Artificial intelligence has swiftly made its mark as a game-changing force across numerous industries, and education is no exception.
Generative AI is opening new doors in the field providing personalised learning experiences, managing administrative tasks, and offering new ways to provide feedback among others. The new possibilities also bring new challenges around academic originality and integrity, data privacy, bias and discrimination.
Students, teachers, parents and guardians will need to master new skills to be able to use these tools effectively and responsibly.
Organisations such as UNESCO and the World Economic Forum are stepping up to provide guidance on the skills and values needed for teachers and students to effectively and responsibly use AI tools in the classroom. Countries are starting to integrate AI education in school curricula.
Why GenAI4ED?
On 25 October, we launched GenAI4ED, a three-year timely project dedicated to advancing digital skills for students, teachers, and parents. Our initiative goes beyond skill-building; it also explores perceptions of AI in education and identifies practical ways to integrate it effectively.
AI is not the solution to every challenge in education, but it is a growing force that will reshape how we teach and learn. That is why it is important now to work and ensure AI serves as a positive and supportive tool. This is the core mission of GenAI4ED. Our goal is to empower individuals to use AI tools responsibly, understand their functionality, and use critical thinking to evaluate their applications.
This project places people at the centre of the conversation.
The role of teachers
Teachers, as the heart of the classroom, play an indispensable role, and supporting their well-being is a top priority. We recognise the concerns surrounding teacher-student relationships and mental health as AI makes its way to education. GenAI4ED is committed to fostering solutions that enhance, rather than diminish, teachers’ roles and their relationship with students.
Why focus on secondary students?
Our primary focus is on students aged 11-18, a critical period in their educational journey. These years are vital for developing the skills and confidence necessary to blossom. GenAI4Ed aims to provide tools and strategies to ensure students thrive during this transitional phase from primary to higher education. We are working to design fresh and engaging methods that make learning about GenAI both effective and enjoyable.
How about parents and guardians?
Parents and guardians accompany children in their growth journey, and their involvement is highly valued our project. To ensure that our platform and research activities align with the needs and expectations of families, we will actively involve parents and guardian in different ways. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with our team in the design and development process of the GenAI4ED platform. We will also engage them in interviews to gather their perspectives.
Building a future of awareness
At GenAI4ED, we envision a future where generative AI is used with awareness and responsibility by all—students, teachers, parents and guardians alike. While AI offers powerful opportunities, human connection remains the cornerstone of effective learning. By supporting teachers, students and parents to better understand generative AI, we aim to contribute to a brighter and more inclusive future for education.
As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to sharing our progress, insights, and successes with you. The future of learning is unfolding, and we are thrilled to have you with us every step of the way. Stay tuned for updates as we work together to redefine what is possible in education!
Do you want to get involved? Get in touch with us though the contact form.
Francesca Trevisan*, Pinelopi Troullinou*, Theodora Giatagana**
*Trilateral research
**Found.Ation Maker’s Place