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The EU AI Act and its impact on education: a guide for schools
This year the EU AI Act came into force, legislation that regulates artificial intelligence (AI) within Europe. The regulation aims to strike a balance between innovation and the protection of democratic values, as set out on page 2: “AI should be a tool for people, with the ultimate aim of increasing human well-being.” But what does this law mean in concrete terms for schools? How can you prepare for the implications? Let's find out together.
Which AI systems fall under the Act?
The EU AI Act classifies AI systems into four risk levels:
- Unacceptable risk (such as social scoring systems).
- High risk, which also includes education.
- Limited risk, such as chatbots.
- Minimal risk, such as spam filters.
For education, the rules focus mainly on high-risk systems that, among other things:
- Regulate access, admission and assignment to education.
- Strongly steer the learning process and evaluations.
- Monitor prohibited behaviour during tests (page 16, Recital 56).
Even if you mainly think of applications such as ChatGPT, the legislation also covers systems like Snappet and other tools with built-in AI features. This means that schools are responsible for complying with the rules, including training staff and ensuring transparency.
How can Education Oracle help?
Education Oracle offers specific advice and support for schools that want to comply with the EU AI Act. With our experience in running local AI and connecting systems via Microsoft Azure – such as building a GPT-style chatbot within the EU – Education Oracle helps you use AI in a way that is both compliant and effective.
AI Literacy: A new obligation!
From February 2025, the EU AI Act requires everyone who uses AI – whether teachers or pupils – to be AI literate (page 6, section 20). This means not only knowing how to use an AI tool, but also understanding:
- How results are produced.
- What risks are associated with its use.
- How AI influences the learning environment.
This calls for more than a ‘which buttons to press’ course. Teachers and pupils/students need to learn to look critically at how AI works and at its consequences within the educational context. Article 14 (page 60), for example, stresses that human oversight remains essential for AI systems.
An AI-literate team of teachers can make better decisions about the use of tools such as Snappet or generative AI. Pupils then learn not only what AI can do, but also what it means.
Getting started with AI literacy?
At Education Oracle we offer AI workshops tailored specifically to schools. We train teachers to use AI effectively and safely, with a critical eye for risks and opportunities. Our training covers both technological and educational aspects, so that your team is ready for the future.
Codes of practice and AI officers
From May 2025, specific codes of practice are available to help schools implement the rules (pages 86-87). Although participation is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended to align with these codes, for example via Kennisnet.
It is also wise to appoint an AI officer, comparable to the DPO (data protection officer) under the GDPR. This person:
- Oversees the use of AI.
- Makes sure staff and pupils are well informed.
- Documents which AI systems are being used.
Need support?
With Education Oracle's expertise in both educational technology and compliance, we can help you draw up a plan and select or train an AI officer.
Generative AI and Age Limits
From August 2025, stricter requirements apply to generative AI such as ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini (page 83). In addition, many of these systems have age limits. Did you know, for example, that officially ChatGPT may only be used by pupils aged 13 to 18 with parental consent? Schools need to record this, just as they did earlier with consent for coronavirus tests.
Schools also need to think about guidelines for the use of generative AI. How do you ensure these tools are used safely without pupils becoming overly dependent on them? This calls for a clear vision of the role of AI in your educational strategy, set down in procedures and agreements.
How Education Oracle helps with generative AI:
Education Oracle has extensive experience in safely integrating generative AI into schools. Whether it's running AI locally for privacy reasons, setting up GPT-style chatbots via Microsoft Azure within the EU, or implementing European age guidelines – Education Oracle makes sure your school stays both compliant and innovative.
A concrete timeline for schools
Here is a brief overview of the key milestones:
- February 2025: AI literacy mandatory for staff.
- May 2025: Codes of practice available.
- August 2025: Generative AI models must comply with the AI Act.
- August 2026: High-risk AI systems, such as Snappet, must be fully compliant.
Conclusion
The EU AI Act brings challenges, but also opportunities. It forces schools to deal with AI more consciously and calls for action: from training staff to drawing up clear guidelines. Schools that proactively appoint an AI officer and invest in AI literacy will be well prepared. In the end, it is about AI enriching education without losing sight of the human dimension.
Education Oracle offers solutions!
As a specialist in AI and educational technology, Education Oracle is ready to guide you. Whether it's AI literacy, setting up secure technology within the EU, or advice on how to use AI to improve learning outcomes – Education Oracle helps your school move forward. Get in touch and discover what Education Oracle can do for your organisation.
The time for waiting passively is over. It is up to us, as education professionals, to embrace this new reality and make sure AI is used safely and responsibly.
