GoStudent Future of Education Report 2026
We asked 3,001 parents, 3,001 children and 300 teachers across six European countries how AI, technology and changing expectations are reshaping education.
Three audiences, three chapters
One headline finding for each audience, from our survey of parents, children and teachers in six European countries. Click + on any card to find out more.
Chapter 1
~2 billion people. The first generation raised on AI.
1. Values & worldview
Generation Alpha are the first generation born entirely in the 21st century: the largest generation in human history, and the most digitally native. They’re already leaning on AI in ways most parents haven’t clocked.
50%
prioritise wellbeing over academic achievement
77%
of students believe hard work pays off, whatever their background
54%
of young people look forward to a bright future, some with reservations
2. Trust
Who would young people trust to check a fact?
% of students naming each source
3. Screens & phones
60%
of parents say their children spend too much time on devices, rising from 47% for 8-year-olds to 72% for 16-year-olds
52% of parents back an outright smartphone ban in schools
% of parents, by market
4. In the classroom
Almost2/3
of teachers say today's students concentrate worse than those they taught five years ago
Teachers say these skills have worsened
% of teachers
Reading comprehension
50%
Handwriting quality
50%
Maths ability
42%
The UK is a brighter spot: just 20% of teachers there report a decline in reading.
5. AI natives
50%
of students used AI for personal problems in the past month
28%
of parents are aware their child is doing so
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details or continue reading next chapter’s highlights online.
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1. Values & worldview
Generation Alpha are the most digitally native generation yet. They’re already leaning on AI in ways most parents haven’t clocked.
50%
prioritise wellbeing over academic achievement
77%
of students believe hard work pays off, whatever their background
54%
of young people look forward to a bright future, some with reservations
2. Trust & values
Who would young people trust to check a fact?
% of students naming each source
Does hard work pay off?
% who believe it, or think young people do
4. In the classroom
Almost2/3
of teachers say students concentrate worse than five years ago
Teachers say these skills have worsened
% of teachers saying skills have worsened
50%
Reading comprehension
50%
Handwriting quality
42%
Maths ability
82%
of teachers back restrictions on social media for children
5. AI natives
50%
of students used AI for personal problems in the past month
28%
of parents are aware their child is doing so
Who sees AI as a risk?
% of each group describing AI as a risk
54% of students say they could spot a deepfake, 42% of parents say their child could.
Confidence is not the same as accuracy.
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details or continue reading next chapter’s highlights online.
Download the reportChapter 2
Four in ten students get no formal AI education. Parents and teachers each think they should lead.
1. Confidence
39%
of teachers have still received no formal AI training
↓ from 75% last year
71%
of teachers feel confident guiding children on AI use
No change since last year
50%
of parents feel confident supervising their children’s AI use at home
↓ from 61% last year
2. Homework
Where students admit handing in AI work as their own
% of students who use AI for schoolwork
3. AI Lessons
What students are learning
% of students formally taught each topic
4. Who Should Lead
Who should be responsible?
% of parents and % of teachers naming each group
Parents
Schools
Tech. companies
Government
Germany is split: 48% of teachers say parents should lead, and 47% of parents agree. In the UK, both groups say schools.
5. Teachers & AI
86%
of teachers use AI in their professional work
What teachers use AI for
% of teachers
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details or continue reading next chapter’s highlights online.
Download the report
1. Confidence
39%
of teachers have still received no formal AI training
↓ from 75% last year
71%
of teachers feel confident guiding children on AI use
No change since last year
50%
of parents feel confident supervising their children’s AI use at home
↓ from 61% last year
4. Who Should Lead
Who should be responsible?
% of parents and % of teachers naming each group
Parents
Schools
Tech. companies
Government
Only 37% of parents and 25% of teachers say the government is doing enough to set AI rules.
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details or continue reading next chapter’s highlights online.
Download the reportChapter 3
Parents are satisfied with school, but only 45% say it prepares their child for life. Teachers now see themselves as mentors.
1. Readiness
Where parents think school prepares children for life
% of parents who say school prepares their child for life outside school
36% of teachers and 26% of parents say children are not prepared for life outside school.
2. Curriculum
While young people want the skills to navigate a rapidly changing world, parents and teachers put more weight on skills that keep children safe and self-sufficient.
What each group wants added to the curriculum
Top three subjects, % choosing each. AI and machine learning in bold.
Students
Parents
Teachers
Religious education tops every group’s list of subjects to drop: 27% of students aged 14 to 16, 22% of parents and 23% of teachers.
3. Skills
Where critical thinking reigns
% of teachers ranking it the most valuable future skill
26%
of students rank problem solving first instead
45%
of teachers now help students deal with misinformation
4. Teachers
62%
say their main role is guiding students as people
21%
say it is teaching their subject
76%
see more mental-health issues than 5 years ago
96% in Germany
Where teachers want AI’s help
% of teachers reporting it
Just 1% think AI could replace teachers entirely, down from 10% last year.
5. After School
Where university is first choice
% of parents who see university as the best route
42%
of Austrian parents choose apprenticeships, against 34% for university
15%
of Spanish parents put apprenticeships first
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details.
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1. Readiness
70%
of parents are satisfied with their child’s education
45%
say school prepares their child for life
Where parents think school prepares children for life
% of parents
36% of teachers and 26% of parents say children are not prepared for life outside school.
2. Curriculum
33%
of students put AI and machine learning first
37%
of parents put cybersecurity first, level with financial planning
40%
of teachers put financial planning first
Where AI and machine learning ranks
% choosing it, and its rank in each group’s list
Religious education tops every group’s list of subjects to drop: 27% of students aged 14 to 16, 22% of parents and 23% of teachers.
3. Skills
43%
of teachers rank critical thinking the most valuable future skill
36%
of parents agree
Where critical thinking reigns
% of teachers ranking it the most valuable future skill
26% of students rank problem solving first instead. 45% of teachers now help students deal with misinformation.
4. Teachers
62%
say their main role is guiding students as people
21%
say it is teaching their subject
76%
see more mental-health issues than 5 years ago
96% in Germany
Where teachers want AI’s help
% of teachers reporting it
Just 1% think AI could replace teachers entirely, down from 10% last year.
5. After School
Where university is first choice
% of parents who see university as the best route
42%
of Austrian parents choose apprenticeships, against 34% for university
15%
of Spanish parents put apprenticeships first
End of the chapter summary. Download the full report to obtain more details.
About GoStudent
GoStudent pairs children with expert tutors for personalised one-on-one lessons. Our tutoring works alongside schools to reinforce learning and build confidence. AI tools such as Lesson Summaries and Magic Quiz help students revisit what they learned and see where they need more support.
Felix OhswaldCEO and co-founder, GoStudent
“Generation Alpha are ready to take on a changing world.”
“Teachers, parents and students hope for change, with many disappointed with the way traditional subjects are taught, and hopeful for a curriculum that drives practical subjects such as AI use, or financial planning.”
Meet an expert tutor in a free trial lesson and see how personalised one-on-one support can work alongside school.
