• The Information and Communication Technology Research Center of UDC works on projects, curriculum development, and content creation, as well as the development of AI tools for use in the educational field, ranging from Primary to University education.
• CITIC researcher Francisco Bellas will speak on June 4 about “Education in the era of Artificial Intelligence: let’s go slowly”
• The conference will be held within the second edition of the Scientific Culture Cycle, which begins tomorrow, April 4, promoted by the Xunta de Galicia to address the impact of technology in classrooms.

A Coruña, April 3, 2024.- CITIC researcher Francisco Bellas has been working for over five years on the development of curricula and tools for education in Artificial Intelligence (AI), a field in which the use of technologies is currently the subject of extensive debate. The scientist believes that AI training should be included in the Digital Education Plan, starting in Primary Education and covering all subsequent stages, as it will be fundamental for future generations. He also believes that training in the basics of AI should first be aimed at teachers, “who must understand what it is, its advantages and risks, because they (the teachers) are the first to need this knowledge to educate students. However, they need a structured plan, resources, and support to carry it out,” Bellas points out.

In fact, CITIC, through its researchers Francisco Bellas and Sara Guerreiro, is working on various AI projects in the educational field, ranging from Primary to University education, including Vocational Training. Two of them are part of the EU Erasmus+ program, which allowed UDC to create AI training units that were then applied in schools in several European countries. Additionally, the researchers are part of a working group of the Consellería de Educación for the design of AI content and subjects for the official curriculum.

In this regard, AI literacy for youth is one of the key strategies for CITIC of UDC, which has various lines of research aimed at promoting the dissemination, integration, and comfortable use of new technological tools, including the educational robot Robobo, developed to address the shortage of instruments in this field. Because, as Francisco Bellas points out, “the impact of AI requires time. First, an ethical analysis must be conducted to see how these tools are incorporated into education, but always gradually. AI tools should assist in the process, meaning the student should learn with AI, not that AI learns for them.” Precisely, this point will be emphasized in the conference that CITIC researcher will give within the II Scientific Culture Cycle promoted by the Xunta de Galicia, with the aim of analyzing various aspects related to the use of technologies in classrooms and their relationship with student learning, which begins this Thursday, April 4, in Santiago de Compostela.

Technology with common sense

As part of this series of outreach conferences titled “Technology with common sense,” CITIC researcher Francisco Bellas will speak about “Education in the era of Artificial Intelligence: let’s go slowly” on June 4, in a conference that can be followed both in person, at the Neira Villas auditorium of the Biblioteca de Galicia, and via streaming through the YouTube channel of the Consellería de Educación, Formación Profesional y Universidades.

Francisco Bellas recalls that the impact of AI in education is “particularly relevant, as it will change the way of teaching with technology,” without losing sight of the fact that “the teacher must always be at the center.” He also highlights that with AI tools, it will be “like with the calculator in its day, which will end up being a support in the learning process.” In this regard, he believes that generative artificial intelligences like ChatGPT should be integrated into the educational system as their prohibition will not be possible, but for this, it will be necessary to change part of the current methodologies. “Times of change are coming, but they can generate many opportunities. I am convinced that if the necessary means are provided, teachers will embrace AI,” concludes the CITIC researcher, who emphasizes the commitment of the Information and Communication Technology Research Center of UDC to the integration of Artificial Intelligence at all educational levels.