Cyprus' Minister of Education outlines roadmap for AI integration in education

Cyprus' Ministry of Education, Sport, and Youth is preparing a roadmap and action plan to introduce and integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Cyprus' education system.

Announced by Minister Athena Michaelidou at a recent conference, the plan will involve collaborations with international organisations, ministries, and AI experts both locally and abroad.

According to the Minister, the initiative will critically assess global best practices for AI in education and include teacher training programs focused on AI usage in classrooms, with an emphasis on ethical frameworks.

Michaelidou stressed the importance of adaptability in education to prepare students for current and future challenges. She expressed the Ministry’s committed to reshaping the educational landscape so that every individual, regardless of age, is equipped with the skills and flexibility needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

She also highlighted the Ministry's alignment with the European Commission's Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027, which focuses on creating a high-performing digital education ecosystem and enhancing digital skills. She also referenced the Council of Europe’s Education Strategy 2024-2030, emphasising the transformative power of education in achieving societal goals.

She explained that the Ministry’s vision encompasses promoting literacy, multilingualism, and competencies in mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. It also includes fostering skills such as creative and critical thinking, problem-solving, and intercultural communication.

This vision, as she said, was being realised through the modernisation of curricula, which has entered its pilot phase, and the provision of new technical equipment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. She also said that comprehensive teacher training programs were being developed to support the effective use of these new resources.

The Minister emphasised the triad of Digitally Competent Students, Teachers, and Schools as the guiding principles for the Ministry’s initiatives. She pointed out the importance of ethical AI use in education.

Michaelidou was speaking at the at the 'Learning Innovation Summit 2024' hosted at the University of Nicosia, with the title 'Unveiling The Future οf Learning & Artificial Intelligence.' It was organised in collaboration with the CARDET Research Centre, the University of Nicosia, the University of Groningen, and University College Dublin.

(Source: CNA)