Issue Widening gaps in access to education in the AI era

Summary

AI opens new possibilities for more efficient and personalised learning, yet it intersects with the digital divide and existing educational inequality in ways that could deepen gaps. The survey frames this as a structural phenomenon shaped by accessibility, language and cultural barriers and the distribution of economic resources, not simply by whether a technology is adopted. The COVID-19 pandemic spread remote learning worldwide and exposed how connectivity and digital skills decide who benefits, with low-income countries and vulnerable groups lacking the infrastructure for AI learning tools. For students with disabilities, assistive technologies such as screen readers, speech recognition and braille devices are tied closely to AI progress, but uneven support turns access into an extra cost burden. The panel expects these divides to affect social mobility and labour-market competitiveness over the long run, especially where public safety nets are weak.