AI Observatory: Waypoints & Signals – Issue 9
Three bright spots in AI and education today and what it could mean for the future
AI is transforming education, and every day we are seeing more use cases emerging across the Global South. How can we ensure that, as we explore the possibilities of AI in education, its role remains both inclusive and equitable? Let’s look at some interesting signals of change from Nigeria, India and Latin America and what it could mean for the future of learning in the age of AI.
1. Training Students in Nigeria on Ethical AI Use
In Nigeria, MTN (a telecom company) is training students at St. Augustine College of Education on the ethical use of AI as part of their corporate social responsibility work [1]. This initiative is a step forward in preparing students to use AI responsibly, equipping them with the skills to navigate its complexities.
What this could mean for the future: as AI becomes increasingly ubiquitous, digital literacy and AI ethics will be core skills to help students navigate both how to learn and how to sift through content with a critical lens. We must be mindful of who gets access to such programs, because if it’s not universally available, there’s a risk of creating more invisible barriers for students to access and use AI safely and ethically. There may also be risks for communities and the planet.
2. AI Faculty Member in India – A New Kind of Teacher
In India, IIM Sambalpur is experimenting with AI faculty members, integrating AI into the teaching process [2]. This is an exciting development that shows the potential for AI to play an active role in education.
What this could mean for the future: as AI starts to take on more instructional responsibilities, we need to consider how it will complement, rather than replace, human educators. Teachers remain critical in fostering emotional intelligence, creativity, and ethical thinking—skills that AI cannot replicate. It’s important to strike a balance where AI enhances teaching, not replaces the human touch that makes education meaningful.
3. Latam GPT in Latin America – Culturally Grounded AI
In Latin America, CENIA (Chile’s state-run National Center for Artificial Intelligence) is developing Latam GPT, an AI language model tailored to the region’s cultural diversity and languages [3]. This initiative promises to make learning more relevant and inclusive by moving away from English-centric models.
What this could mean for the future: while the drive for contextually relevant models is exciting for accessibility for languages and cultural diversity, we need to be mindful that local AI models also reflect marginalised communities, especially those in rural or underserved areas.
What other signals are you spotting and where do you think it can lead? Let us know in the comments!
We’d love to hear from you! What’s been shaping your thinking on AI? Drop your thoughts (and reading recommendations) in the comments. Explore more from EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory.
EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is made possible with the support of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
