ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN EDUCATION AS A FACTOR FOR SUSTAINABLE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Abstract

Sustainable regional development is closely linked to the quality of human capital

and to the capacity of educational systems to prepare a workforce that meets the demands of the

contemporary economy. In the context of digital transformation and increasing regional disparities,

education plays a strategic role in supporting economic growth and social stability. Within this

framework, artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as an innovative tool with the potential to improve

the educational environment and contribute to more effective human capital development.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the role of artificial intelligence in education as a factor

for sustainable regional development and economic growth. The focus is placed on the application

of AI in school practice, particularly in vocational education, as a means of improving the quality of

learning and strengthening the alignment between educational outcomes and the needs of the local

economy.

Methodologically, the study is based on an analysis of scientific literature, strategic

documents, and educational policies related to digitalization, as well as on observations from

pedagogical practice involving the use of AI-based tools in the school environment. Special

attention is given to the role of teachers as a key factor in the effective and pedagogically grounded

integration of AI into the educational process.

The results of the analysis indicate that the use of artificial intelligence in education has the

potential to support the development of labor market–relevant skills and to create a more attractive

educational environment at the regional level. At the same time, the paper emphasizes that AI is not

a universal solution and that its sustainable impact on regional development depends on targeted

policies, qualified teachers, and strategic planning.