Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly present in young people’s daily lives, including at school, raising many questions among parents. A study conducted by Obvia and CIRANO for the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec (MEQ) found that 65.3% of surveyed Quebec parents believe that AI can bring significant benefits to education. At the same time, up to 75% also perceive risks associated with its use. To support families, Obvia and the MEQ are launching a series of five video capsules and infographics designed to raise parents’ awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with AI in schools.
Parents’ Perspectives: Between Trust and Concern
The deployment of AI in schools raises concerns among all stakeholders in the education sector. Its successful integration depends largely on its social acceptance among parents, whose trust can either support or hinder its adoption.
The results of the study on parents’ perceptions of the use of AI tools in schools reveal that Quebec parents have a nuanced view of AI. While they recognize its potential, they also express some reservations and a strong need for information about its use in schools.
- 82.9% of surveyed parents report being familiar with artificial intelligence;
- 1 in 5 parents, however, are not yet familiar with generative artificial intelligence;
- 65.3% believe that AI can bring significant benefits to education, particularly in supporting students who are struggling or living with disabilities;
- Up to 75% also recognize risks associated with its use, particularly regarding teacher autonomy and the quality of human interactions at school.
Resources to Better Understand AI in Schools
In light of these findings, Obvia and the MEQ have developed, in both French and English, a series of five awareness-raising video capsules under the theme “AI in Education: Is It a Good Thing or Not?”, along with complementary infographics.
The video capsules cover:
- Artificial intelligence
- Generative artificial intelligence
- AI for learning
- Data and best practices
- AI ethics
Available on École ouverte, these resources aim to make complex concepts more accessible, demystify the uses of AI, and provide parents with reliable guidance to build their confidence in the technology and better support their children in an ever-evolving digital environment.
This project is part of the collaboration between Obvia and the Centre d’expertise de l’IA en éducation (CEIAE), an initiative of the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec aimed at supporting the public education system in the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. It complements other AI reference tools, including a guide for teaching staff on the pedagogical, ethical and legal use of generative AI.
These initiatives are closely aligned with Obvia's mission, which is committed to developing open and participatory approaches that strengthen Quebec society’s capacity to understand and engage with issues related to AI and digital technologies, thereby supporting informed public debate on ongoing technological transformations.
Obvia would like to thank the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec, CIRANO, as well as all the researchers and collaborators who contributed to the various stages of this project.
