The incredibly fast rise of Artificial Intelligence, holding both promises and risks, is creating an intense debate in all areas of society. The adult learning and education sector is no exception.

On the one hand, AI and automation are dramatically affecting the labour market: being prepared for the 4th industrial revolution also implies a transformation in education. What skills and competences should we cultivate? 

On the other hand, and more profoundly, AI challenges our assumptions about learning, knowledge and "intelligence" itself. How does the role of the educator change? How are relationships reframed? And, most importantly, how can adult educators and learners retrieve agency and be protagonists, rather than spectators, in this process? 

Clare Stark has 20 years of experience in international relations and strategic planning. As UN Coordination Officer in the Priority Africa and External Relations Sector at UNESCO, she is responsible for enhancing UN system-wide coordination on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and neurotechnology and developing strategic partnerships with UN entities and the private and public sectors.  She co-chairs the High-Level Committee on Programmes Interagency Group on AI, bringing together 40 UN entities to strengthen the ethical development and deployment of AI to support the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.