The Ethics of Digital Education: A Reference Framework was officially released at the 2026 World Digital Education Conference (WDEC) on May 12. The document provides a systematic ethical framework and codes of conduct for the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in basic education, higher education, and vocational education.

The document outlines four principles. First, decision-making should rest with humans, with AI serving only as a supplementary tool. Second, human–AI collaboration should build on complementary strengths of both humans and AI systems while avoiding overreliance on AI. Third, AI systems should be adapted to specific learning environments and be used for the greater good. Fourth, differentiated governance should be adopted to address various AI-related ethical risks.

The document identifies three types of risks and lays out the principles for deciding who should be held accountable. It also sets forth codes of conduct for educators, learners, and education institutions in the fields of basic education, higher education, and vocational education. With regards to risk prevention and control, the document specifies three AI application scenarios—prohibited, limited, and encouraged use of AI tools—and outlines a dynamic adjustment mechanism to ensure rational and wise human–AI interaction.

By delineating the methods, boundaries, and principles of AI integration in education, the document aims to strike a balance between harnessing advanced technology and fulfilling the mission of education, thereby ensuring that the outcomes of AI development can be leveraged to benefit all learners in an equitable way.