International Labour Conference: Education International calls for teachers and unions to be at the center of the debate on Artificial Intelligence
Publish Date: 2026-06-05 04:46:00
Source Domain: www.ei-ie.org
- José Olivera from Uruguay’s National Federation of Secondary Education Teachers (FENAPES) highlighted at the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC) that education should not be seen as a transaction or market and students are not data.
- Olivera criticized the ILO report “A moment of choice: Harnessing artificial intelligence for decent work”, noting that it notably overlooks mentions of ‘teacher’ and ‘education’.
- He stressed that teachers play a crucial role in determining the application of technology in education and that legitimate governance of AI in education requires teachers’ active participation.
- Olivera emphasized the importance of protecting human intelligence, creativity, and empathy, arguing that technology should enhance, not replace, human capacities.
- During his speech, Olivera also expressed solidarity with Palestinian teachers who continue to teach under conditions of displacement and trauma, stressing their ongoing resistance and dedication to the right to education.
- The intervention occurred at the ILC, the annual meeting where Education International addresses violations of trade union rights and advocates for better working conditions for teachers.
