Stefania Giannini (UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education) on AI and the Future of Education

On January 2025, Stefania Giannini (UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education), gave an interview to El Diario Vasco for the 90th anniversary edition of this spanish newspaper. She talked about the use of AI and technology in the classroom and the future of education.

Giannini emphasized the importance of safety and mental health in the schools: “They need to make health, safety, and well-being a priority, and for this, they need more resources—both human and financial. This means training teachers to identify and address mental health issues, investing in counselors, and creating safe spaces for all students”. Also, about how we need to teach students how to use technological devices, such as smartphones: “Sooner or later, students will be exposed to these devices, and education should teach them how to use them safely and responsibly”.

A final reflection on AI by Stefania Giannini: “what matters is taking a human-centered approach to integrating AI in education—equipping learners with the skills and competencies to thrive in a digital age, and through education, developing AI technologies that protect and expand our diverse knowledge systems, rather than narrowing them”.

Read the full interview, here.