Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant prospect in the world of education. According to the new OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026 report, published by the OECD, generative AI tools are already transforming the learning habits of millions of students and gradually changing the roles of teachers, schools, and education systems1. In just a few months, tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude have become part of students’ daily routines, whether for homework, studying, research, or understanding complex concepts.
This acceleration is forcing education systems to grapple with rapid change that they are still struggling to fully address. However, the OECD report does not predict the disappearance of schools or the replacement of teachers by artificial intelligence. On the contrary, it shows that AI is gradually shifting the focus of education; access to knowledge is no longer the main challenge, since information is now instantly available. The priority, therefore, becomes the ability to understand, verify, organize, and use this knowledge critically.
When access to knowledge ceases to be an advantage
For decades, schools have played a central role in providing access to knowledge. Teachers conveyed content that students could not easily access elsewhere. Today, this model has been profoundly transformed. According to UNESCO, more than 90% of students in developed countries use the internet as their primary source of academic information, while generative AI tools are experiencing unprecedented growth in educational applications2. The OECD also notes that a growing majority of students are already using AI assistants to rephrase lessons, explain exercises, or produce summaries1.
This shift is transforming the very nature of learning. Raw knowledge is becoming accessible to everyone, but that does not mean understanding follows automatically. The real challenge is shifting toward more complex skills, such as critical thinking, analytical ability, the ability to prioritize information, and verifying sources. AI can speed up access to answers, but it does not replace the intellectual process necessary to develop independent thinking. It is precisely this human dimension that schools must now strengthen.
The Rise of More Self-Directed Learning
The OECD report shows that AI is fostering the emergence of new forms of learning that are more personalized and self-directed. Students now use these tools as tutors capable of explaining difficult concepts, suggesting tailored exercises, or rephrasing a lesson to match their skill level. In elementary school, AI can support reading or comprehension of simple texts. In high school, it guides students through solving problems step by step. At the university level, it is already being used to organize research, produce summaries, or explore complex concepts.
This personalization represents a significant opportunity for certain types of students. According to McKinsey, students who regularly use AI tools report saving an average of 30% of the time they spend on studying3. However, the OECD also highlights the risks associated with this apparent autonomy. Overreliance on these tools can reduce cognitive effort and create a false sense of understanding. For example, a study conducted by Stanford reveals that nearly 40% of students who frequently use AI overestimate their actual mastery of the subjects they are studying4. Getting an answer does not necessarily mean you have learned.
The role of the teacher is evolving, but remains central
In light of this transformation, the OECD report highlights a key point: AI does not diminish the importance of teachers; on the contrary, it reinforces their role as mentors. The transmission of knowledge remains important, but it is no longer sufficient in an environment where students have instant access to a virtually unlimited amount of information. Teachers are gradually becoming guides capable of helping students contextualize content, develop critical thinking skills, and understand the limitations of digital tools.
In educational practice, AI is already beginning to change the way teachers organize their work. According to several recent studies, nearly 50% of teachers report using AI tools to prepare their lessons or customize certain educational content5. The time savings can be significant, particularly when creating teaching materials or adapting exercises. However, the OECD cautions that automation must not lead to the dehumanization of education. The teacher remains the primary educational, intellectual, and ethical guide in the learning relationship.
A transformation affecting the entire education system
The impact of artificial intelligence extends far beyond the classroom. The OECD estimates that AI could transform educational systems at every level, from elementary school through higher education. In elementary school, the primary focus remains on mastering foundational knowledge and developing basic cognitive skills. In high school, the focus shifts more toward reasoning, analysis, and structured thinking. At the university level, intellectual autonomy and the ability to work with complex tools become central.
However, this transformation could exacerbate certain existing inequalities. Not all students have access to the same tools, equipment, or educational support. In France, nearly 15% of students do not have access to suitable personal digital devices, while the digital divide remains much wider in certain parts of the world6. AI thus risks creating a growing gap between students who are able to use these technologies critically and those who become dependent on them or who lack access to them.
The Risks of Cognitive Dependence
One of the most sensitive issues raised by the OECD concerns the risk of cognitive dependency. When students routinely rely on artificial intelligence to do their thinking, writing, or problem-solving for them, they may gradually lose certain analytical or memory skills. This issue becomes particularly important during the early years of learning, when cognitive effort plays a vital role in intellectual development.
Several recent studies have already shown potential effects on memory and attention. Research published in *Nature* indicates that excessive use of digital assistants can reduce information retention by up to 20% in certain learning contexts7. The OECD therefore emphasizes the need for a guided use of AI, where the tool should support thinking without replacing it. The goal is not to eliminate intellectual effort, but to better support it.
The issue of assessment is becoming a key concern
The rise of generative tools is also challenging traditional assessment methods. When a student can write an essay, solve a problem, or generate a summary with the help of AI, how can we measure their actual skills? This question is already prompting many institutions to reevaluate their teaching practices and assessment methods.
The OECD report highlights the need to develop forms of assessment that place greater emphasis on reasoning, oral skills, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. In this context, teachers also become guardians of intellectual integrity. Their role is no longer limited to correcting content, but extends to guiding students in the responsible, transparent, and critical use of artificial intelligence tools.
Toward “AI Literacy” in Education
One of the report’s key messages centers on the concept of “AI literacy”—that is, the ability to understand how artificial intelligence works, its limitations, and its impacts. According to the OECD, this skill could become as fundamental as digital literacy or information literacy.
Teaching students about AI isn’t just about teaching them how to use generative tools. It’s also about developing their ability to detect bias, verify information, understand potential errors in models, and reflect on the ethical implications of these technologies. AI thus becomes a subject of study as much as it is a teaching tool.
A school that has been transformed, yet remains deeply human
The OECD report does not paint a picture of a future in which artificial intelligence replaces schools or teachers. On the contrary, it shows that the rise of AI underscores the importance of human skills—critical thinking, creativity, comprehension, judgment, and the ability to interpret information. In a world where answers are instantly accessible, the true value of education lies increasingly in the ability to think.
School isn’t disappearing; it’s evolving. It’s becoming a place where we learn not only facts, but also how to use them wisely in an environment saturated with information and automated tools. Artificial intelligence can transform learning, but it cannot replace intellectual effort, human guidance, or the gradual development of independent thinking.
Learn more
The evolving use of artificial intelligence in education isn’t limited to tools; it also challenges the educational and economic models of the school system. On a related topic, check out our article “What if AI forced us to stop paying teachers by the hour?”, which analyzes how AI could profoundly transform the organization of educational work, the role of teachers, and the ways in which skills are valued.Footnotes
References
1. OECD. (2026). OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026.
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_062a7394-en.html
2. UNESCO. (2024). Digital Learning Trends.
https://www.unesco.org
3. McKinsey. (2025). AI in Teaching and Learning.
https://www.mckinsey.com
4. Stanford University. (2024). AI and Student Learning Study.
https://www.stanford.edu
5. McKinsey. (2025). AI Adoption in Education.
https://www.mckinsey.com
6. INSEE. (2024). Digital Access in France.
https://www.insee.fr
7. Nature. (2023). Digital tools and memory retention.
https://www.nature.com