AI now – A new horizon for education

Since the launch of ChatGPT, the question of Artificial Intelligence’s role in our society has become more urgent than ever (see AI Watch). While some view AI as merely an evolutionary step in technological progress, its recent, rapid advancements present a fundamentally revolutionary shift and following a Bitcom Study, particularly for education where 65% students in Germany use AI for school purposes. The potential of AI to transform learning, teaching and even our understanding of knowledge acquisition is immense, yet it also harbours significant risks of misuse and toxic effects if not approached with care and foresight.

Navigating the dual nature of AI in education

Achieving an education system that is equitable, effective and with schools that prepare learners for a complex future requires a deep engagement with AI. Two reasons:

1. The disruptive potential of AI for education
2. The necessity of preparing students for an AI-shaped future

Both underpin the urgent need for a nuanced approach to AI in education, which the Robert Bosch Stiftung, in collaboration with the Stanford Graduate School of Education led by Prof. Dr. Victor Lee, is actively addressing through its joint programme “M.E.T.A. – Maximising Effective Teaching AI“.

Revolutionary potential undermines traditional pedagogies

Advancing the common good is at the heart of education. For the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the words of its founder, Robert Bosch – “Be human and respect human dignity” – resonate deeply within the educational context. The advent of powerful AI tools, particularly Large Language Models, has fundamentally challenged traditional pedagogies. Rote memorisation, standardised assessments and one-size-fits-all teaching methods are becoming increasingly obsolete in an AI-augmented world. If students can access instant, comprehensive answers through AI, education must shift its focus. Now more than ever, we need to foster critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills—the skills needed to prepare students for the future.

This necessitates a revolutionary rethinking of what education means. Merely integrating AI as a digital textbook or an advanced calculator simply misses the point. The true revolution lies in how AI can facilitate highly individualised learning paths, provide immediate feedback, automate administrative tasks and even serve as a co-creator in the learning process. Without addressing these systemic shifts, educational institutions risk becoming irrelevant for the society, unable to equip learners with the competencies needed for a rapidly changing world. As pointed out by the project description from the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Stanford University, “Since the publication of ChatGPT, language-based artificial intelligence has brought about fundamental changes in the way we work and learn – including in schools.” Achieving ambitious educational goals – such as fostering genuine understanding, ethical reasoning and future-ready skills competencies – it could be harder, more costly and in parts even impossible if we are not also addressing the profound transformation AI brings.

The challenges AI brings to the classroom

Nonetheless AI’s integration into education comes with serious risks. Recent studies reveal alarming trends: The biggest threats to students include psychological stress, lack of equal opportunities and social conflicts. There is a lack of well-being in school (e.g., evidenced by the KiGGS Study – Study on the Health of Children and Adolescents in Germany). Teachers, in turn, feel challenged by time constraints, heterogeneity and psychological stress. There is an urgent need for support services for students, as well as further training and structural relief for teachers (see, for example, OECD 2025 “Education in a glance”).

The “M.E.T.A.-Training AI” directly confronts these challenges. By training teacher trainers to effectively integrate AI, the programme aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to leverage AI’s benefits. This proactive approach focuses on building a strong network of skilled educators and fostering meaningful lessons with and about AI – in the end to create a value add in learning with AI.

Scaling impact: Empowering teacher trainers for a future-ready education system

To ensure widespread impact and systemic change, the “M.E.T.A.-Training AI” programme, launched in September 2024, adopts a scalable approach. In its first training cycle, 30 teacher trainers from Germany were selected and delegated by the respective state institutes responsible for teacher education in the German federal states. Each of these highly influential teacher trainers reaches up to 1,000 teachers annually, creating a powerful multiplier effect. The core objective of the programme is to equip these participants with knowledge and practical know-how for integrating AI effectively into the classroom. The state institutes maintain close contact with the project and efforts are underway to build a sustainable network of communities of practice that will continue beyond the programme’s initial phase. This collaborative spirit also aims to foster digital literacy and a deeper understanding of co-construction among educators.

The “M.E.T.A.-Training AI” programme focusses on equipping trainers with the knowledge and skills to deal with AI and empowers them to act as multipliers, sharing their knowledge and skills with teachers. The goal is to integrate AI-based tools and applications into classrooms, creating dynamic and interactive learning environments that enable personalised support and optimise learning processes for students. The project aims to deliver lasting, positive change in education and unlock the added value of AI in teaching. After successfully completing the first training cycle in September, the second cohort of teacher trainers has now begun. Within 1 year, the programme plans to train 30 teacher trainers, who are expected to reach over about 1,000 teachers across Germany in the next two years.

AI as a powerful new cultural revolution

AI is here to stay. The question is not whether we use it, but how. If we fail to address its risks, we risk undermining the very purpose of education: to empower students to think, create and solve problems in a world that technology alone cannot fix. AI represents a fundamental shift in how we process information and solve problems. When deployed ethically in education, it can help create more personalised, effective learning environments. To achieve this, we must equip the next generation of students with the skills to use AI responsibly and creatively.