Educators, researchers, and policymakers from across the world have gathered in Samarkand, Uzbekistan for the 2025 General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
The annual global meeting is focused on one urgent question — how to prepare education systems for an age ruled by artificial intelligence.
Themed “The Future of Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” the conference has drawn delegates from every continent to discuss the intersection of technology, truth, and culture.
According to a statement obtained by TVC, the gathering seeks to redefine how societies teach, learn, and preserve human values amid the sweeping transformation of digital life.
Speakers warned that education systems risk falling behind in a world reshaped by AI, social media, and hyper-digitalization.
They noted that while technology has expanded access to knowledge, it has also flooded societies with misinformation and shortened students’ attention spans.
Balancing Innovation and Human Values
Professor Svein Stolen, one of the keynote speakers, urged countries to balance digital innovation with traditional learning values.
“Education is more than acquiring skills. It is about creating environments that encourage critical thinking, dialogue, and respect for diverse opinions,” he said. “While digital tools are essential, we must not lose sight of the classroom’s foundational role in nurturing empathy, tolerance, and peace.”
He cautioned that an overreliance on short-form content could weaken students’ ability to engage deeply with complex ideas.
Delegates representing youth advocates also called for a “diplomacy of truth” to counter cultural bias and misinformation online.
One professor noted that “truth is a global public good,” urging UNESCO to ensure that young people, especially in Africa, are not silenced by biased algorithms.
They pressed for stronger investments in “educational laboratories” — platforms that allow young innovators to co-create solutions and participate in global cooperation.
“African youth should feel part of a global community of creators,” the speaker said, calling for trust in young innovators and access to meaningful opportunities.
Gender, Open Science, and Global Collaboration
Another highlight of the discussions was the urgent need to promote gender equality in STEMM — Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine.
Participants emphasised the importance of mentorship and role models to inspire girls to pursue careers in science. “We must ensure that every girl believes she can become a scientist,” one delegate said. “UNESCO has a crucial role to play in creating those pathways.”
Delegates also promoted open science — a movement advocating free access to research data and findings. They argued that making science publicly accessible would strengthen transparency, accelerate innovation, and promote shared global progress.
Universities, they said, must remain sanctuaries of dialogue, discovery, and cultural understanding — values central to UNESCO’s mission since its founding after World War II.
The session ended with a sober reflection on shared humanity in an age of machines.
“What keeps us human is our collective will to speak, learn, and connect,” the closing statement read. “Through truth, education, and compassion, we preserve our world not merely through declarations, but through meaningful actions.”
As artificial intelligence transforms classrooms and consciousness alike, UNESCO’s call was clear — education must not only adapt but also defend the very essence of being human.
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