Four schools in London and the South of England are taking part in a groundbreaking global AI initiative; a pioneering AI programme that represents a world-first in educational innovation.
The schools are giving a warm welcome this week to their new AI companion, Flowerpot, the central character of a global AI challenge that launched in November with international schools group Globeducate.
ICS London, Stonar School near Bath, Boundary Oak School in Hampshire, and L´Ecole de Battersea are taking part in a groundbreaking global AI initiative; a pioneering AI programme that represents a world-first in educational innovation. These schools are four of more than 40 to be participating, across nine countries.
In the UK, France, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Morocco, the Netherlands and Andorra, students in primary schools have begun research and collaborative groundwork and will benefit from this transformative initiative which places artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability at the heart of student learning. Secondary aged students will join the challenge in Phase two, this month.
Flowerpot is a colourful, multilingual AI companion designed to make technology friendly and approachable for all learners. It can express simulated emotions through its LED face and communicates fluently in seven languages, as well as adapting its responses according the to the users´ age group. The project will involve students across both primary and secondary phases and will involve research, writing, coding, programming, designing across a series of missions. The project will culminate in the design and build of a sustainable eco-system around their Flowerpot, using recycled and natural materials.
Project Lead, Globeducate Head of Educational Innovation, Anastasiou Elpifodoros, is excited by the potential of this challenge to prepare the next generation to become innovative problem-solvers and responsible global citizens. He said:
“The scale of global participation we have this year is a first – never before has an international schools group invested in AI-powered robotics at this scale, with sustainability as the central narrative. Working in teams, students will demonstrate the principles of green architecture, resource conservation and circular economy thinking.”
Richard Human, Head of Artificial Intelligence for Globeducate, said:
“What excites me most about this project is how it demystifies artificial intelligence for young learners, while simultaneously addressing one of humanity´s greatest challenges – environmental sustainability. The challenge with AI in education isn´t technological, its human. This project brilliantly addresses that challenge by creating meaningful, emotionally engaging interactions that inspire students to see AI as a collaborative tool for solving real-world problems.”
The project has evolved from two trial AI projects, one of which, AInstein Chatbots, was featured by BBC News and is part of a global AI learning programme across all Globeducate schools, a group that is grounded in its mission to prepare each student to be a global citizen who can shape the world.
