The European Union is preparing to introduce an "AI literacy" certificate for schoolchildren, a move intended to help the next generation navigate the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Brussels plans to roll out the certification for 15-year-old students starting in the 2027-2028 academic year.
European Commission vice president Roxana Minzatu explained that the initiative is designed to provide pupils with the necessary tools to understand how AI operates. According to Minzatu, the certificate will teach students how to verify the information provided by AI, identify instances of manipulation, and recognize when it is appropriate to disconnect from the technology.
The project arrives as educators and students globally grapple with the integration of AI into school environments. While the European Union does not maintain direct control over the educational policies of its member states, the bloc is actively supporting research into how AI can be safely incorporated into the classroom. Brussels maintains that increasing AI literacy among teachers and students will improve their capacity to learn by helping them understand the mechanics and potential risks of the technology.
In addition to the AI literacy project, the European Union is currently pursuing legislation aimed at restricting social media access for younger teenagers. Although the EU does not control the educational policies of its member states, it is already backing efforts to study how to safely implement AI in children's teaching. Addressing concerns that these two policies might conflict, Minzatu insisted they are distinct initiatives. She emphasized that AI holds the potential to enhance specific educational processes, such as personalized learning and tutoring, noting that these applications are fundamentally different from the addictive algorithms utilized by social media platforms.
"Those are ways to use technology and AI that have nothing to do with the addictive algorithms of platforms."
