Norway is introducing new national recommendations under which students in grades 1–7 will generally not be given access to artificial intelligence (AI) in schoolwork, while AI use in higher grades will be introduced gradually and under teacher guidance.
According to Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the government is introducing new AI recommendations amid concerns that uncritical use of generative AI could lead students to skip important stages of learning, while educational outcomes in Norway continue to weaken.
“The most important thing in school is that our children learn to read, write and do mathematics,” Støre said. The government is introducing new recommendations on artificial intelligence in schools.
The government said students in grades 1–7 will generally not be given access to artificial intelligence. In grades 8–10, AI can be used gradually and cautiously, provided that teachers have first acquired sufficient competence before students receive training and access.
In upper secondary education, students should learn to use AI appropriately so that they are prepared for further education and work.
The government said international assessments such as PISA and PIRLS show significant declines in Norwegian students’ basic skills. PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and PIRLS (Progress in International Reading Literacy Study) are the world’s most prominent global education benchmarks.
It also said one in four Norwegian students reads below the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) minimum threshold required for further education and work.
Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun said students must learn to read, write and do mathematics before they use AI. She added that the youngest students do not have the knowledge, critical reflection and self-regulation needed to use AI well.
Nordtun also said Norway should avoid repeating mistakes made when digital devices were introduced uncritically among younger students.
The government said students who need AI-based tools in their teaching should continue to have access to them. It added that AI can support learning in some situations, including language learning and individually tailored instruction.
The Norwegian Directorate of Education will continuously assess changes to the recommendations and teacher competence provision.
The government said research shows it is very difficult to use AI in teaching in a way that ensures and strengthens learning.
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