Every morning, millions of students pick up their phones before they even get out of bed. An algorithm has already decided what they see first. By the time they reach school, they have interacted with artificial intelligence dozens of times without really being taught what it is and how it works. AI is already woven into the fabric of modern life, and yet most school curricula are not reflecting that reality. AIUnderstood is a two-year international project that aims at bridging this gap.

To do so, the project brings AI literacy into existing disciplines like STEM and Citizenship, equipping students and teachers with the tools to engage with technology critically, creatively, and with confidence. It also offers an innovative approach to AI, using hands-on methodology to make abstract concepts accessible.

A European Collaboration

AIUnderstood is a collaborative Erasmus+ project that started in December 2025. It brings together five partners from across Europe, each of them contributing with their own expertise. Fermat Science, from France, brings its experience with making mathematical modelling of AI concepts, as well as making STEM subjects accessible and engaging for young audiences. ELAN, from Belgium, contributes its deep knowledge of inclusion and digital literacy, ensuring the project is adapted to all types of learners. Alongside them, three schools complete the consortium: the Istituto Europeo Studi Superiori from Italy, the 5th High School of Agrinio from Greece, and Ukmerges Uzupio pagrindine mokykla from Lithuania. Rooted in diverse school systems, they ensure that everything created responds to the actual needs of students and teachers, and is adaptable enough to travel across borders, languages, and educational contexts.

Who is AIUnderstood for?

Secondary students aged 15 to 18 are at the core of the project, with particular attention given to girls and students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs). Inclusivity is a founding principle of the project. The digital future must be built for everyone, and that starts with making sure everyone gets the opportunity to understand what AI is an how it works.

Moreover, the project reaches well beyond the students. It also empowers teachers, and more especially teachers in STEM and Citizenship, providing them with the tools and confidence to navigate AI topics in the classroom.

At a broader level, the project speaks directly to stakeholders and policymakers, carrying the ambition to influence how AI is integrated into national and European educational frameworks for the years to come.

How to make AI understandable for students?

The project starts with the creation of a series of 18 videos, each of which will tackle a specific concept or approach to AI. Short, visual, and accessible, they are designed to open the “AI black box”, helping young people grasp fundamental concepts such as deep learning, neural networks, and datasets, while also exploring the direct applications of AI in everyday life. Beyond the “mechanics”, the videos raise bigger questions, inviting students to reflect on what AI means for society, what its limits are and how to envision the future of AI.

Another core element of the project is the creation of analog and digital boxes. Built on a simple observation that students learn best when they can touch, test, and experience, these hands-on kits turn AI into something tangible. Abstract by nature, AI does not have to remain this way. The boxes are designed to give students the opportunity to explore, manipulate, and truly make sense of concepts that too often stay locked behind a screen.

Equipping Education Stakeholders

Moreover, supporting teachers is just as important as providing tools for the students. Therefore, AIUnderstood will develop a full set of resources designed to make the integration of AI into existing subjects as easy as possible.

A dedicated booklet titled ‘Why and How to Teach AI in School’ will set out the reflection and methodology behind the project, giving any educator, regardless of prior experience with AI, a solid foundation to build on.

From there, several resources for teachers will be created:

• Practical Sheets paired with each video from the video series
• Ready-to-use lesson plans that integrate naturally into existing STEM and Citizenship curricula
• A Pedagogical Implementation Guide to support educators at every stage of bringing these tools into their daily practice.

Because giving teachers the right tools is the first step towards meaningful change in the classroom.

At a broader level, a strategic white paper will give policymakers the evidence and methodology they need to scale these efforts and shape how AI is integrated into national and European educational frameworks for the years to come.

Finally, let’s keep in mind that AI evolves very quickly. Therefore, AIUnderstood places emphasis on building an adaptable, forward-looking approach, because what matters most is not just teaching AI as it is today, but also preparing students and teachers for what it will become.

Curious to know more? Follow the project and stay informed. We will be sharing regular updates, insights, and resources along the way!