the other way around.
To get involved email us on hello@edtechhub.org
