The International Council for Adult Education (ICAE), Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education (ASPBAE), and the Institute for International Cooperation of the Deutscher Volkshochschul-Verband e.V. (DVV International) convened a Think Tank Meeting of Education Stakeholders on “Transforming Youth and Adult Learning and Education (ALE) in the Era of Digitalisation, Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence.”on 24-26 November 2025 in Vientiane, Laos. The aim of the meeting was to explore and strategize on the critical issue of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ALE, was participated in by 50 representatives from the different regional offices of the DVV and ASPBAE members, who are themselves members of the ICAE, and invited experts on AI and Digitalisation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the convenors issued a Call to Action that stated that we “fully recognise that the rapid acceleration of technologies, including the mainstreaming of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic-driven digital platforms, has significantly transformed the way people work, socialise, filter information and learn. … Within the education sector, we have noted that governments and private actors are keen to integrate technology and generative AI in education systems. This is seen to potentially expand education access to remote or underserved regions, offer opportunities for greater attentiveness to diverse needs of learners and, offer greater customised support to students with special needs through assistive functions and communication technologies.
However, this technology integration in education also brings immense challenges amidst wide digital divides, and comes with significant risks – from fostering homogeneity of opinions, undermining the development of creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, increased learners’ exposure to cyber violence and the misuse of their personal data for commercial gains, reinforcing discrimination, the spread of misinformation, political profiling, and social surveillance.
As some of the most long-standing civil society formations for the right to education and lifelong learning, ASPBAE, DVV International and ICAE have resolved to undertake advocacy and capacity building efforts to pursue the ethical use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in ALE, while continuing to put attention to the potentials and risks posed by the fast-evolving digital landscape.”
We are convening a Core Team of representatives from across the regions who are interested to contribute to planning concrete activities to advance the conversations into actions. At this stage, ICAE will send two representatives from the Executive Committee, ensuring regional and gender representation across the Core Team. In addition, we are also hoping to organise an Intergenerational Advisory Group consisting of Core Team members, experts, allies and youth representatives.
Text by Robbie Guevara, ICAE President
