Generative AI (GenAI) is reshaping the educational landscape, beyond teaching and learning. Unlike earlier waves of education technology, much of GenAI is freely accessible and largely used beyond institutional control due to its intuitiveness and versatility. The OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026 analyses emerging research that suggests GenAI can support learning when guided by clear teaching principles. However, if designed or used without pedagogical guidance, outsourcing tasks to GenAI simply enhances performance with no real learning gains. The Outlook highlights the benefits of GenAI as a tutor, partner and assistant, and synthesises experts’ evidence and insights on the design criteria that make it work for education.
OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026
Exploring Effective Uses of Generative AI in Education
Introduction
37%
of lower secondary teachers used AI for their job in 2024 (TALIS 2024)
57%
of lower secondary teachers agree that AI helps to write or improve lesson plans
72%
of lower secondary teachers believe AI can harm academic integrity by letting students pass off work as their own
Successfully performing a task with GenAI does not automatically lead to learning
Emerging evidence suggests that while general-purpose GenAI tools can enhance students’ performance on tasks, they do not necessarily lead to learning gains. Offloading cognitive tasks to general-purpose chatbots creates risks of metacognitive laziness and disengagement that may deter skill acquisition in the long run. Several studies indicate that although students with access to general-purpose GenAI tools produce higher-quality outputs than their peers, this advantage disappears – and sometimes reverses – in exams when access is removed. In contrast, educational GenAI tools designed or used with an intentional pedagogical purpose tend to show sustained improvements in learning.
Using GenAI with pedagogical intent can improve learning and foster skills like critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
GenAI can improve learning gains if used with a clear pedagogical purpose, or when teaching strategies are redesigned to adapt to its availability. For example, in collaborative learning scenarios aligned with learning science, GenAI tools can increase student knowledge or strengthen their argumentation skills. GenAI can also make traditional digital tools more engaging and efficient. For example, Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) powered by GenAI can transform rigidly scripted digital tutors into digital pedagogical agents capable of questioning, nudging and shifting strategies through natural, dialogue-based interactions.
Educational GenAI can augment human teaching and tutoring while preserving teachers’ agency
Robust research evidence demonstrates that inexperienced tutors can enhance the quality of their tutoring and improve student learning outcomes by using educational GenAI tools. By integrating teacher expertise into the design process, GenAI tools can amplify teachers' capacity to teach, creating benefits that exceed what either teachers or AI can achieve independently. Co-designing GenAI tools with teachers and end users is one way to ensure they deliver educational value.
GenAI can boost scientific research and help streamline institutional operations
GenAI is increasingly supporting scientific research, which could be transformative for education research. For example, since the launch of ChatGPT, an increasing share of researchers are turning to GenAI tools for feedback on their papers – and for all steps of the research process. School administrators too see their tasks transformed: GenAI can streamline system and school management by improving a wide range of backend workflows. It can support the design of standardised assessment items, review curricular alignments, and tag and classify educational resources. Well-tuned, it also permits 24/7 good study and career guidance.
What can governments and other education stakeholders do?
As general-purpose GenAI tools are not designed specifically for learning, education systems should incentivise the development of tools that aim to enhance teaching and learning. Investing in educational GenAI grounded in learning science, co-created with teachers and learners, and supported by rigorous research on their effectiveness can open new possibilities for educational improvement. Governments and education stakeholders should also co-operate to research beneficial uses of GenAI in education.
Jurisdictions should ensure that policy and regulatory frameworks protect learners and support learning while enabling innovation. Combined with ongoing stakeholder dialogue, clear expectations on privacy, safety, bias testing, age-appropriateness, transparency and alignment with educational objectives can create an enabling environment for the trustworthy and meaningful use of GenAI in education.
Jurisdictions should ensure equitable digital infrastructure and support (devices, connectivity, digital resources and professional learning opportunities) so that all students and teachers can benefit from GenAI. Providing curriculum-aligned GenAI resources, alternative solutions where divides persist, and sustained professional learning, enables effective, inclusive and meaningful uses of GenAI in education.
How is Generative AI impacting education?
OECD research findings suggest that Generative AI can support learning when guided by clear teaching principles. However, when designed or used without pedagogical support, outsourcing tasks to GenAI will only enhance student performance without leading to real learning gains. The OECD’s latest Digital Education Outlook presents emerging evidence on its impact in classrooms across the world.
