The Soft Power that can create a safer and more inclusive digital world
At first glance, education is often seen as a domestic responsibility: a way to provide structured learning for a country’s citizens. In reality, it is one of the most effective forms of soft power a nation can use to build international influence, trust, and long-term relationships. This is not a new idea.
Across decades, countries have used education to extend their global reach. The United Kingdom is a strong example: its education system attracts international students, establishes schools and campuses abroad, and helps shape future leaders.
My first experiences of education were shaped across varied settings: classrooms in the UK, British textbooks in Saudi Arabia, and my British mother teaching my sisters and local children in a community centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Later, while we were living in Argentina, she established a school in our gated community for children from international backgrounds, using the UK curriculum. Despite living in different countries, our education remained distinctly British, as did that of those around us, whether British or not. The result is a subtle but important way in which British values and culture are integrated into the education and lives of others.
Many education systems now operate as global networks. Schools, universities, and qualification frameworks extend across borders, adapting to local contexts while maintaining shared standards. Canada has recognised this and, as recently as February 2026, announced international university partnerships to strengthen AI research and deepen global engagement. This reflects a broader movement towards collaboration in education that is shaping how societies align and evolve.
Soft Power as Long-Term Influence
The concept of soft power, introduced by Joseph Nye, refers to the ability of a country to influence others through attraction, credibility, and relationships rather than economic pressure or military force. Education is one of its most consistent and durable forms.
Unlike transactional influence, education shapes soft power over time through shared experience, cultural exposure, and sustained engagement. Countries that educate international students or export curricula do more than share knowledge. They create familiarity with their institutions, language, and ways of thinking, which can influence future collaboration in diplomacy, trade, regulation, and innovation. This form of influence is about trust, access, and long-term relevance.
A Shift in Context: Artificial Intelligence
The role of education is becoming more critical as artificial intelligence reshapes economies and societies. AI is influencing how decisions are made, how information is distributed, and how work is organised. Yet understanding of AI remains uneven, creating gaps in knowledge, access, and participation.
Global efforts continue to prioritise infrastructure, research, and technological development, and, unfortunately (and perhaps short-sightedly), less on public AI awareness and AI education for all citizens. Without broad-based AI literacy that is integrated into education, the benefits of technological progress risk being unevenly distributed.
From National Education Systems to Global AI Leadership
There is a clear opportunity for global leadership by countries to set the standard for AI literacy through education — from K-12, to universities, to local community centres. International organisations such as UNESCO and the OECD have developed frameworks to guide this work. However, global coordination still lags behind investment in research and infrastructure, with education often remaining siloed from broader AI strategies. Countries that invest in AI literacy are doing more than preparing their own populations. They are contributing to a more stable and predictable global environment for the adoption of AI technologies.
And it is in this context that soft power in education is evolving. It is no longer only about cultural influence or academic reputation, but about shaping how societies understand and engage with emerging technologies. This influence is built through education systems and shared learning frameworks.
Education shapes how individuals and societies interpret the world. From a young age, it influences values, norms, and understanding, and in the age of artificial intelligence, it also shapes how that world is built and governed.
Soft power is increasingly rooted in education and shared understanding of the world. Countries that connect AI literacy with education will not only strengthen their own social and economic systems, but also contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Sources
Canada and India welcomed 13 new partnerships between Canadian and Indian universities
McGill will establish an AI education and research centre in India
UK International Strategy 2026
Soft Power, by Joseph Nye
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