he global race to shape AI’s future is defined by diverging national strategies. In the United States, AI innovation is led by the private sector in a largely deregulated environment. China’s state–driven approach prioritizes AI for economic and military applications, while Europe’s regulation–first model focuses on ethics, transparency, and compliance. These differing paths not only shape AI’s development but also influence global power dynamics, making it increasingly difficult to find common ground for responsible AI governance.
If governments cannot align, where else can we turn to establish best practices? One promising area is education, which features several forward–thinking initiatives that present a rare opportunity for global alignment—even while national AI policies remain fragmented.
- Establishing international collaboration through forums like Salzburg Global to develop best practices and ethical guidelines for AI use in education.
- Bridging the policy–education gap by investing in national AI literacy initiatives.
- Encouraging teacher–led AI experimentation to ensure AI tools meet real classroom needs.
As a Salzburg Global Fellow, I am involved in the Future of Teaching initiative which brings together global thought leaders to explore how we can maximize the benefits while reducing the risks of AI. These discussions stress the need for teachers to be equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and tools to integrate AI effectively to benefit students.
At the national level, the UK is taking proactive steps to prepare educators for AI. As an advisor to the EdTech Evidence Board, I work with diverse stakeholders to assess AI’s impact on education. The UK government is also investing in AI training for teachers, ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, human–led instruction.
Through grassroots initiatives at schools, colleges, and universities, we must equip individuals with AI literacy—not just technical skills but also critical thinking to navigate an era of AI-generated misinformation. Teacher–led AI initiatives can create a workforce that understands and engages with AI responsibly, sharing best practices and developing real-world use cases of practical and responsible use.
At a time when AI’s impact on jobs, governance, and society remains uncertain, education offers a rare space for consensus-building. AI is already transforming learning—the real challenge is ensuring that teachers, students, and societies are prepared for what comes next.
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How education can make AI policies more practical
Image via Adobe Stock.
April 1, 2025
As national strategies on AI development diverge, it will be increasingly difficult to find common ground on responsible AI governance. With national AI policies fragmented, we can turn to education initiatives to find common ground on the future of AI, writes Joysy John.
T
he global race to shape AI’s future is defined by diverging national strategies. In the United States, AI innovation is led by the private sector in a largely deregulated environment. China’s state–driven approach prioritizes AI for economic and military applications, while Europe’s regulation–first model focuses on ethics, transparency, and compliance. These differing paths not only shape AI’s development but also influence global power dynamics, making it increasingly difficult to find common ground for responsible AI governance.
If governments cannot align, where else can we turn to establish best practices? One promising area is education, which features several forward–thinking initiatives that present a rare opportunity for global alignment—even while national AI policies remain fragmented.
- Establishing international collaboration through forums like Salzburg Global to develop best practices and ethical guidelines for AI use in education.
- Bridging the policy–education gap by investing in national AI literacy initiatives.
- Encouraging teacher–led AI experimentation to ensure AI tools meet real classroom needs.
As a Salzburg Global Fellow, I am involved in the Future of Teaching initiative which brings together global thought leaders to explore how we can maximize the benefits while reducing the risks of AI. These discussions stress the need for teachers to be equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and tools to integrate AI effectively to benefit students.
At the national level, the UK is taking proactive steps to prepare educators for AI. As an advisor to the EdTech Evidence Board, I work with diverse stakeholders to assess AI’s impact on education. The UK government is also investing in AI training for teachers, ensuring AI enhances, rather than replaces, human–led instruction.
Through grassroots initiatives at schools, colleges, and universities, we must equip individuals with AI literacy—not just technical skills but also critical thinking to navigate an era of AI-generated misinformation. Teacher–led AI initiatives can create a workforce that understands and engages with AI responsibly, sharing best practices and developing real-world use cases of practical and responsible use.
At a time when AI’s impact on jobs, governance, and society remains uncertain, education offers a rare space for consensus-building. AI is already transforming learning—the real challenge is ensuring that teachers, students, and societies are prepared for what comes next.
