Global Scans · Education · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Education will increasingly be online, just-in-time and competence-based. VR will become more mainstream in education technology. The vision of easily accessible learning will be enormously powerful and widespread in a few years. The global artificial intelligence market in the education sector will grow exponentially and post an impressive CAGR of over 39% by 2020.

• [New] Currently, 34% of companies utilize synthetic audio in their Learning & Development programs, with 32% planning integration by 2028. Astute Analytica
• [New] The fastest-growing segment, Educational Devices & Software, is projected to achieve a CAGR of 8.5% from 2026 to 2032, driven by a rising emphasis on digital learning and adaptive education solutions that effectively cater to visually impaired students. 6wresearch
• [New] AI is poised to shrink the world's health gap and accelerate discovery in physics, chemistry, and biology, leading to more personalized learning experiences and a future where every research scientist could have an AI lab assistant. TashiOS
• [New] By the end of 2026, groundbreaking technical applications are expected to be implemented, including digital building permits and the introduction of OpenDesk in the education sector. BusinessMole
• [New] The UAE Ministry of Education has announced six major changes for the 2026-27 academic year, including the removal of homework for younger pupils, tighter controls on the use of electronic devices in schools and an expansion of project-based assessments. Emirates 24|7
• [New] Given that IMGs frequently have limited opportunities to develop H&P skills on patients in Japanese clinical environments, VR-based education, which is repeatable and self-paced, can offer useful clinical opportunities for practice and familiarization. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] VR-based education is likely to ensure psychological safety: while IMGs in Japan may experience psychological discomfort in unfamiliar Japanese clinical environments, VR-based education has the potential to provide IMGs with a psychologically safe learning environment. PubMed Central (PMC)
• [New] In 2026-2027, more schools will look for ways to make learning feel more connected to the world students are preparing to enter. Discovery Education
• The Commission's Education and Training Monitor 2025 shows a record-high reading underachievement of 26.2% among fifteen-year-olds, against an EU-level target of 15% by 2030. News Media Europe
• Tech giants like OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Baidu stand to solidify their dominance, while sectors such as media production and digital education will likely see the fastest ROI. AI For Developing Countries Forum
• By learning directly from vast streams of Earth observations, AI is starting to predict both tomorrow's storm and next century's climate within a single, unified framework. Nature
• The new AI learning pathway builds on IBM's ongoing partnership with the UK Government's AI Skills Boost initiative, which aims to upskill 10 million UK workers by 2030. IBM UK Newsroom
• A pilot in north-west England will provide up to 70 people aged 16 to 21 with three weeks of AI training, including learning to build AI tools, understanding how businesses use AI and learning to use the technology responsibly. The Guardian
• In 2026, more than 70% of higher education organizations in North America are expected to evaluate AI applications for personalized learning, academic analytics, and virtual assistance. Zeta42
• The importance of developing adaptable skills early is underscored by the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, which estimates that nearly 40% of core job skills will change by 2030, reinforcing the need for continuous learning, innovation, and workplace readiness. FedEx Newsroom
• By combining dialog, experimentation and co-design, the CREDEX contribution will demonstrate how micro-credentials can become connectors between education, industry, creative practice and policy, strengthening more responsive and interconnected skills ecosystems across Europe. Consorzio Materahub
• AI in education is growing even faster - from $11.4 billion in 2026 toward $57 billion by 2033 at a 25.9% CAGR. Online Skill Assessment | Online Exam Software | Ekla
• AI literacy is an increasingly important aspect of MOE's broader EdTech Masterplan 2030, which lays out plans to tap education technology to complement teaching. ST
• All primary, secondary and JC teachers in Singapore must complete three compulsory AI training modules by 2027 to understand AI fundamentals, ethical use, and its impact on learning. ST
• From 2027, the first V Levels in education, accounting and finance and digital will be introduced. GOV.UK
• Strengthening education and workforce training, adapting social protection systems and ensuring that the benefits of AI-driven growth are more widely shared will become central policy challenges as China moves toward a more intelligent society. China-US Focus
• Strengthening Education and Skilled Mobility: Deeper institutional partnerships can expand opportunities for Indian students, researchers and professionals, while joint research can advance innovation in agriculture, climate and emerging technologies. Insights IAS

Last updated: 02 September 2026