How is artificial intelligence currently being integrated into education?
We are facing the greatest turning point in modern education.
AI has moved beyond being a promise to become an everyday tool in the classroom. According to the HEPI Student Generative AI Survey (2025), the use of artificial intelligence among university students rose from 66% in 2024 to 92% in 2025, the biggest jump recorded to date.
In the teaching sector, the data reflects an uneven reality. The Stanford AI Index Report (2026) indicates that 70% of teachers already use AI, but only half of educational institutions offer specific training. Furthermore, the Digital Education Council Global AI Faculty Survey (2025) shows that, although 61% of teaching staff have incorporated AI, 88% do so in a basic manner and without a clear pedagogical approach.
The real divide is not between those who use AI and those who do not, but between those who use it judiciously and those who do not.
This is not a technological crisis. It is a training crisis.
How do teachers use artificial intelligence in the classroom at each stage of education?
The use of AI in education varies significantly by educational level:
- Secondary education: creation of personalised activities and visual resources
- B Sixth form: generating summaries, outlines and exam simulations
- University: developing comprehensive guides, interactive resources and advanced tools such as research assistants or NotebookLM
Teachers who make the best use of artificial intelligence do not focus on the tool, but on the pedagogical objective.
When the strategy is clear, technology ceases to be a barrier and becomes a facilitator.
How do students use artificial intelligence in their studies?
The use of AI by students is widespread, but it is not always the most effective.
In many cases, it is used to:
- Generate work quickly
- Summarise content without processing it
- Obtain direct answers without deep understanding
This use is understandable, but it has a direct impact on learning.
However, there are also highly valuable applications of AI in education:
- 24/7 personalised tutoring
- Language learning
- Study organisation
- Creating original content
Learning to use artificial intelligence effectively is, in itself, a key 21st-century skill.
What are the risks of using artificial intelligence in education?
The main risk is what is known as cognitive debt: everything the student fails to learn because they delegate the process to AI.
An MIT study (2024) found that heavy users of AI show lower activity in areas related to deep thinking. Furthermore, the so-called ‘illusion of knowledge’ arises: the student believes they understand, but does not retain the information.
The problem is not using artificial intelligence.
The problem is using it without thinking.
How can artificial intelligence be used in an educational and effective way?
The key is simple: think first, then use AI.
Before resorting to a tool, the student must:
- Generate their own ideas
- Understand the problem
- Formulate a criterion
Artificial intelligence must become a partner, not a substitute.
This implies a shift in approach:
- From copying → to comparing
- From delegating → to collaborating
- From consuming → to thinking
This difference determines whether AI enhances learning or undermines it.
Key applications of artificial intelligence in education
AI in the classroom already has real and effective applications:
- Generation of personalised content
- Exam simulation
- Smart tutoring
- Creation of teaching materials
- Organisation of knowledge
These solutions allow learning to be adapted to the pace and needs of each student.
How are companies adopting artificial intelligence in training?
In the business environment, the adoption of artificial intelligence is immediate.
The pattern is clear:
- Initial resistance
- Application in real-world scenarios
- Rapid adoption
The change is not technological, but mental. When people see that AI solves specific day-to-day problems, the barrier disappears.
Telefónica’s role in educational and digital transformation
In this context, Telefónica is driving access to artificial intelligence and digitalisation through:
- Advanced connectivity
- Innovative digital services
- Training and talent development programmes
This approach helps citizens, professionals and businesses to integrate AI effectively, reducing the digital divide and improving digital skills.
What will the future of education look like with artificial intelligence?
The future of education will be defined by two major changes:
- Teachers will evolve into designers of learning experiences
- Students will learn to use AI with critical thinking
The unique value of education will continue to lie in what AI cannot automate: thinking, creativity and the ability to adapt.
It makes no sense to continue training people for tasks that machines already do better.
Conclusion: the true impact of AI on learning
Artificial intelligence does not replace education; it forces it to evolve.
The most important skill today is the ability to learn continuously (learnability). Access to information is no longer a problem; the challenge lies in how it is used.
AI can be a lever to improve learning or a shortcut that undermines it. The difference lies in the criteria by which it is used.
Frequently asked questions about artificial intelligence in education
What is artificial intelligence in education and what is it for?
The use of technology to personalise learning and automate educational processes.
What are the main risks of artificial intelligence in education?
Cognitive debt and the loss of critical thinking.
How can artificial intelligence be used correctly in learning?
Think first, then use AI as a support to improve understanding.
