Artificial intelligence is reshaping school education at an unprecedented pace. In 2025, 86% of education organizations adopted generative AI. And it's the highest rate across industries. The global AI in education market reached approximately $7.57-8.35 billion, up 46% from 2024. UNESCO’s 2025 report, AI and Education: Protecting the Rights of Learners, stresses a human-centred, rights-based approach to harness opportunities while safeguarding equity, privacy, and learning integrity amid risks like the digital divide affecting 2.6 billion people without internet access.

Opportunities: Empowering Personalized and Inclusive Learning

AI enables adaptive tools that tailor content to individual needs, boosting engagement and outcomes in diverse classrooms. In primary settings, AI-driven platforms provide instant feedback and adjust difficulty in real time, helping young learners build confidence and mastery. For instance, multilingual environments benefit from AI language support that bridges gaps faster than traditional methods alone. Under-explored yet powerful is AI’s role in supporting neurodiverse students through customized sensory and pacing adjustments, reducing frustration and enhancing inclusion. Teachers report 69% improvement in teaching methods and 59% better personalization via AI. Forward-thinking schools integrate these tools ethically, preserving human interaction while amplifying impact.

In private school contexts like Trinity school—an innovative international school in Cyprus and primary school Limassol leader—AI complements IB inquiry-based learning with digital platforms such as interactive boards, iPads, and custom bots for student engagement. Similarly, Trinity school like others international schools in Cyprus use STEM clubs (robotics, programming) to introduce AI concepts early, fostering computational thinking alongside ethical awareness. This private school model demonstrates how targeted tech integration enhances global-minded education without overshadowing core human values.

A balanced curriculum leveraging AI should prioritize:

• Adaptive learning platforms for real-time personalization and instant feedback.
• Multilingual AI tutors to support diverse linguistic backgrounds in international settings.
• AI-assisted assessment tools that detect learning patterns and flag early interventions.
• Ethical AI literacy modules teaching students to question outputs and recognize biases.
• Teacher augmentation systems that automate administrative tasks, freeing time for meaningful instruction.
• Successful integration requires - robust data privacy policies - teacher training on AI ethics - inclusive access measures - ongoing equity audits - and student voice in tool selection - to maximize benefits while minimizing harm -

Risks: Navigating Equity, Privacy, and Dependency

Despite gains, risks loom large. Algorithmic bias can perpetuate inequalities, disadvantaging marginalized groups if training data lacks diversity. Privacy concerns arise from extensive student data collection, with only 1 in 5 teachers and students receiving instruction on risks like bias or overreliance (CDT 2025). Overdependence may erode critical thinking, especially in primary years when foundational skills form. Cheating incidents vary—some surveys show increased AI misuse, while others indicate stable rates—but 78% of faculty report heightened dependency risks. UNESCO warns that without safeguards, AI could widen divides rather than close them.

Schools must adopt UNESCO’s recommendations: transparent governance, strong data protection, and inclusive policies. By addressing these proactively—through bias audits, human oversight, and digital equity initiatives—institutions can mitigate downsides. Trinity school’s private school approach in primary school Limassol and international school in Cyprus exemplifies balanced progress, blending AI tools with holistic wellbeing programs to prepare students responsibly.