Understanding AI and education for the International Day of Education 2025

24 January marks the annual celebration of the International Day of Education. It represents the pivotal importance of education in the world, and advocates for education as a human right.

What is the International Day of Education?

Created by The United Nations General Assembly in 2018, the annual event highlights the necessity of education as a human right.

This day highlights education’s power and presence in our world, and provides guidance on how influential governing bodies can contribute to the conversations and take action. The focus of the day is to shed light on important matters and challenges relating to education.

International Day of Education is also the chance to show the transformative power of education and its supporting role in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN emphasise that education has the power to transform communities and people through learning fundamental skills.

Artificial intelligence and education

The theme changes each year to reflect one of the many aspects of our changing world, and the impact on global education.

This year’s theme represents the world’s ever-growing technological advancements, called ‘AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation’.

The increase of sophisticated technology and the rise of AI-generated content has had a great impact on education. The blurring of boundaries between human intention and machine-driven actions is progressing at a rapid speed.

By exploring both the challenges and opportunities we face with artificial intelligence, the 2025 pledge comes from training both teachers and students on a more responsible approach to adopting AI in an educational setting.

In a UNESCO article about this year’s International Day of Education, UNESCO’s Director General – Audrey Azoulay said: “This day is the occasion to reaffirm fundamental principles. Firstly, education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility. Secondly, education is the most powerful force in our hands to ensure significant improvements in health, to stimulate economic growth, to unlock the potential and innovation we need to build more resilient and sustainable societies. Lastly, we urgently need to call for collective action for education at a global level.”

International Day of Education puts the power of education at the forefront of important global conversations.