A new foresight study supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) explores what education might look like in the year 2035. Titled 10 Scenarios for Education in 2035, the research invites educators, policymakers, and innovators to imagine and prepare for potential futures of learning. Developed by EdTech Hub through the EmpowerED initiative, the study is designed to help decision-makers and communities plan ahead through inclusive and strategic dialogue.
The study presents ten vivid and research-informed scenarios ranging from personalized education driven by responsible artificial intelligence to grassroots, community-led learning models. It also explores new ways of defining educational success. These scenarios aim to stimulate critical thinking and conversation, while supporting long-term planning for diverse and equitable education systems globally.
Created through a collaborative foresight process involving experts in education, science, and technology, the study is grounded in current trends such as climate change, geopolitical shifts, emerging technologies, and youth-led movements. It encourages proactive planning by highlighting actions that can be taken today to shape more inclusive, resilient, and fair educational futures.
To ensure global reach and accessibility, the research findings have been made available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, and Swahili. Each edition includes not only the scenarios but also guidance for using them in workshops, policy development, and strategic planning sessions, enabling stakeholders worldwide to adapt the insights to their specific contexts.
