IE University Researchers to Study Impact of AI on European Education Policy as Part of Horizon Europe Program

IE University researchers will study how artificial intelligence can improve European education policies across the full policy cycle. Led by Toni Roldán, Professor at IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, the research projects will analyze the role of teachers in the classroom, especially in vulnerable educational environments, and assess how AI tools impact teaching practices and the learning experience on students aged 10¬-14.

This initiative is part of INTEGRED, a project supported by Horizon Europe, the EU's key funding program for research and innovation, bringing together eleven institutions and research centers across eight countries. IE University will conduct two studies. The first will evaluate the use of AI tools to support teachers in providing academic reinforcement for students in vulnerable educational settings. The second will analyze how biases affect the implementation of evidence-based education policies.

"Artificial intelligence has the capacity to transform education profoundly. While other solutions focus on autonomous chatbots, we will investigate how AI can support teachers in the learning process by delegating instruction and practice tasks and strengthening teachers’ role in socio-emotional support and educational guidance, which is especially crucial in vulnerable environments. The project will test an AI tool designed to improve teaching productivity and generate instruction adapted to each student’s level," said Toni Roldán, Public Policy Professor at IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs and head of the two IE research studies.

"Improving education policies requires empirical evidence and rigorous evaluation. With this initiative, IE University reinforces its commitment to applied research that contributes to better-informed public decisions on the use of artificial intelligence in education," said Juan Santaló, Vice-Rector of Faculty & Research at IE University.

Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding program for the 2021–2027 period, promotes international consortia to address complex challenges through research, innovation, and multidisciplinary approaches. Within it, Cluster 2 supports initiatives that help strengthen social cohesion, inclusion, and the development of high-quality public policies in Europe.