The 2026 HEPI/Kortext Student Generative AI Survey (third annual) finds that 95% of UK undergraduates now use AI β up from 66% in 2024. Yet universities remain deeply polarised: encouraging and discouraging AI in almost equal measure. Students are navigating this alone.
Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT) released its Generative AI Guidelines version 2.0 in December 2024, moving from caution to careful adoption. With 50,000 teachers trained and a Digital DX Roadmap in place, Japan is building a human-centred, step-by-step AI education model β with the next curriculum update due in 2026.
On May 11, 2026, the EU Education Council adopted landmark conclusions on AI in education. Teachers are not targets for replacement β they are guides, mentors, and critical thinkers. Why did the EU make this declaration now?
The OECD's Digital Education Outlook 2026 gives a clear but conditional answer: generative AI supports learning only when guided by sound pedagogical intent. Without it, AI improves task completion but not real skills.
The EU set a bold target: 80% of citizens with basic digital skills by 2030. But at the current pace, Europe will only reach 60% β a 20-point shortfall. What is the EU doing to close the gap?