by Angela Karadog, AI Pioneers.
Here at the AI Pioneers project we are excited to announce the launch of our evaluation schema for AI in education on data, privacy, ethics, and EU values which offers educators and organisations a critical compass for navigating AI in teaching and learning.
Beyond Technology: An Ethical Approach to AI in Learning
This innovative framework isn’t just about implementing new technology – it’s about responsible integration. The evaluation schema focuses on core ethical principles that guide organisations to transform AI from a tool into a responsible educational partner. We focussed the work on these key pillars:
- Diversity: Ensuring AI technologies serve and represent all learners
- Transparency: Making AI processes clear and understandable
- Privacy: Protecting student and institutional data
- Sustainability: Implementing AI with long-term educational goals in mind
- AI Literacy: Empowering educators and students to understand and critically engage with AI technologies
Practical Guidance for Educational Institutions
The schema provides a comprehensive framework addressing critical areas such as; Assessing current AI use, AI maturity and related AI ethical concerns’, AI Governance and Monitoring, Operational Considerations, and Pedagogical Considerations. To complement the work there’s also a Handbook on policy and ethics in the use of AI in Education in the pipeline.
To implement the schema for yourself, you can either work your way through the questions and situations in our interactive presentation or download a pdf document for an in-depth analysis of your personal and organisational practices.
Think of this like a self-check-up for your institution. Before jumping into the deep end with AI, you need to know where you’re standing. How tech-savvy is your institution really? Are you still figuring out how to use the printer, or are you already running sophisticated learning platforms? (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!)
Here’s a quick taster of what to expect;
Assessing current AI use, AI maturity and related AI ethical concerns:
- How much you’re actually using AI and digital tech in your daily operations
- How well your organisation supports and embraces these tools
AI Governance and monitoring:
- Following privacy laws
- Making sure your AI isn’t playing favorites Keeping everything transparent
- Getting your staff up to speed with AI training
Operational considerations:
- Making sure humans are still in the driver’s seat
- Helping everyone understand what AI can (and can’t) do
Pedagogical considerations:
- Using AI without killing creativity
- Handling those sticky assessment situations (yes, we’re looking at you, ChatGPT) Copyright issues
- Getting students ready for a world where AI is everywhere
Other Considerations:
- Making AI environmentally friendly
- Ethical design
- Dealing with commercialization
By adopting this thoughtful, questioning approach, educators can do more than simply integrate AI—they can lead responsible transformation through ethically informed choices.
AI Pioneers: Transforming Education Through Ethical AI Integration
The AI Pioneers project as a whole is focused on promoting and supporting the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education with a focus on Adult Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET). The project is an ERASMUS+ Forward Looking Project, which began in January 2023 and which is funded until December 2025.
Through AI Pioneers we aim to address a number of different issues. First and foremost, given the increasing impact of AI in education and the evolving needs of professionals in different institutions for support in their everyday use of AI and in their development of professional skills, the project aims to develop an extensive network of AI Pioneers across partner countries and beyond.
Building a Community of Innovation
AI Pioneers isn’t just about implementing technology – it’s about creating a community. The AI Pioneers project is establishing a Reference Network, bringing together educators, policymakers, and AI developers to share practices, ideas and resources. This network, operating via LinkedIn, EPALE and the project blog, serves as a vibrant hub for professionals in Adult Education and Vocational Education and Training (VET), fostering collaboration and innovation. If this sounds like you, please come and join us.
Expanding Digital Competence for the AI Era
Another one of the project’s significant contributions is its enhancement of the DigCompEDU Framework to include AI competences for educators in Vocational and Adult education. This comprehensive supplement addresses six crucial areas:
- Professional Engagement
- Digital Resources
- Teaching and Learning
- Assessment
- Empowering Learners
- Facilitating Learner’s Digital Competence
Within each domain, the framework provides practical guidance on AI implementation, skill development pathways, and strategies for overcoming common challenges.
Practical Tools for Educational Innovation
You can also find lots of teaching, learning and assessment resources on our website, The AI Pioneers Toolkit stands as a testament to the project’s practical approach. It offers:
- Curriculum recommendations for AI integration
- Comprehensive analysis of AI benefits and risks
- Best practices for educational AI implementation
- Curated collection of teaching tools
For more information and access to the resources, visit www.aipioneers.org.
Author
Angela Karadog, AI Pioneers.
