National program will use artificial intelligence as an educational tutor in over 5,000 elementary and high schools
The government of El Salvador has announced an agreement with xAI, the artificial intelligence company founded by Elon Musk, to implement Grok, an AI-based educational chatbot, in more than 5,000 public schools across the country. Considered by the government to be the first national education program fully based on artificial intelligence, the initiative will be rolled out gradually over the next two years.
According to authorities, the program aims to provide personalized academic support, promote educational leveling, and expand access to quality education, benefiting students in both urban areas and rural communities.
Personalized Learning With Grok
In an official statement, xAI said that Grok will enable an adaptive learning experience, adjusting to each student’s pace, preferences, language, and level of mastery. The proposal is for the system to function as an educational tutor, offering real-time academic support aligned with El Salvador’s national curriculum.
The company emphasized that the initiative seeks to ensure that all children, regardless of geographic location, have access to world-class education tailored to their individual needs.
Co-Development and a National AI-in-Education Plan
The project will be co-developed by the Salvadoran government and xAI, marking the first time a program of this kind is implemented on a national scale. According to xAI, the partnership will also serve as a foundation for developing validated methodologies, educational datasets, and regulatory practices focused on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in education.
In addition, both parties intend to establish governance, auditing, and security frameworks that could guide future global implementations of AI in classrooms.
Bukele Bets on Technology Once Again
President Nayib Bukele, 44, often described as a millennial-generation leader, said that El Salvador will be a “pioneer in AI-driven education.” In an official statement, he stressed that the country does not wait for the future to happen, but instead acts to build it through bold technological policies.
The partnership strengthens political and commercial ties between the Bukele administration and Musk’s business ecosystem. Past collaboration includes the use of Starlink to expand internet access in rural regions.
Bukele drew international attention in 2021, when El Salvador became the first country in the world to legalize Bitcoin as legal tender.
Beyond education, the president has gained global visibility for his public security policies. In 2019, El Salvador was considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world, but since 2022 it has recorded a historic drop in homicides, attributed to a state of emergency that enabled mass arrests of gang members and intensive operations against organized crime. In 2024, the country reached one of the lowest homicide rates in the region, according to official data.
Last month, the government also announced a partnership with Google to launch a mobile app that will allow free virtual medical consultations assisted by AI.
Analysts note that this sequence of initiatives aligns with the national strategy to develop a technology-driven economy.
Statements From Elon Musk, Nayib Bukele, and Global Impact
The leaders involved celebrated the agreement as a milestone of strategic vision and boldness.
“El Salvador does not merely wait for the future to happen; we build it. With xAI leading frontier models, this partnership is set to deliver something truly extraordinary for all of humanity,” Bukele said.
Musk added:
“By partnering with President Bukele to bring Grok to every student, we are putting the most advanced AI directly into the hands of an entire generation.”
Teachers Remain Central to the Educational Process
The Ministry of Education emphasized that teachers will remain fundamental to the learning process. They will receive training to integrate the technology into classrooms, using Grok as a complementary tool, not a replacement for traditional teaching.
xAI stated that the project will also support thousands of educators, reinforcing AI as a collaborative partner in the school environment.
Concerns and Calls for Oversight
Despite government enthusiasm, experts and civil society organizations have expressed concerns about the overuse of AI, particularly regarding students’ critical thinking and data protection.
Teachers’ unions have called for transparency, as well as clear oversight and auditing mechanisms. The presidency said that more details about the pilot phase, the full timeline, and teacher training plans will be released in early 2026.
El Salvador as a Global Innovation Lab
For the government, the partnership with xAI represents another step toward positioning El Salvador as a global innovation laboratory. According to President Bukele, the goal is to “go straight to the top” technologically by betting on artificial intelligence as a strategic tool to transform the education system and reduce learning inequalities.
Related link: xAI