Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools: Institutional Readiness and Digital Competencies in ICILS 2023

Christopher Neilson & Ignacio Lepe · Papeles de Economía Española, Issue 184, FUNCAS

Abstract

This study analyzes schools’ institutional readiness to adopt generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), using data from ICILS 2023. Given the limited empirical evidence on its adoption in schools, we propose a novel measurement approach using principal component analysis (PCA) that identifies three key dimensions: positive expectations, perceived risks, and institutionalization of GenAI use. We observe consistent socioeconomic gaps across countries: schools serving more vulnerable students are systematically less prepared to adopt GenAI, which could exacerbate educational inequalities if the technology improves productivity. We also find a positive statistical association between institutional readiness and students’ digital competencies. Our main contribution is a replicable metric for comparative research and monitoring, while also underscoring the importance of education policies focused on technological equity.

Insights

Bar chart of the socioeconomic gap in the institutionalization of generative AI by country; in nearly every country the most advantaged schools have adopted AI more deeply than the least advantaged. — Schools are not equally ready for AI, and the gap already favors those with more resources. Each bar shows how much more a country’s most advantaged schools (top 10% by income) have built generative AI into everyday practice than its least advantaged (bottom 40%). In almost every country the bar leans the same way: wealthier schools are ahead, sometimes by a lot. The worry follows directly: if AI makes learning more productive, the schools that are already readiest will benefit first, widening the achievement gap rather than closing it.

Citation

Neilson, C., & Lepe, I. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence in schools: Institutional readiness and digital competencies in ICILS 2023. Papeles de Economía Española, (184).

@article{neilson2025generative,
  author  = {Neilson, Christopher and Lepe, Ignacio},
  title   = {Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools: Institutional Readiness and Digital Competencies in ICILS 2023},
  journal = {Papeles de Econom{\'i}a Espa{\~n}ola},
  number  = {184},
  year    = {2025}
}

Links

Article (Papeles de Economía Española, FUNCAS)