Three months into AI Observatory’s Ministries Challenge I’m motivated by solving our own problem”, says Shefat Islam, a Research Officer at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education’s (DSHE) Research and Innovation Division in Bangladesh, “by finding out what are the root causes of students dropping out [of school] at secondary level. I want to know, how can we support…
Across education systems worldwide, the appetite for innovation is growing, but the funding to support it is increasingly tightening. In the second episode of the EdTech Hub Spotlight Series, “Who Pays? The Future of EdTech Financing,” EdTech Hub researcher Neema Jayasinghe speaks with two experts who bring both global experience and deep regional context: Rose Sagun, EdTech Specialist at the…
How might we move from one-off partnerships to structured, long-term alliances between governments, industry, and academia? Multi-stakeholder collaboration is considered an important cornerstone of responsible AI in education (OECD, 2023; World Bank), but sustaining those collaborations can be a challenge. EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is exploring how ministries of education can align partnerships – which means driving equitable outcomes through…
This blog focuses on key findings from ‘Sprint 0’ – the first of a series of blogs that will follow our journey, sandboxing key education challenges with our partners across Southeast Asia. Through this series, we’ll unpack how we are learning by doing: testing ideas for Southeast Asian education challenges through real-world experiments, be it in the realm of policy…
How might we create policies and programmes that enable the use of AI in education while protecting learners and national priorities? Realising the benefits of AI in education, while managing its risks, calls for collaboration across public, private, and civic actors, supported by strong public oversight and safeguards (Molina et al., 2024; World Bank, 2024). As ‘Big Tech’ companies expand…
At EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory, we are creating a space where teachers in low- and middle-income countries can shape how AI is used in education. Our goal is not only to amplify their experiences, concerns, and hopes, but to turn them into action. Through our Teacher-in-the-Loop survey, we asked teachers for their views on AI in education, and more than…
Let’s talk partnerships! What’s working? What do real partnerships look like? What’s evolving? In our first episode of the new EdTech Hub Spotlight Series, we explore what makes partnerships in education technology truly inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. This new series brings you in-depth conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and policymakers — bringing lessons and experiences across the region. At a time…
How might we connect and automate governance processes to overcome capacity gaps and gain efficiency and learning? Traditional ways of tackling problems in the public sector are being challenged in an era of rapid change (Bjarnason et al., 2024), while skills shortages in education systems remain pronounced in many low- and middle-income countries (UNESCO, 2024). EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is…
How might we optimise ‘behind the scenes’ tasks at every level of the education system? Governments and administrators are increasingly using AI to improve efficiency (OECD, 2024; Rahman & Freeman, 2025). Yet, the challenge lies in integrating these technologies in ways that build trust, safeguard data, and align with human values. EdTech Hub’s AI Observatory is exploring how ministries of…
How might we enhance education by using AI to make school management and processes more efficient and effective? The conversation on AI in education has focused on classrooms and learning tools — and that’s a good thing. But we’re missing another frontier: the power of AI to make the administrative systems that support education smarter, faster, and more effective. EdTech…
