European Commission warns of declining student skills and AI impact

The European Commission has released its first EU-level analysis of the PISA 2025 results, revealing a continuous decline in the fundamental reading, mathematics, and science skills of 15-year-olds across the bloc. The report identifies several contributing factors to this trend, including digital distractions, the uncritical use of Artificial Intelligence, decreased parental engagement, and persistent teacher shortages.

Data shows that one in three students lags in reading or mathematics, while one in four struggles with science. Fewer than ten percent of students demonstrate top-tier performance in any subject. The Commission plans to release a package of educational measures in November to assist member states in addressing these declining trends.

Separately, Bill Gates has characterized the rapid evolution of AI as a ‘highly disruptive event’ that threatens global employment balances. He noted that while AI could boost productivity, it risks shrinking tax revenues for social protection as jobs are automated. To mitigate this, Gates suggested implementing an AI tax and increasing taxes on the ultra-wealthy to fund retraining and education programs.