Education has always been shaped by innovation. From the chalkboard to the computer, each new technology has redefined the way teachers instruct and students learn. Today, a powerful new force is transforming classrooms across the world: it is a profound shift reshaping the foundations of teaching and learning. [1]
One of the most significant changes GenAI brings is the ability to provide personalised learning at scale. For years, educators have sought to tailor lessons to each student’s unique pace, strengths and challenges.
In classrooms with dozens of students, that goal was often unrealistic. GenAI changes this dynamic by analysing student performance and generating customised exercises, explanations, or practice mat
erials with teacher over-sight. A learner who struggles with mathematics might receive AI-generated visual guides and step-by-step problem-solving support, while an advanced student might be challenged with enrichment tasks that stretch their skills. By adapting to the learner in real time, GenAI helps ensure that no student is left behind.[2]
The role of teachers is also evolving in exciting ways. Far from replacing educators, GenAI functions as a tireless assistant, taking on repetitive tasks so teachers can focus on higher. The areas where human presence and empathy are irreplaceable. In this sense, AI is not a substitute for teachers but a partner that enhances their ability to inspire and guide while retaining professional judgement. [3]
Classrooms are also becoming more inclusive thanks to GenAI. One of the most powerful aspects of this technology is its ability to break down barriers of language and accessibility. Real-time translation allows students from different linguistic backgrounds to learn in their own language without delay. Students with learning differences can access simplified explanations or multimodal content that suits their needs for learners with disabilities, AI-generated captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions ensure equal access to knowledge when aligned with accessibility standards and reviewed by educators. Education becomes more equitable when every student, regardless of background or ability, has the opportunity to participate fully.
Beyond accessibility, GenAI is fuelling creativity and curiosity in unprecedented ways. Students are no longer limited to consuming information; they can co-create with AI. Whether writing imaginative stories, designing digital art, simulating historical events, or conducting virtual science experiments, learners are encouraged to explore, test, and innovate. This process not only deepens understanding but also builds essential skills for the future—critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to evaluate information. Importantly, it also teaches students to question and analyse AI outputs, preparing them to navigate a world where discerning truth from fabrication will be a vital skill.
Assessment is another area undergoing transformation. Traditional exams provide only a snapshot of student knowledge, often failing to capture deeper understanding or progress. GenAI enables dynamic and continuous assessment that adapts as students respond. It can deliver instant feedback, highlight strengths and weaknesses, and recommend targeted next steps. Teachers gain richer insights into their students’ learning journeys, while students receive the kind of personalized feedback that supports growth rather than judgement. This shift makes evaluation a tool for learning rather than a mere checkpoint when used transparently and with human oversight.
The classroom of the future must also prepare students for a world where AI is central to every industry. Digital and AI literacy is no longer optional; it is essential. GenAI provides an environment where students can learn to collaborate with AI as a tool rather than fear it as a threat. They engage with ethical questions around bias, misinformation, and data privacy, gaining not only technical competence but also the moral framework to navigate an AI-driven society. By working alongside AI, students develop future-ready skills that will give them a competitive edge in the workforce.[4] [5]
The benefits of GenAI extend beyond instruction. Schools themselves are beginning to adopt AI for administrative efficiency. Scheduling, resource allocation, marking, reporting, and even parent communication can be streamlined through automation. This frees up time and resources that can be redirected towards enriching the student experience. When technology handles the logistical burdens, schools can focus on their true mission: cultivating knowledge, skills, and human potential –with strong data-protection safeguards in place.
However, these opportunities come with challenges that cannot be ignored. Protecting student data is paramount in an era of increasing digital surveillance. Bias in AI algorithms, if left unchecked, can reinforce inequality rather than reduce it. The risk of over-reliance on automation raises questions about the loss of critical thinking skills. Most pressing of all is the issue of equity, since not all schools and communities have equal access to advanced technologies. To truly transform education, leaders must ensure that the benefits of GenAI are shared fairly and responsibly and governed by clear policies, teacher training, and accountability aligned with emerging EU rules such as the AI Act.
What emerges is a vision of education where technology and humanity are not in competition but in collaboration. GenAI has the potential to revolutionize learning, but it must be guided with care. Teachers, policymakers, parents, and technologists must work together to set ethical standards, provide adequate training, and design systems that place human growth at the center –drawing on professional development frameworks such as DigCompEdu. [6]
The future classroom is no longer a place defined by textbooks, blackboards, and standardized tests. It is an ecosystem where human creativity meets machine intelligence, where personalization and inclusivity are the norm, and where students are equipped not just with knowledge, but with the skills to thrive in an uncertain future. GenAI is not the end of traditional education—it is the next chapter, one where technology empowers both teachers and learners to reach their fullest potential. GenAI4ED project supports this transition with open resources and training to help schools adopt GenAI safety, ethically and effectively.
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Authors: Iliana Kleitsogianni, Theodora Giatagana – The Found.ation
[1] UNESCO. (2023, updated 2025). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/guidance–generative–ai–education–and–research
[2] OECD. (2024). The potential impact of artificial intelligence on equity and inclusion in education. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-potential-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-equity-and-inclusion-in-education_15df715b-en.html
[3] Education Endowment Foundation. (2025, May 12). New trial will find out if Oak’s AI-powered lesson-planning tool can reduce teacher workload while maintaining quality. https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/news/new–trial–ai–powered–lesson–planning
[4] European Commission. (2024). The EU Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). https://digital–strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/regulatory–framework–ai
[5] OECD. (2025). What should teachers teach and students learn in a future of powerful AI? (OECD Education Spotlights No. 20). https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/what–should–teachers–teach–and–students–learn–in–a–future–of–powerful–ai_ca56c7d6-en.html
[6] European Commission Joint Research Centre. (2017). European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators: DigCompEdu. Publications Office of the European Union. https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC107466