Brussels, BELGIUM – Today, the digital sector launched a set of six key principles for a responsible European approach to AI in education at the ‘Harnessing AI in Education’ Roundtable in Brussels. The event brought together policymakers, civil society, and technology firms to discuss how artificial intelligence can responsibly enhance learning.
AI is already transforming education in Europe. From tailoring lessons to individual student needs and automating routine tasks for teachers, to improving accessibility for students with disabilities, AI tools are delivering tangible benefits in European classrooms.
By introducing these six principles, the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA Europe) aims to provide a framework that ensures AI innovation supports teachers and students, and helps build a more inclusive learning environment.
To ensure AI delivers its full benefits safely and responsibly, CCIA Europe calls on EU policymakers, educators, and industry to commit to the following principles:
- Ensure responsible use: AI should complement, not replace, a student’s critical thinking. Clear guidance on appropriate use is essential.
- Prioritise learning environments: Classrooms should be safe spaces for exploring AI under teacher supervision. Blanket screen bans can be counterproductive.
- Balance access and protection: Governments and schools must balance access to AI tools with robust data protection and cybersecurity safeguards.
- Apply risk-based rules: Regulation should be technology-neutral and focus on high-risk uses, allowing beneficial tools to be adopted without unnecessary burden.
- Advance human-centric tools: Policy must support AI tools that augment and empower educators, recognising the teacher as the key decision-maker and mentor.
- Strengthen collaboration: Industry, educators, parents, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure rules are practical and AI tools meet community needs.
Representing leading technology companies, CCIA Europe’s experience ensures these principles are informed by real-world AI deployments and practical experience.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe’s Senior Policy Manager, Boniface de Champris:
“AI presents an opportunity to create a smarter, more inclusive educational environment in Europe. By adhering to these six principles, we can ensure that AI is integrated thoughtfully, in a way that empowers educators and enhances learning outcomes for students.”
The following can be attributed to CCIA Europe’s Privacy and Safety Lead, Claudia Canelles Quaroni:
“As we look to the future of European education, we must strike the right balance between fostering innovation and upholding the EU’s strong safety and privacy standards. It is important to recognise that the European Union already has a robust legal framework in place, including the General Data Protection Regulation and the AI Act, which protects privacy and guides responsible AI deployment.”
