Ethics and limits in the use of artificial intelligence in education: a critical look

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an essential component of contemporary education, transforming teaching, learning, and institutional management. However, this technological evolution also raises complex ethical, pedagogical, and regulatory challenges. The chapter analyzes international frameworks such as the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2020), the Beijing Consensus on AI and Education, and the OECD’s AI Principles, which collectively advocate for transparency, fairness, accountability, inclusion, and human oversight in educational contexts. It further examines how Latin American countries, particularly Venezuela, are beginning to legislate and regulate the use of AI through national policies, ethical codes, and training initiatives for teachers. The study highlights that ethical AI in education must ensure respect for human dignity, protect data privacy, and prevent algorithmic bias or technological dependency. It argues that while AI can enhance learning personalization and institutional efficiency, it must never replace the human dimension of education. The text concludes that ethical governance, teacher training, and participatory frameworks are indispensable to achieving a responsible and equitable integration of AI in educational systems, transforming technology into a means of empowerment rather than control.