From New AI Rules to Teacher Shortages: The Key Developments in Education This Fall 2026

As early as September, UNESCO will bring together education ministers from more than 25 countries to discuss the use of AI in learning, the OECD will release a new international report on teacher shortages, and in November, the European Union will unveil a major education package focused on foundational and digital skills.

UNESCO and education ministers from more than 25 countries to develop common principles for the use of AI in education

From September 8 to 11, UNESCO headquarters in Paris will host Digital Learning Week 2026, one of the largest international conferences dedicated to technology in education. It will bring together more than 1,000 participants in person and several thousand more online, including education ministers, teachers, researchers, students, and representatives of the technology industry from around the world.

This year's central theme will be "Education in the Age of AI: Facts, Frictions and Futures." More than 25 education ministers are expected to reach a joint decision on how education should evolve amid the rapid spread of artificial intelligence.

The discussions will focus on practical issues that schools and universities are already facing: the safety of AI systems, the costs and rules associated with introducing new technologies, digital sovereignty, and the age at which children should be allowed to use artificial intelligence for learning.

The last of these issues will be the subject of a separate discussion. On September 8, Sonia Livingstone, Professor of Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, will give a talk on whether there is an appropriate age for using AI in education. On the same day, UNESCO will present analytical materials on the regulation of artificial intelligence in education.

On September 9, Khan Academy founder Sal Khan and University College London professor Wayne Holmes will discuss controversial issues surrounding students' use of AI. UNESCO will also present new data on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education at the conference. The findings are based on the organization's annual survey of university chairs and research centers around the world.

Teacher shortages take center stage in a new OECD report

On September 29, the OECD will release Education at a Glance 2026, its annual report comparing the education systems of OECD member and partner countries. This year, the report will focus primarily on teacher shortages and the approaches different countries are taking to address staffing challenges.

Education at a Glance covers a wide range of indicators, including education funding and access, the functioning of schools and universities, learning outcomes, and the economic returns to education. The new edition will be around 600 pages long.

Previous OECD data show why staffing challenges have become such a major concern. Across OECD countries, 38% of secondary school teachers are over the age of 50, while only 9% are under 30. Among the 19 countries and education systems that provided data, an average of 6.5% of qualified teachers left the profession during the 2022/23 academic year. In Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania, the figure exceeded 10%.

At the same time, teacher shortages are not simply a matter of unfilled vacancies. Among the challenges identified by the OECD are an aging workforce, professionals leaving the teaching profession, and, in some cases, the need to hire staff who are not fully qualified.

Countries are already using a variety of approaches to attract new teachers. In 16 of the 28 countries and education systems for which the OECD has data, special programs are available for people who decide to become teachers after pursuing careers in other fields. Other measures include higher salaries, improved working conditions, and greater opportunities for professional development.

Education at a Glance 2026 will show how the situation has changed and what approaches different education systems are taking. In addition to its focus on teachers, the OECD will present new international data on education funding, access, and outcomes.

European Union to unveil a new education package focused on digital skills

In November, the European Commission will present a new Education Package covering three major areas: strengthening foundational skills, supporting teachers and trainers, and modernizing digital education.

The EU intends to pay particular attention to which skills should be considered foundational today. In addition to literacy, mathematics, and science, the European Commission has emphasized the need to develop digital and civic competencies.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu said: "In a world transformed by digitalisation and AI, foundational skills need to go beyond literacy, mathematics and science."

According to Mînzatu, digital and civic literacy are also essential for developing critical thinking, navigating the digital environment, and participating fully in public life.

Another part of the Education Package will be the EU Teachers and Trainers Agenda. The European Commission intends to focus on working conditions for teachers and trainers, opportunities for professional development, and making the profession more attractive amid teacher shortages across European countries.

The third area concerns digital education. The EU is preparing a roadmap through 2030 that will cover the development of digital skills and AI literacy, digital well-being, resilience to disinformation, and digital sovereignty. The European Commission also plans to strengthen cooperation with European EdTech companies.

The European Commission is currently holding public consultations with schools, teachers, researchers, education authorities, and other stakeholders in the sector. Submissions will be accepted until September 8, and the final Education Package will be presented in November.