How to effectively use Generative AI in education
PARIS, 14 Feb. - (ANA) - Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has quicky embedded itself across the world. How can we ensure that it is used with intent, to enrich learning and not replace cognitive effort or reduce teacher professional judgement?
Even though studying with a general-purpose GenAI tool improves the quality of students’ responses, this advantage disappears during exams, when AI access is removed: their results become comparatively worse. In contrast, specialised GenAI tools that are purpose-built for learning, designed with clear pedagogical intent and grounded in the science of how people acquire knowledge and skills, can often lead to better learning outcomes.
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Introduction
Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping the educational landscape, beyond teaching and learning. Unlike earlier waves of education technology, much of GenAI is freely accessible and largely used beyond institutional control due to its intuitiveness and versatility.
The OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026 analyses emerging research that suggests GenAI can support learning when guided by clear teaching principles. However, if designed or used without pedagogical guidance, outsourcing tasks to GenAI simply enhances performance with no real learning gains. The Outlook highlights the benefits of GenAI as a tutor, partner and assistant, and synthesises experts’ evidence and insights on the design criteria that make it work for education. - (ANA) -
For the full paper, visit: https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/01/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_940e0dd8/062a7394-en.pdf
