Exploring AI, Ethics and the Future of Language Assessment
The British Council’s flagship New Directions in English Language Assessment Conference made its debut in Germany this week, gathering 112 global experts in education, assessment, and applied linguistics at Berlin’s Humboldthafen. Over two days, delegates explored how artificial intelligence and digital communication are reshaping language learning and assessment, while reaffirming the enduring role of human expertise and ethical guidance.
Held under the theme Transforming Language Learning and Assessment: Real-World Communication in an Increasingly Digital Age, the conference addressed the growing intersection of technology and education. A dynamic programme of keynotes, panels and interactive sessions placed a spotlight on innovation, inclusion, and integrity in English language assessment.
Key insights included:
AI in Learning, Teaching and Assessment
- AI can enhance alignment across learning, teaching, and assessment, but ethical concerns (bias, transparency, fairness) must be central to its implementation.
- Training is key—educators need support to use AI effectively while maintaining human-centred education.
- The role of digital and human-to-machine communication in language learning is growing rapidly.
- No one is an AI expert. We need to focus on what the problem is, and then whether AI can be part of the solution.
- The best thing we can do is question everything.
- We should drive the use of AI (tech-enabled), not the other way round (tech-driven).
Assessment and test design
- A good test should challenge the test-taker while still requiring human expertise in assessment—AI can support, but not replace, human judgment.
- Teaching and test design are continuously evolving and must adapt to changing educational and technological landscapes.
- Training has a bigger impact on rating quality than experience alone—showing that well-structured training is key to ensuring fair and consistent assessment. This raises important questions about how we prepare assessors.
- The importance of integrating context-of-use into assessment design was reinforced.
Future visions for education
- Comprehensive learning systems need to integrate all elements—learning, teaching, assessment, and technology—seamlessly.
- Ethical and pedagogical considerations must guide AI adoption to avoid unintended consequences.
- Collaboration across disciplines (linguistics, AI, pedagogy) is essential to creating meaningful, future-ready education models.
In his closing remarks, Professor Barry O’Sullivan OBE, Head of Assessment Research and Development at the British Council, said:
"We’re at a critical turning point. AI can enhance efficiency and access, but only when implemented thoughtfully, with pedagogical rigour and ethical foresight. The future of language assessment must be both innovative and principled."
For a deeper dive into these ideas, read Professor O’Sullivan’s post-conference reflection, The Future of Language Assessment: Balancing AI, Ethics, and Human Expertise, which explores key insights from Berlin and the importance of human-centred, ethically grounded approaches to AI in assessment.
The conference also highlighted findings from the British Council’s recent research, Human-centred AI: Lessons for English Learning and Assessment, which calls for interdisciplinary collaboration and robust ethical frameworks as the sector embraces digital transformation.
New Directions is the British Council’s premier platform for thought leadership in English language assessment. Following successful events in Italy (2023) and Spain (2024), the Berlin edition underscored Europe’s growing role in global conversations on education innovation.
For more information, visit www.britishcouncil.org/new-directions and follow #NewDirections2025 on social media.