PISA top-performing countries gather at the ISTP global educational summit to share diverse experiences with AI in education, support teachers, and discuss the future of education.
Tallinn, Estonia – Estonia, Europe’s top-performing education system in PISA 2022 results, today opened the 16th International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP). Delegates from nearly 20 high-performing education systems are meeting in Estonia’s capital to tackle pressing education challenges: enhancing teachers’ roles, ensuring responsible AI use, and advancing professional autonomy.
The summit is hosted by Estonia in partnership with the OECD and Education International from 8–11 March 2026.
“The Estonian approach has been to empower teachers first, technology second,” said Estonian Minister of Education and Research Ms Kristina Kallas. “I look forward to discussing this year’s focus topics with international colleagues: how to apply AI in education, how to value and support teacher autonomy, and how to build future-proof education globally—certainly using Estonia’s AI Leap as one example.”
“Countries are at different starting points with AI in education, bringing diverse experiences and contexts to the table,” said Mr Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills. “There is no single clear answer to preparing our education systems for the age of AI. That’s why forums like ISTP, where countries can learn from each other’s successes and challenges, are so valuable, and Estonia has become a role model for many countries.”
Estonia’s AI Leap programme, which currently covers nearly all Estonian upper-secondary schools and will scale up considerably in the 2026/2027 school year, has attracted international attention for prioritising teacher support in AI implementation. The country was the first globally to announce a nationwide initiative specifically focused on responsible AI use in education.
Countries issue commitments at the summit’s end
This year’s ISTP theme, “Shifting Gears: Teachers and Learners in the Future Learning Environment”, focuses on supporting teachers’ evolving roles, responsible AI use, and maintaining professional autonomy amid rapid change.
Over three days, education ministers, teachers’ union leaders, teachers and school leaders from Australia, Canada, Finland, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and other top-performing systems will visit Estonian schools, exchange experiences on AI implementation and teacher support strategies, and—on 11 March—announce their commitments their countries will undertake over the next year.
“Teachers want to be partners in this transformation,” said Mr Reemo Voltri, President of the Estonian Educational Personnel Union. “We need technology that supports our professional work and gives us more time for what matters most—working directly with students.”
Mr David Edwards, General Secretary of Education International, emphasised the collaborative nature of the discussions: “In order for systems to benefit from the potential of AI, teachers must have the requisite autonomy, professional discretion and trust to ensure that said systems are pedagogically appropriate, developmentally sound, and anchored in the student-teacher relationship.”
Summit details
Participating countries: Australia (Victoria), Canada (Quebec), Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland). Austria and Germany (Bavaria) are participating as observers.
Theme: “Shifting Gears: Teachers and Learners in the Future Learning Environment”
Livestreams available: istp2026.ee, YouTube, and Facebook
About ISTP
The International Summit on the Teaching Profession has been held annually since 2011 and is internationally regarded as the most influential education policy summit. Participation is by invitation only, extended to OECD member countries demonstrating excellence in PISA assessments. The summit’s unique format brings together ministers, union leaders, and practitioners for substantive peer-to-peer learning.
ISTP 2026 is organised by the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research in cooperation with the OECD, Education International, and the Estonian Educational Personnel Union.