Navigating the map – what UNESCO and OECD teach us about responsible AI in education
Before diving into these global frameworks, you may wish to read the previous instalment in this series:
If the global conversation on AI ethics were a journey, UNESCO and the OECD would be the two seasoned guides standing at the trailhead. They do not walk the path for us, but they hand us detailed maps, point out the hazards, and remind us to check our compasses before we set off.
For the UK education sector – already juggling curriculum pressure, staff shortages, safeguarding responsibilities, and technological innovation – these global frameworks can feel like one more set of documents to understand. But here is the thing: both UNESCO and the OECD are far less about rigid rules and far more about a responsible AI mindset. They do not tell schools exactly what to do; they help us understand how to think about AI in education with clarity and purpose.
That shift towards shared principles and reflective practice is exactly what UK schools need as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in classrooms, MIS systems, assessment tools, and learning platforms. Whether you are a local primary or a large Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), understanding these frameworks is the first step toward a secure digital strategy.
Let us walk through each framework, how they complement one another, and what they mean for your school, college, or MAT.
What UNESCO offers – a global moral compass for AI in education
UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by all 193 member states, is the closest thing the world has to an ethical constitution for AI. It is broad, value–driven, and intentionally global.
But when it comes to education, UNESCO goes further than most. It explicitly warns that AI in schools could deepen inequalities, commercialise learning, or undermine human agency if deployed carelessly. At the same time, it champions the transformative potential of personalised learning, better inclusion, and teacher support – if deployed wisely.
UNESCO’s key principles and what they mean for schools
Think of UNESCO as the colleague who always asks the important but slightly uncomfortable questions. Its principles push schools to reflect on the following.
1. Human rights and dignity AI must enhance, not replace, human decision–making, especially decisions that shape a young person’s opportunities, identity, or self–worth. For schools, that means:
Avoiding AI systems that profile students without clear educational benefit
Keeping teachers firmly in the loop
Challenging tools that claim to make automated judgements about behaviour, aptitude, or character
2. Inclusion and equity UNESCO is particularly strong on the risk of AI widening divides. Schools should consider:
Who benefits most from an AI tool
Who might be left behind
Whether SEND learners are genuinely supported or simply an afterthought
3. Data protection and safety UNESCO is clear. Children are uniquely vulnerable, and their data is uniquely sensitive. Schools must scrutinise:
What data is collected
How long it is kept
Whether it is strictly necessary
Whether students and parents understand what they are consenting to
4. Transparency and explainability UNESCO urges caution if an AI system is a 'black box'. For UK educators, this means prioritising tools that can explain:
Why a learner received a particular recommendation
What data informed the output
What safeguards are in place
Because if we cannot explain the reason, we cannot challenge the result.
5. Responsibility and accountability UNESCO emphasises that institutions, not vendors, are ultimately responsible for AI use in education settings. It encourages schools to establish:
Clear governance
Internal oversight groups
Impact assessments
Staff training
Policies for review and withdrawal
This is not an 'install and forget' approach. It is a pilot, monitor, and evolve approach.
Implement responsible data governance with Deesha
Navigating the complexities of AI literacy and data protection can be a significant administrative burden for school leaders. At Deesha, we align our school analytics modules with these global ethical foundations, ensuring that your transition to AI–driven insights is secure, transparent, and human–centred.
Our platform is designed to provide 'Total Clarity' by unifying your existing data streams without compromising on student privacy or ethical integrity. Whether you are looking to enhance student wellbeing monitoring or streamline your census reporting, Deesha provides the robust framework needed to meet international standards for responsible AI.
What the OECD offers – practical tools for making good decisions
If UNESCO is the moral compass, the OECD is the practical handbook you tuck into your rucksack. Its OECD AI Principles have influenced national policies worldwide, including the EU AI Act and key parts of UK government guidance.
Crucially for educators, the AI in education framework from the OECD looks directly at the school setting, providing a structured approach to innovation.
OECD’s core principles
AI should benefit people and the planet In schools, this means prioritising tools that improve learning outcomes, reduce teacher workload, or enhance inclusion, rather than implementing technology simply because it appears impressive.
AI systems should be safe, secure, and transparent The OECD encourages the use of practical tools such as transparency labels, clear documentation, and rigorous risk classification.
Organisations deploying AI must act responsibly This includes schools and Multi–Academy Trusts. Governance is an expected requirement, not an optional extra.
Accountability must be clearly assigned The question is not only what a tool does, but also who is responsible if something goes wrong.
Education and skills must be strengthened The OECD emphasises AI literacy for students, teachers, and senior leaders alike. AI competence is now as essential as digital literacy was fifteen years ago.
Why the OECD approach is particularly useful for UK schools
The OECD understands operational realities. Its framework provides the granular detail needed to move from theory to practice, including:
Risk assessment templates for new software procurement
AI literacy models for staff professional development
Guidance tailored for school leaders and governors
Teacher training recommendations and evaluation rubrics
This makes it a perfect companion for MAT digital leads, DSLs, safeguarding teams, and IT departments striving to craft an AI strategy that feels achievable rather than abstract.
Discover the vision behind Deesha
At Deesha – meaning 'insightful vision' – we are dedicated to helping educational institutions navigate the complexities of the modern data landscape. Our mission is to alleviate the administrative and compliance burdens on school leaders by providing intuitive, AI–enabled insights that are both ethical and actionable.
We believe that data maturity is a journey, not a destination. By aligning our platform with the practical standards set by the OECD and the ethical foundations of UNESCO, we ensure that your school or Trust can harness the power of educational technology with confidence. Whether you are seeking to improve student outcomes, manage school finances, or enhance health and safety compliance, our team is here to support your strategic growth.
Our approach is rooted in transparency and partnership. We work closely with our clients to bridge the gap between complex data streams and evidence–based leadership, ensuring that every insight is backed by a 'single source of truth'.
A helpful metaphor – the school as a garden
Imagine your school as a garden.
UNESCO is the voice reminding you to plant wisely, nurture every child equally, protect the soil, and avoid pesticides that could harm the ecosystem in the long term. It is the philosophy that ensures the garden remains a place of student wellbeing, growth, and fairness.
The OECD is the gardening manual with practical steps, planting guides, and seasonal checklists. It gives you the tools to:
Choose appropriate plants, meaning AI tools
Test the soil through risk assessment
Train your gardeners, meaning staff
Monitor plant health, meaning ongoing evaluation
Both perspectives are essential. Without UNESCO, you risk a garden optimised for efficiency instead of humanity. Without the OECD, you risk good intentions without systems to carry them through.
Earlier we mentioned that “think of UNESCO as the colleague who always asks the important but slightly uncomfortable questions” and I know with confidence that I am that colleague. But as Laura Knight so eloquently put it when I saw her speak recently, these questions are should not only be a matter of ‘whataboutery’ but instead maintaining the culture and ethos that you have in your school regardless of the technology you are using.
What UK educators should take away
1. You do not need the EU AI Act to start acting responsibly UNESCO and the OECD provide a global, tested, and highly relevant road map for responsible AI in education.
2. Ethical clarity leads to better decisions Before procuring a new educational technology tool, ask:
Does this align with UNESCO’s values?
Can we meet the OECD’s expectations around data governance and oversight?
3. AI literacy is now a safeguarding issue Teachers and leaders need a robust understanding of:
What AI is
How to use it safely
When to intervene
How to explain it to students
4. Young people must be empowered, not managed AI should amplify student agency, not reduce it through invisible profiling or automated judgement.
5. Your school’s AI strategy should be intentional and human–centred Policy first, tool second.
Experience the Deesha difference – book your personalised demo
Transitioning to an AI–driven school doesn't have to be a journey you take alone. At Deesha, we specialise in helping school leaders and Multi–Academy Trusts navigate this landscape with confidence. Our modules are designed to provide 'Total Clarity', turning complex, fragmented data into a single, ethical source of truth.
If you are ready to move beyond manual reporting and start leveraging AI–enabled insights to drive student outcomes, improve teacher workload, and ensure robust safeguarding compliance, we invite you to see our platform in action.
During our demo, we will explore:
How to unify your MIS, finance, and wellbeing data into one intuitive dashboard
Ways to automate your census reporting while maintaining absolute data integrity
How our consultative approach ensures your AI strategy aligns with global ethical standards
Don't let your data stay in silos. Join the growing community of forward–thinking schools using Deesha to foster a proactive, data–driven culture.
Final Thought: It Is Not About Fear, It Is About Stewardship
AI is neither a threat nor a saviour. It is a powerful set of tools, similar to fire, electricity, or the internet. UNESCO and OECD frameworks help us use that power wisely.
They do not demand perfection. They encourage stewardship.
As UK educators, our role is not to halt the tide of technology, but to guide its flow in ways that honour our deepest responsibility, the flourishing of young people.
Our next blog looks in detail about the NIST AI Risk Management framework and how you can implement that in your school.
While you wait for the next post in this series, continue to build your expertise. Discover our other blogs on achieving data maturity, closing the attainment gap, and simplifying data infrastructure for MAT leaders.
For more resources on the OECD visit:
AI principles | OECD
For more resources on the UNESCO visit:
Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory | Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory