Through the project, we aimed to equip schools and communities with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and use AI in a critical, ethical, and educational way. The project objectives were to develop AI literacy among teachers and school leaders by helping them understand basic AI concepts, recognize good practices, integrate AI into teaching and school management, create digital content with AI, and use it safely, ethically, and in line with data protection rules. It also aimed to empower students by helping them understand how AI works, think critically about its opportunities and limits, create content with AI tools, understand ethical issues, and see AI’s role in inclusive and personalized learning. Another goal was to promote inclusive digital transformation by exploring how AI can support students with disabilities, disadvantaged learners, and personalized learning paths. The project involved parents and the community by raising awareness of AI literacy and ethics through meetings and digital resources, and by encouraging dialogue between schools and families. Finally, it strengthened cooperation and produced sustainable results such as a multilingual website and an AI literacy e-book to ensure long-term impact.
We applied for the project “An Essential Digital Competency: AI Literacy (Ar.In.Li)” to respond to a clear need in our schools: the lack of structured knowledge and critical understanding of Artificial Intelligence among teachers, students, school leaders, and families. Although AI is increasingly present in daily life, education, and the labour market, surveys and self-assessment tools showed that understanding is still limited. Basic awareness exists, but deeper skills—such as ethical use, data awareness, and creative use of AI tools—are weak. Teachers need support to integrate AI in a safe and pedagogically sound way; students lack opportunities to develop critical and ethical AI literacy; and families have little access to reliable information about AI’s benefits and risks. Schools also highlighted the need for inclusive digital transformation. AI can support students with disabilities, disadvantaged learners, and personalized learning paths, but without training and ethical awareness these opportunities risk being misused. Therefore, the project aims to strengthen AI literacy for all stakeholders, support teachers and leaders, empower students to use AI critically and responsibly, promote ethical and GDPR-compliant practices