Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and founder of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), has identified Greece and Estonia as the world’s two frontrunners in educational innovation.
His remarks were delivered at the event “AI in Education: Evaluating the First Wave,” co-organized by the Permanent Representation of Greece to the OECD and the Republic of Estonia. The event highlighted the increasingly prominent position Greece now holds on the global education landscape.
“It is truly encouraging to see two ‘education superpowers’ initiating this discussion,” Schleicher stated. “Estonia is undoubtedly the leader in Europe, not only in education but also in the integration of digital technologies. Furthermore, I am not aware of any country that has moved faster than Greece in adopting technology.”
Schleicher emphasized that while many OECD nations are currently running pilot programs to integrate artificial intelligence into the classroom, Greece and Estonia are leading the charge. He specifically pointed to Greece’s “Digital School” initiative as a primary vehicle for piloting AI in upper secondary schools, while simultaneously prioritizing robust online child protection measures. The OECD education chief noted that this rapid progress is the direct result of a coherent, well-executed national strategy.
The Digital School Initiative: AI in Greece’s schools
At the heart of this transformation is the “Digital School” platform (digitalschool.gov.gr). Originally conceived and launched during the tenure of Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the initiative established the first large-scale foundation for the digital transformation of the Greek education system. The project is currently being advanced and expanded under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, with Minister Sofia Zacharaki overseeing its continued implementation.
The Digital School serves as a comprehensive portal for students, teachers, and parents alike. Funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the project aims to modernize the educational experience, bridge systemic inequalities, and broaden learning opportunities for all students across the country.
Related: Greece Introduces Online School for Remote Islands
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