Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way we learn, driving some of the most exciting innovations in education and EdTech. For decades, educational systems remained largely static. Today, AI is making personalised learning experiences possible, helping with preparation, and offering new ways to track progress – all at a rapid pace. But the importance of this transformation goes beyond efficiency; it’s about fostering lifelong learning, developing essential skills, and making education accessible in entirely new ways. Two years after ChatGPT launched, we’re at a pivotal moment where AI has the potential to make a profound impact on education. The real question now is how we can use AI to genuinely enhance learning, not just accelerate it.
AI in early childhood education
AI already supports even the youngest learners in creative ways. With access to a smartphone or tablet, every child could have a digital companion—an avatar that not only shares knowledge in a playful way but also sparks creativity and is available whenever they need it. This digital guide can encourage children to learn intuitively through play, and at an impressive pace, as research shows children absorb knowledge faster than adults. Providing access to such digital companions will be crucial in making early childhood education more comprehensive and accessible.
AI in school education
AI has the potential to become an even more powerful tool than the internet. It opens up new possibilities for students and teachers to access information instantly and make complex topics understandable. With just a click, vast amounts of knowledge become available through simple commands. But to truly benefit from AI, we must also equip teachers to use it effectively. Only then can AI become a meaningful and responsible educational tool.
AI in broader education
The past two years have shown how quickly AI-based tools can take hold in education. From personalised quizzes to digital teachers like GoStudent’s AI tutor, “Amelia,” today’s resources offer highly customised and focused learning experiences.
One of the biggest challenges is structuring the learning experience so that students genuinely learn more through AI—not less. Engagement is critical for long-term retention, and AI works best when it enhances, rather than replaces, teachers’ methods. For example, our AI-driven lesson summaries offer a detailed review of each session, capturing key insights, assignments, session sentiment, and focus areas for improvement. Every online session at GoStudent is recorded, and regular feedback is provided to students and parents, which has significantly raised the quality of our lessons. Initial data shows that parents and students refer to these summaries an average of 2.3 times per session.
Additionally, interactive quizzes generated from session transcripts reinforce core concepts in a way that engages students actively. These session summaries give teachers immediate feedback for targeted support, allow parents to stay informed on their child’s progress, and help students review key content through entertaining, memorable quizzes. In this way, AI becomes a driver of meaningful learning experiences that go far beyond mere efficiency.
Human teachers and AI: The perfect combination
According to GoStudent’s 2024 Future of Education Report, 60% of parents in Europe believe that AI is an effective educational tool. But while AI is transforming learning, it cannot replace the support and empathy of a skilled teacher. This emphasises a key point: AI can assist the learning process, but the human touch remains essential for successful education.
Yet, it won’t be long before AI systems can handle certain tasks as well as, if not better than, humans. This opens up new ways to support the educational process without sacrificing the human element. GoStudent is therefore committed to a hybrid model where digital and human elements work in harmony.
The future of education: AI as an opportunity for the next generation
To shape the future of learning, it is crucial to combine the strengths of AI with the core values that define education. Our research shows that parents and students increasingly value skills like creativity and critical thinking—precisely the abilities AI should support. In EdTech, companies need to ensure that AI responsibly promotes these values and enriches learning, rather than undermining it.
We are now at a critical juncture. The future of education will depend on how responsibly we use AI to empower and inspire students, without diminishing their independence. For GoStudent, the vision is clear: we aim to develop technology that enhances learning without replacing it. With a thoughtful blend of AI and human expertise, we can help shape the educational landscape and provide students with the tools they need for their futures.
Felix Ohswald
Felix Ohswald is co-founder and CEO of GoStudent.
GoStudent is one of the world’s leading tutoring providers and education platforms. Founded in Vienna, Austria, in 2016 by Felix Ohswald (CEO) and Gregor Müller (COO), the venture-backed unicorn has raised more than €675m from investors including Prosus, Left Lane Capital and SoftBank Vision Fund 2. Believing the future of education is hybrid, GoStudent has expanded its offering with the acquisition of Seneca Learning, Tus Media and offline tutoring business, Studienkreis. Together, these companies aim to unite the best of the online and offline world to unlock every child’s potential. Across its portfolio, GoStudent supports more than 10 million families each month. Learn more here: www.gostudent.org
