EU develops AI literacy certificate for school pupils
Brussels wants to introduce the certificate for successful 15-year-old students in the 2027-2028 school year.
The EU said it has begun developing a certificate in artificial intelligence literacy, with plans to introduce it for 15-year-old pupils during the 2027-2028 school year. Successful students would receive the qualification as Brussels seeks to address AI’s impact on education.
Roxana Minzatu, European Commission vice president, said pupils should learn to assess AI responses, identify manipulation and recognise when to stop using the technology. Brussels also wants teachers to understand AI’s operation and risks, saying this could support learning.
PISA 2025 statistics put the share of EU 15-year-olds underachieving in literacy and mathematics at around one in three. Brussels hopes AI can support both teaching and learning. While member states retain control over education policy, the EU already supports research into safe uses of AI in teaching children.
Separately, Brussels is pursuing legislation restricting social media access for young teenagers. Minzatu rejected any contradiction between that effort and the certificate initiative, distinguishing educational uses such as tutoring and personalised learning from platforms’ addictive algorithms.
