EU plans AI literacy certificate for schoolchildren

The European Union said on November 5 that it plans to pilot an "AI literacy" certificate for schoolchildren as part of its response to the impact of artificial intelligence on education.

European Commission vice president Roxana Minzatu said the certificate would help young pupils understand how AI works, check what it tells them, spot manipulation and know when to switch off.

Brussels said it would seek to launch the certificate for 15-year-old learners in the 2027/2028 school year.

The plan comes as teachers and pupils worldwide grapple with artificial intelligence in classrooms. The EU does not control education policy in its 27 member states, but it is backing work on how to use AI safely in teaching.

Brussels is also pushing legislation to curb access to social media for young teenagers. Minzatu said the initiatives were not contradictory, arguing that AI could support tutoring and personalised learning in ways separate from the addictive algorithms of platforms.