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GenAI4ED: the project set to transform secondary education with Generative Artificial Intelligence

November 19th, 2024 IMDEA Networks Institute

In October 2024, the GenAI4ED project officially began—a groundbreaking international initiative funded by Horizon Europe in which IMDEA Networks is actively involved. The project aims to explore how generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools can revolutionize secondary education. Scheduled to run until September 2027, GenAI4ED focuses on developing a digital platform to assess and select GenAI-based educational software, promoting its effective integration into classrooms.

The project's goal is to provide personalized recommendations based on a set of predefined criteria. This will allow teachers and students to identify the tools best suited to their specific needs, taking into account not only the technical effectiveness of the tools but also their impact on the overall educational experience. "GenAI4ED proposes a framework to systematically assess the impact of generative AI tools on educators, focusing on their efficiency, working conditions, job satisfaction, and overall well-being," explains Nikolaos Laoutaris, Research Professor and Principal Investigator of the project at IMDEA Networks.

Synergy between humans and AI: the key to GenAI4ED

GenAI4ED champions an innovative approach that combines the potential of generative AI with human expertise. Generative AI is impacting society in multiple ways, but its application in education is particularly crucial, with "long-term consequences" that demand a thorough and carefully monitored analysis. "We need to closely monitor and make the best use of AI in educational contexts. We will employ AI, but not in isolation—rather, in a synergistic way with humans involved, including students, educators, AI specialists, and psychologists, among others," emphasizes Laoutaris.

Three educational pilots

The digital platform will also be tested through several educational pilots conducted across different countries, assessing the impact of GenAI tools in real teaching environments.

In Wonderful Education (Italy): 100 students and 30 teachers from public schools will participate in controlled testing scenarios.
In the UK, at The Grammar School: 180 students aged 12–18 will explore the platform in subjects like STEM, languages, and arts.
In Greece, at Ellinogermaniki Agogi: 15 teachers and 200 students will take part in a pilot project, with a school psychologist monitoring the psychological impact of daily use of the GenAI platform.

The project goes beyond simple technological evaluation. "One of the key objectives is to investigate the complementarity between generative AI and educators' skills," Laoutaris notes. Additionally, the project will explore the ethical and psychological implications of AI use in classrooms, seeking to address issues like technostress that can arise from the adoption of new technologies.

Ensuring ethical and legal compliance

IMDEA Networks plays a crucial role in ensuring that the developed tools meet regulatory and ethical standards. "IMDEA Networks will develop innovative techniques using large language models (LLMs) to audit the compliance of the platform and the educational tools with GDPR and education-specific regulations," explains Laoutaris. The IMDEA Networks team will also focus on algorithmic design and data analysis, collaborating with other partners to implement these tools both as standalone applications and as part of integrated educational platforms.

Transforming education and society

The expected impact of GenAI4ED is significant for both education and society at large. As Laoutaris points out, "education is the foundation of our future as a society, and generative AI must play an important role in it." The project has the potential to transform secondary education by optimizing educational resources while ensuring the ethical and responsible integration of technology that prioritizes the well-being of educators and students.

Ultimately, GenAI4ED aims not only to explore how generative AI tools can enhance secondary education but also to establish a solid foundation for their large-scale implementation. The project ensures that adoption is effective, ethical, and beneficial for all stakeholders involved.

Provided by IMDEA Networks Institute

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