The call, made by the Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) and the International Step by Step Association (ISSA) to mark the International Day of Education, emphasized the transformative potential of AI in education while warning against its misuse.
“This year’s theme, ‘AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,’ aligns with our vision of a world where families affected by crisis can rebuild resilience and foster their children’s development,” the statement said.
MMA and ISSA highlighted the critical role of ECE in mitigating the effects of trauma and promoting lifelong learning and well-being. In humanitarian contexts, where millions of children face displacement, conflict, and instability, robust ECE programs are essential to address academic, emotional, and physical needs, offering safe spaces and protection against exploitation and violence.
The statement also acknowledged AI’s potential benefits, such as delivering personalized learning experiences and enhancing essential services like healthcare and emergency relief. However, it cautioned against risks, including data privacy breaches and the adverse effects of excessive screen time on young children’s cognitive and social development.
Key recommendations for stakeholders included:
- Developing inclusive, accessible, and culturally relevant AI-driven tools that foster human connection and extend learning beyond screens.
- Ensuring robust technological infrastructure to support AI initiatives, including reliable internet and digital devices for all children.
- Establishing strong frameworks for data privacy and security to protect children’s rights and prevent misuse of sensitive information.
- Providing training and resources for educators to effectively integrate AI into teaching practices.
- Implementing monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure AI tools meet children’s holistic developmental needs.
The statement underscored the urgent need for multistakeholder collaboration, noting that the number of children living in humanitarian crises has worsened significantly. Over 473 million children—19% of the global child population—live in conflict zones, while 47.2 million have been displaced by violence. More than 52 million children in conflict-affected regions remain out of school.
“By taking these actions, we can harness AI to deliver quality education to children in humanitarian settings, enabling them to overcome barriers and build a brighter future,” the statement concluded.
