Italy Pioneers AI-Assisted Teaching in Schools to Enhance IT Skills
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Italy tests AI-assisted teaching in schools to boost IT skills
Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said this week - when schools reopened across Italy - that AI-assisted software would be tested in 15 classrooms across four regions, with a view to expand the scheme later if the experiment is successful. AI tools on classroom tablets and computers will act as "virtual assistants that can make learning easier for students and help teachers identify methods for an increasingly bespoke education," the minister told the TGcom24 news channel. Italy has one of the worst basic digital skills scores in the 27-member EU, according to the bloc's statistical agency Eurostat, faring better only than Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Few details were given about the initiative, however. Valditara's office was not able to confirm the names of the schools that would test the new technology and expand on its workings. Also read: Books in, screens out: some Finnish pupils go back to paper after tech push However, the planned evaluation of the trial starting with this school year is "promising", Francesca Bastagli, head of research at the Fondazione Agnelli educational think tank, told Reuters on Friday. "It will hopefully tell us what works and what is needed for future rollouts of AI tools in schools to be inclusive and effective", she said. Italy's AI-push for schools came as the minister also issued a blanket ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, even for educational purposes. Also read: Know some leading Artificial intelligence tools that students and teachers can use Past attempts to digitalise Italian schools have proven difficult, including during the COVID pandemic, partly due to the advanced age of teaching staff, with more than half of them aged 50 or older, according to OECD data. Meloni has made AI one of the themes of this year's G7 summit, which was hosted by Italy. In their final communique, leaders said they would deepen their "cooperation to harness the benefits and manage the risks of (AI)".
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Italy tests AI-assisted teaching in schools to boost IT skills
Italy has one of the worst basic digital skills scores in the 27-member EU, according to the bloc's statistical agency Eurostat, faring better only than Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Few details were given about the initiative, however. Valditara's office was not able to confirm the names of the schools that would test the new technology and expand on its workings. However, the planned evaluation of the trial starting with this school year is "promising", Francesca Bastagli, head of research at the Fondazione Agnelli educational think tank, told Reuters on Friday. "It will hopefully tell us what works and what is needed for future rollouts of AI tools in schools to be inclusive and effective", she said. Italy's AI-push for schools came as the minister also issued a blanket ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, even for educational purposes. Past attempts to digitalise Italian schools have proven difficult, including during the COVID pandemic, partly due to the advanced age of teaching staff, with more than half of them aged 50 or older, according to OECD data. Meloni has made AI one of the themes of this year's G7 summit, which was hosted by Italy. In their final communique, leaders said they would deepen their "cooperation to harness the benefits and manage the risks of (AI)". (Reporting by Alberto Chiumento, Marta Di Donfrancesco, editing by Alvise Armellini, Angus MacSwan, William Maclean)
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Italy tests AI-assisted teaching in schools to boost IT skills
ROME, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Italy is introducing artificial intelligence in its schools as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government explores new ways to close the country's digital skills gap with other European Union members. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said this week - when schools reopened across Italy - that AI-assisted software would be tested in 15 classrooms across four regions, with a view to expand the scheme later if the experiment is successful. Advertisement · Scroll to continue AI tools on classroom tablets and computers will act as "virtual assistants that can make learning easier for students and help teachers identify methods for an increasingly bespoke education," the minister told the TGcom24 news channel. Italy has one of the worst basic digital skills scores in the 27-member EU, according to the bloc's statistical agency Eurostat, faring better only than Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Advertisement · Scroll to continue Few details were given about the initiative, however. Valditara's office was not able to confirm the names of the schools that would test the new technology and expand on its workings. However, the planned evaluation of the trial starting with this school year is "promising", Francesca Bastagli, head of research at the Fondazione Agnelli educational think tank, told Reuters on Friday. "It will hopefully tell us what works and what is needed for future rollouts of AI tools in schools to be inclusive and effective", she said. Italy's AI-push for schools came as the minister also issued a blanket ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, even for educational purposes. Past attempts to digitalise Italian schools have proven difficult, including during the COVID pandemic, partly due to the advanced age of teaching staff, with more than half of them aged 50 or older, according to OECD data. Meloni has made AI one of the themes of this year's G7 summit, which was hosted by Italy. In their final communique, leaders said they would deepen their "cooperation to harness the benefits and manage the risks of (AI)". Reporting by Alberto Chiumento, Marta Di Donfrancesco, editing by Alvise Armellini, Angus MacSwan, William Maclean Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
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Italy Tests AI-Assisted Teaching in Schools to Boost IT Skills
(Makes clear think tank expert referred to the evaluation of the trial, not the trial itself, in paragraph 6) ROME (Reuters) - Italy is introducing artificial intelligence in its schools as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government explores new ways to close the country's digital skills gap with other European Union members. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said this week - when schools reopened across Italy - that AI-assisted software would be tested in 15 classrooms across four regions, with a view to expand the scheme later if the experiment is successful. AI tools on classroom tablets and computers will act as "virtual assistants that can make learning easier for students and help teachers identify methods for an increasingly bespoke education," the minister told the TGcom24 news channel. Italy has one of the worst basic digital skills scores in the 27-member EU, according to the bloc's statistical agency Eurostat, faring better only than Latvia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Few details were given about the initiative, however. Valditara's office was not able to confirm the names of the schools that would test the new technology and expand on its workings. However, the planned evaluation of the trial starting with this school year is "promising", Francesca Bastagli, head of research at the Fondazione Agnelli educational think tank, told Reuters on Friday. "It will hopefully tell us what works and what is needed for future rollouts of AI tools in schools to be inclusive and effective", she said. Italy's AI-push for schools came as the minister also issued a blanket ban on the use of mobile phones in classrooms, even for educational purposes. Past attempts to digitalise Italian schools have proven difficult, including during the COVID pandemic, partly due to the advanced age of teaching staff, with more than half of them aged 50 or older, according to OECD data. Meloni has made AI one of the themes of this year's G7 summit, which was hosted by Italy. In their final communique, leaders said they would deepen their "cooperation to harness the benefits and manage the risks of (AI)". (Reporting by Alberto Chiumento, Marta Di Donfrancesco, editing by Alvise Armellini, Angus MacSwan, William Maclean)
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Italy launches a groundbreaking initiative to integrate AI-assisted teaching in schools, aiming to boost IT skills among students and prepare them for the digital future.
Italy's Innovative Education Initiative
Italy has embarked on an ambitious project to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its educational system, marking a significant step towards modernizing its approach to teaching and learning. The initiative, spearheaded by the Italian government, aims to enhance IT skills among students and prepare them for an increasingly digital world
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.The AI-Assisted Teaching Program
The program, set to launch in 100 Italian high schools, will introduce AI-powered teaching assistants to support educators in various subjects
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. These AI tools are designed to assist teachers in creating lesson plans, developing quizzes, and providing personalized learning experiences for students. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize Italy's education system and bridge the digital skills gap.Government Support and Funding
Italy's Education Minister, Giuseppe Valditara, has thrown his weight behind this innovative project. The government has allocated a substantial budget of 10 million euros ($10.7 million) to fund the initiative
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. This financial commitment underscores the importance Italy places on equipping its youth with essential digital competencies.Addressing the Digital Skills Gap
The introduction of AI in Italian classrooms comes at a crucial time. Recent data from the European Commission's 2023 Digital Economy and Society Index revealed that only 46% of Italians aged 16-74 possess basic digital skills, significantly below the EU average of 54%
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. This initiative aims to address this gap and improve Italy's standing in the digital landscape.Related Stories
Potential Impact and Future Prospects
If successful, the AI-assisted teaching program could revolutionize education in Italy and serve as a model for other countries. The initiative is expected to not only enhance students' IT skills but also foster a more interactive and engaging learning environment. As the program progresses, it will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness and potential for wider implementation across the Italian education system.
Challenges and Considerations
While the initiative shows promise, it also raises important questions about the role of technology in education. Educators and policymakers will need to carefully balance the use of AI tools with traditional teaching methods to ensure a well-rounded educational experience. Additionally, issues of data privacy and the ethical use of AI in educational settings will need to be addressed as the program expands.
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