AI Observatory: Waypoints & Signals – Issue 5
State of the Art: AI for Bureaucratic Innovation in Education
AI is transforming education—both in the classroom and beyond. For governments, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), the challenge is to find smarter ways to improve education with limited budgets. Increased spending alone doesn’t improve learning, but how money is spent can make a difference [1]. This is where evidence-based decision-making can make a real impact when it comes to AI in education. With the right tools, there are possibilities to help to streamline processes, improve decision-making, and maximize available resources.
This week on Waypoint Wednesday, we’re exploring how AI is already enhancing education systems in LMICs, how it’s beginning to disrupt traditional models, and what it could mean for the future of learning. With evidence and lessons from strategic implementation, these cases can potentially help others aiming to make education more efficient, equitable, and accessible for all.
[1] The high Cost of Low Education outcomes Hanushek+Woessmann 2010 OECD
Upgrade: early integration into existing systems.
Right now, AI is enhancing the systems we already have (see some examples here). In the short term, we’re seeing more teacher training programs designed to help educators use AI tools effectively, with a focus on how to do so responsibly [1, 2, 3, 4]. Countries like Brazil [5], Indonesia [6], and Peru [2] are already rolling out programs to give teachers the skills they need to make AI work in their classrooms. AI is also taking over some of the administrative burden, like managing school resources or helping to reduce teachers’ workload on routine tasks. [7] This is freeing up time for what really matters—teaching.
[1] The Star, 17 May 2025 [2] LaRepublica.pe, 13 May 2025 [3] Diantara Gibran, dan Didukung 12 Parpol, Ahmad Luthfi-Taj Yasin Mendaftar Ke KPU Jateng – Suara Merdeka Wawasan, 17 May 2025 [4] VietNamNet News, 12 May 2025 [5] Poder360, 18 May 2025
[6] Media Indonesia – News & Views – , 18 May 2025 [7] Borneo Post Online, 16 May 2025
Disrupt: scaling and change is embedded in education systems.
Looking ahead a little further, we’re starting to see AI disrupt traditional education models. New ways of assessing students are emerging, using AI to help evaluate skills and progress in more flexible, personalised ways. As one recent study notes, “AI-driven assessment systems have the potential to provide real-time, personalised feedback that supports adaptive learning and more accurate measurement of student competencies, enabling education systems to move beyond one-size-fits-all exams towards more meaningful evaluations.” [1]
Transform: education is designed for a world where AI is a part of life.
Looking even further down the road, AI has the potential to completely transform how we deliver education as we know it. Current education systems could evolve differently with AI such as lifelong learning that is available anytime & anywhere and helping people continually upskill beyond formal schooling. As UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning notes, “AI and lifelong learning are converging to make education continuous, accessible, and learner-centred.”[1] This could be a game-changer, giving people from all walks of life access to the learning and skills they need to succeed in a fast-changing world.
[1] UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, March 19, 2024
Looking ahead: the path we’re on
As people start to experiment on using AI for education delivery, we are at the beginning of exploring both the transformative potential and understanding the potential risks. In the short term, it’s about making things more efficient. In the medium term, it’s about shifting how we learn and teach—making it more personalised, flexible, and accessible. In the long term, AI could completely change how we think about education, opening up new possibilities for learning everywhere and also potentially creating new divides and silos.
As budgets get tighter and pressure mounts to deliver better results, AI offers an opportunity to do more with less. It’s not just about using technology—it’s about making education work better for everyone. We’re excited to keep exploring how AI can be used to build more effective, equitable education systems and make a real difference in people’s lives.
Let’s keep the conversation going—what are you seeing, learning, and discovering as AI makes its mark on education? Talk to us.teacher-in-the-loop initiatives, we can ensure that AI serves as a tool for educators, not a replacement, driving more impactful and inclusive learning experiences.
We’d love to hear from you! What’s been shaping your thinking on AI? Drop your thoughts (and reading recommendations) over on LinkedIn.
