ABSTRACT
Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is increasingly reshaping educational practices worldwide, yet adult learning and training remain underexplored in global AI-in-education debates. This introductory chapter frames the book's examination of AI in adult learning, training, and higher education through findings from a large-scale global survey of 1,947 adult educators across 36 countries. It briefly introduces the international collaboration that led to the survey, outlines its key components, and situates the study within major debates on AI adoption, educator agency, ethics, equity, and institutional readiness. The chapter highlights the uneven and context-dependent integration of AI across regions and countries, underscores educators' roles as agents of change, and outlines the structure of the book. It concludes by articulating the book's contribution to understanding current practices, emerging trends, and future pathways for responsible AI integration in lifelong learning systems.
