Cognita

Over the past few years, the presence of generative AI in the classroom has continued to grow, promising personalized learning for students and helping teachers with tasks like drafting lesson plans, grading assignments, and filling out administrative paperwork for things like Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). Yet alongside this promise comes a crucial responsibility: to ensure AI is integrated in ways that align with sound pedagogy, promote equity, and preserve the essential human connection at the heart of teaching and learning.

A 2023 UNESCO report assessing the implications of the use of AI in classrooms stressed an urgent, global need for "educational institutions to validate GenAI systems on their ethical and pedagogical appropriateness for education."

How a Global School System Built Its Own AI Platform

Cognita, a global network of more than 100 private schools serving over 95,000 students, is taking a proactive and responsible approach to AI by rolling out its own in-house platform—Cognita AI. The goal: to thoughtfully integrate AI in a way that enhances—not replaces—the vital roles of teachers and students.

"Cognita AI is a bold step forward in our mission to lead thoughtfully in educational technology," said Dr. Simon Camby, Group Chief Education Officer at Cognita. "This is just the beginning. Grounded in strong pedagogical principles, it's designed to give teachers more time to do what they do best—inspire, guide, and connect—while enabling students to benefit from more personalized and responsive support."

The platform was piloted across six schools in five countries—Spain, Mexico, Vietnam, the UAE, and the UK—spanning subjects like mathematics, language instruction, and essay writing. According to the group, the pilot demonstrated stronger student engagement, improved outcomes, and increased teacher capacity to respond to individual learning needs.

Personalized Learning at Scale

As part of this initiative, Cognita has announced a strategic partnership with Flint, which provides the underlying AI infrastructure to support personalized, curriculum-aligned instruction. The platform offers tailored learning activities, real-time feedback, and resources for teachers—all while encouraging them to grow their own AI literacy in a way that allows them to maintain control and exercise critical oversight of the tech.

"We couldn't be more excited to be partnering with Cognita," said Flint CEO Sohan Choudhury. "Through our first partnership with a Cognita school during the 2023–24 school year and the pilot earlier in 2025, we've had the opportunity to work closely with educators at a number of Cognita schools. We've been amazed by their commitment to personalizing learning for students, as well as by the focus from Cognita's leadership on embracing AI in a way that enhances, not replaces, the teacher's role in the classroom."

Cognita AI also introduces structured guidance for students to develop AI literacy, equipping them to navigate future learning environments critically and responsibly. The platform is designed not just to accelerate academic progress but also to foster digital fluency and ethical AI use.

Responsible Rollout Focuses on Trust, Training, and Transparency

A 2023 McKinsey report estimated that up to 40% of teachers' current tasks could be streamlined with generative AI, which would allow them more time for connecting with students and providing more hands-on, individualized teaching.

Cognita is leading the charge as one of the few large-scale school systems attempting to close that gap at a global level. To support thoughtful and effective AI adoption, Cognita is offering a comprehensive approach that includes bespoke professional development for teachers, AI-literacy programs that prepare students for the future, and family-engagement resources designed to build transparency and trust.

"As technology continues to evolve, so will Cognita AI—bringing fresh innovations that empower our educators and help every learner thrive in a rapidly evolving world," said Camby.

As many school systems grapple with how best to integrate AI, Cognita's approach offers one possible model: build technology centered around the classroom, rather than centering the classroom around technology. With a foundation rooted in strong pedagogy and a deep commitment to empowering both teachers and students, Cognita AI is demonstrating how AI can strengthen—not disrupt—the future of education.

Originally published on Tech Times