Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important part of our lives, whether we knowingly embrace it or not. From social media to online movie platforms, AI systems penetrate human existence to offer benefits such as personalised experiences and simplify daily tasks, deeply changing the way we live. Rapid technological advances in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) promise significant economic benefits (e.g. UK GDP to be 10% higher in 2030 as a direct result of AI through increased productivity and increased quality of products). As AI systems become embedded into our daily lives and behaviours, we can also expect an increasingly higher impact of these systems on our future, namely on jobs and competences required to successful careers. With the AI market estimated to reach around 15 trillion USD by the year 2030, the push for integrating AI in the school curriculum is only growing. The delivery of this innovative gamification training package for schools, whilst exposing school teachers to the a cutting-edge research environment, will enable the 2AI project to engage and communicate effectively with school pupils, educators, policy makers, software engineers and data scientists involved in the application of AI, whilst inspiring them to become the next generation of leading innovators in that field. After completion of the project, school pupils and teachers will be fully capable of driving AI awareness education at the international level. Thus, 2AI project structure will serve as a European platform for outstanding teacher and pupil training in AI technologies and its societal implications. 2AI innovative research programme will create new learning software solutions that will aid the Road to AI and the EU Single Digital market initiative using AI in the future; it will produce novel interactive learning AI techniques to help users understand their benefits and societal implications. Additionally, we have an opportunity to engage and empower the imagination of the younger generations to shape and improve the world they are going to inherit, especially as children create unique perspectives as the first generation surrounded by AI systems. For all these reasons, it is critical to introduce or reinforce the approach to this topic with children and improve their AI literacy. AI literacy begins with a basic understanding of what AI is, the language surrounding the technological and social aspects of AI, how AI works and how it is currently playing a role in our daily lives, in addition to potential implications in jobs and careers. In a way, the objective of AI literacy is to eradicate the misconceptions around AI and to create an all-inclusive ecosystem where all members of the community are equipped with the basic skills needed to pursue further learning to better adapt to a changing world where AI will be prevalent. However, the education systems, including in the partner countries, as well as teachers and parents, are unprepared to address this complex topic, emphasising the need to (i) raise awareness about the importance of AI literacy, (ii) to make available learning resources on these topics and (iii) to equip educators to engage in learning activities with children. Project Adventure in AI - Developing Children’s AI Literacy (2AI) aims to develop a gamified approach to increase children’s (7-12 year olds) AI literacy, and to raise awareness and equip educators to address AI topics in the classrooms and in other learning contexts (including non-formal and informal learning). This gamified learning approach will include 2 main elements (Intellectual Outputs): • Digital game, creating an interactive experience to explore AI-related concepts and topics, to raise children’s AI literacy. • Gamified Workshops & Kit, for educators and children, to raise awareness about the importance of AI literacy, to developed AI-related competences and promote and empower educators in the 2AI learning approach. This initiative is led by Aston University and schools and companies from 5 countries: • Aston University (UK) • CEIPSO Maestro Rodrigo (Spain) • Advancis Business Services, Lda (Portugal) • Boon Unipessoal, Lda (Portugal) • Szkoła Podstawowa nr 1 w Kątach Wrocławskich im. Kardynała Bolesława Kominka (Poland) • Ellinogermaniki Agogi (Greece)
AI literacy begins with a basic understanding of what AI is, the language surrounding the technical and social aspects of AI, how AI works and the role it plays in our daily lives, in addition to potential implications for jobs and careers. AI concepts can be complex and somewhat abstract, making them difficult to grasp, especially by children. So, a methodology capable of explaining key AI concepts in an age-appropriate way, of creating impactful and lasting experiences and of engaging children in the learning process was required. Game-based learning, and specifically the use of learning digital games, offered a good response to this challenge. The project developed a gamified approach to increase children’s (7-12 year olds) AI literacy, raise awareness and help educators to address AI topics in the classrooms and in other learning environments (both non-formal and informal learning), with two main components: • Digital Game - creating an interactive experience to explore AI-related concepts and topics, to raise children’s AI literacy. • Gamified Workshops & Kit, for educators and children - to raise awareness about the importance of AI literacy, to develop AI competences and empower educators in the 2AI learning approach.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly important part of our everyday life. From social media to online movie platforms, AI systems offer personalised experience and simplify daily tasks, deeply changing the way we live. As AI systems become embedded into our daily lives and behaviours, AI usage is undoubtedly expected to rise, offering considerable benefits, they also pose ethical and security questions, and even concerns related to the perception of intelligence, cognitive development and social behaviour. There is also a growing impact of these systems on jobs and professional competences. It is, therefore, critical to introduce the AI topic to children and improve their AI literacy. However, education systems, as well as teachers and parents, are not yet prepared to address this, so there is an urgent need to raise awareness about the importance of AI literacy, make available learning resources on this topic and equip educators with necessary knowledge and resources. Additionally, the project had an opportunity to engage and empower children's imagination to help them shape and improve the world they are going to inherit, as today's children are the first generation surrounded by AI systems.