Governing Artificial Intelligence in education a comparative policy brief: United States and European Union

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping education systems, influencing how students learn, how teachers teach, and how institutions make decisions. Across the United States and the European Union, AI is increasingly embedded in tutoring systems, learning analytics, and administrative functions. However, governance frameworks remain uneven in scope, maturity, and implementation. This brief argues that while the European Union provides a more structured regulatory framework than the United States, the effectiveness of AI governance in education depends less on regulatory design alone and more on implementation capacity, institutional readiness, and operational alignment across schools and systems. The United States reflects a decentralized and uneven policy landscape, where states and districts shape AI adoption and governance in distinct ways. In contrast, the European Union has advanced a more structured regulatory approach through the EU AI Act, establishing clearer standards for accountability and risk management across member states. The brief contends that AI must be governed not only as a tool but as a form of decision-making infrastructure. Effective policy must move beyond principles toward operational implementation, ensuring that AI strengthens educational systems while preserving equity, accountability, and institutional control.