Are Europe’s schools adequately preparing pupils for the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution? According to a new analysis, European countries are experiencing a growing digital divide.

GoStudent, an education technology business that provides individual tutoring, polled 5,581 children aged 10 to 16 and their parents, as well as 60 teachers from six European countries: Austria, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

More than half of the students (54%) indicated their interest in beginning to learn with AI, as per the survey. This interest is linked to the increasing use of AI tools by the general population, including chatbots like ChatGPT.

“Kids are eager to explore subjects like AI and VR that will help them in the future. They are disappointed that they can’t access this information right away,” stated Felix Ohswald, co-founder and CEO of GoStudent.

Students and parents identified technology development, including AI and virtual and augmented reality, as a key study topic for the future.

The report highlighted that 35% of children feel that school is not equipping them with the necessary skills for their dream job. It was observed that there were variations in technology access among European countries.

Covering Digital Gaps

The report pointed out variations in IT resources at schools across Europe. In Austria and Germany, over 40% of students have access to a tablet, while the percentages are 38% in the UK, 35% in Spain, 25% in Italy, and 20% in France.

There is a similar pattern with computers: nearly 7 out of 10 children in the UK and Spain use them at school, compared to 34% in Italy and 49% in France.

“This is creating a technology gap that could widen the educational disparities for underprivileged children,” GoStudent stated.

Last year, in April, the European Commission emphasized the importance of enhancing digital education and promoting digital skills.

The EU countries were encouraged to promote high-quality informatics in schools, prioritize the development of digital skills for adults, and tackle shortages in information technology professions through inclusive strategies.

Based on the report by GoStudent, only 50% of the teachers surveyed use digital apps on a regular basis, even though more than 90% acknowledge their effectiveness.

It has been difficult to access technology, especially given the worsening teacher shortages in Europe as a result of the pandemic. The shortages are particularly acute in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as highlighted in an EU report.

During a recent education technology conference in London, various companies showcased products designed to educate children about technology. Some companies expressed the belief that it was important to educate children about AI.

Last year, an article by UNICEF’s digital education global lead highlighted the increasing focus on the effects of AI on education, pointing out that the technology brings both advantages and obstacles.

Ensuring that AI technologies can assist children in emergencies and those outside of the formal school system is a top priority, according to UNICEF’s Frank van Cappelle. He emphasized the importance of not replacing teachers and making technology accessible to all.