Shaping the Future of Learning: Education Readiness for the Age of AII N S I G H T R E P O R TJ U N E 2 0 2 6
ContentsImages: UnsplashDisclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders.© 2026 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Executive summaryIntroduction1 The new context for education 1.1 Shifting economic landscape1.2 Acceleration of technological change1.3 Promises of AI in education2 Risks of unstructured AI adoption 2.1 Cognitive atrophy 2.2 Hallucinations and misinformation2.3 Breakdown of academic integrity2.4 Erosion of human connection3 Building education readiness for the age of AI3.1 AI readiness framework for education3.2 Principles of the framework design3.3 Application of the framework4 Signals of readiness for AI in education4.1 Enabling foundations4.2 Institutional capacities4.3 Pedagogical practices4.4 Learning experiencesConclusionContributorsEndnotes34 778101212141516181819202324283236404143Shaping the Future of Learning: Education Readiness for the Age of AI2
Executive summaryArtificial intelligence (AI) is fundamentally transforming how humans access, produce and apply knowledge. The central challenge lies not in AI adoption itself, but in the growing misalignment between rapidly changing technological availability, learning behaviours and education systems that are ill-equipped to accommodate them. Such transformation challenges the long-standing assumptions about individual learning, collective human capital development, the purpose of education and the value of human skills, particularly as investments in developing information technologies may soon outpace investments in developing human capital. AI adoption is happening from the bottom up, as students and educators incorporate these tools into daily learning without corresponding updates to curricula, assessments or governance. This creates structural tension: education systems are designed to evolve deliberately, prioritizing equity, trust and quality, while AI spreads rapidly and reshapes learning behaviours faster than systems can adapt. The implications extend beyond learning outcomes. AI challenges the core functions of education systems, including knowledge and skill development, assessment credibility, equitable access and the social and emotional foundations of learning.Learning outcomes will not be determined by technology itself, but...
