Hosts

• Linda Mannila, University of Helsinki, Finland & Linköping University
• Linnéa Stenliden, Linköping University
• Teresa Cerratto-Pargman, Stockholm University
• Cormac McGrath, Stockholm University
• Susanne Hägglund, Åbo Akademi University, Finland

Background and goal

The interest in questions related to AI in education has seen a large upswing after the rapid development and deployment of generative AI. As a result, much of the discussion centres around aspects related to using – or not using – chatbots and other AI-based systems for teaching and learning. AI in education should, however, not be reduced to only the using aspects. In the report “AI and education: Guidance for policymakers” (2021), UNESCO highlights three perspectives on AI in education: learning with AI, learning about AI and learning to work and live with AI. This emphasizes the need for AI literacy, a term that has been used to frame the core skills needed to be an active, aware, and responsible citizen in an AI age. In this design oriented workshop we will focus on critical AI literacy, with the aim of uncovering what the critical stands for at different levels of education. We start with short lightning talks by the organizers highlighting their perspectives of critical AI literacy, after which all participants engage in a creative “writing postcards from the future” exercise. Attendees will assume the role of educators in 2035, reflecting on the impactful decisions made at national, regional and local level in 2025 that shaped critical AI literacy in curricula and policies. This approach encourages an exploration of possible near futures regarding education in an age of AI.

By emphasizing critical perspectives, our workshop addresses interdisciplinary questions while engaging with themes such as ethics, policy, and innovation. The goal is to both envision and question the role of education in fostering a society that is not only proficient in using AI but also critical and informed about its implications. The output of the workshop will be summarized in a report made available online, containing 1) the postcards, 2) a summary of common themes and patterns emerging and 3) lessons learned and potential impact. The workshop will hence shed light on the critical awareness of complex ethical, societal, and regulatory challenges of education in relation to AI.

Call for participation

The workshop is open to a diverse and interdisciplinary group of participants, including educators, AI researchers, policy makers, and practitioners interested in the intersection of AI and education. The workshop will be particularly beneficial for those looking to integrate critical AI literacy into curricula or policy. The group size is limited to 20 in order to allow for fruitful discussions.

Registration information

To participate in the workshop, please prepare and submit a short (1 page) letter of interest, highlighting your motivation for participating in the workshop. Also include your name, contact information and a brief bio. Note! By registering to the workshop, participants agree that the postcards created during the workshop may be used in a future publication. Please submit your application to Linda Mannila (linda.mannila@helsinki.fi) by 19 October. Please note that in order to participate in this workshop you must also register for the conference via the event page.

Organizers

The workshop is organized by research groups with active research on AI Literacy in Finland (University of Helsinki and Åbo Akademi University) and Sweden (Linköping University and Stockholm University).