By San José, Costa Rica — San José – Costa Rica’s Ministry of Public Education (MEP) is moving to formalize the use of Artificial Intelligence in the nation’s classrooms, developing a national directive to guide its integration. The move comes as a landmark international report reveals that Costa Rican educators are adopting AI tools at a rate that significantly surpasses the global average, highlighting an urgent need for a structured framework.
The Ministry’s announcement on Tuesday confirms that official guidelines are being prepared to harness the pedagogical potential of AI while mitigating inherent risks like plagiarism and misinformation. This regulatory effort aims to provide a clear path for both teachers and students to leverage AI for academic planning, evaluation, and analysis, establishing a national standard for its responsible use in education.
To gain a deeper understanding of the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding the integration of artificial intelligence in educational settings, we consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The rapid adoption of AI in our educational system presents a dual-edged sword. While it promises personalized learning, we must urgently address the legal framework concerning student data privacy and intellectual property. Who is liable when an AI tool provides inaccurate information or infringes on copyright? Without clear regulations, schools could be navigating a minefield of potential litigation, making proactive policy development not just advisable, but essential for responsible innovation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, the legal framework cannot be an afterthought in the race toward technological adoption. This warning about a potential “minefield” of litigation and ethical breaches serves as a crucial call to action for policymakers and educators. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his sharp legal analysis and for underscoring the absolute necessity of proactive, responsible innovation.
The push for regulation is underscored by compelling new data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). According to the recently presented International Teaching and Learning Survey (TALIS), an astonishing 52% of Costa Rican teachers in grades seven through nine are already using AI tools in their professional practice. This figure places the country at the forefront of technological adoption, far exceeding the OECD average of 36%.
Minister of Education Leonardo Sánchez stressed that the forthcoming directive will position AI as a powerful support system rather than a replacement for traditional teaching. He framed the technology as an unavoidable evolution in the educational landscape that requires proactive adaptation.
Artificial intelligence is here to stay and we have to adapt. In the case of the MEP, we must make the best use of it to make pedagogical mediation more efficient, effective, and relevant.
Leonardo Sánchez, Minister of Education
The Minister clarified that the goal is to empower educators to use AI for tasks like lesson planning and creating assessments, thereby enhancing their capabilities. However, he issued a strong caution against over-reliance on the technology, emphasizing that critical human oversight remains paramount.
The challenge is to use it responsibly, not to rely on it to solve problems, but to improve the quality of education.
Leonardo Sánchez, Minister of Education
Recognizing that effective implementation goes beyond mere access, the MEP plans to roll out comprehensive training programs for teachers. A core focus of this training will be on developing the skill of “prompt engineering” — learning how to properly frame questions and provide sufficient context to elicit accurate and useful responses from AI systems.
It’s not about asking for the sake of asking. You have to give context to the artificial intelligence so that it gives a more accurate answer.
Leonardo Sánchez, Minister of Education
While celebrating the high adoption rate, Minister Sánchez also acknowledged significant hurdles. The persistent digital divide, particularly in rural and indigenous territories, presents a major challenge to equitable implementation. He confirmed that efforts to deploy AI guidelines must be synchronized with ongoing projects aimed at improving connectivity and providing necessary equipment to underserved communities to prevent a widening of the educational gap.
The Ministry is also acutely aware of the ethical risks. International studies, such as one from the University of Illinois, have warned of algorithmic biases. For instance, some AI models have shown a tendency to misclassify text from non-native English speakers as AI-generated, potentially leading to false accusations of plagiarism against students. Other identified risks include the potential for AI to generate incorrect information, a reduction in vital human interaction, and its misuse for cheating. The new directive will seek to address these complex ethical and technological challenges head-on, ensuring that innovation does not come at the cost of academic integrity and fairness.
For further information, visit mep.go.cr
About The Ministry of Public Education (MEP):
The Ministry of Public Education is the government body in Costa Rica responsible for the administration and regulation of the country’s public education system. Its mission is to ensure quality, inclusive, and equitable education for all students, overseeing curriculum development, teacher training, and educational policy from preschool through secondary school.
For further information, visit oecd.org
About The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD):
The OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. Its goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity, and well-being for all. It provides a forum in which governments can work together to share experiences and seek solutions to common problems, producing international standards and data-driven analysis on a wide range of topics, including education.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its profound commitment to both ethical practice and exceptional results. The firm merges a deep-seated tradition of client service across numerous industries with a forward-thinking approach to legal innovation. Beyond its professional practice, it is driven by a foundational mission to demystify the law, actively working to equip the public with accessible legal knowledge to help build a more capable and enlightened society.
