SwissCore co-organised another successful edition of the EduCafé, focusing on critical thinking education in the AI era, and showcasing the Swiss approach.
In collaboration with the Czech Liaison Office (CZELO) and the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA), SwissCore organised the latest edition of the EduCafé at Kamilou Café. This event featured a panel discussion on the important topic of “Teaching critical thinking in the age of AI”. The session brought together two distinguished speakers: Simona Petkova, Policy Officer in the ‘Digital Education’ Unit of the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) of the European Commission (EC), who coordinates the policy response to the use of Artificial Intelligence in education; and Edouard Lamboray, Chief Digital Officer at Educa, the Swiss specialised agency for the digitalisation of education.
The discussion primarily centred on the evolving role of AI in education, including the European Union’s approach to integrating AI into educational frameworks. The panel explored both the opportunities and challenges posed by AI in the learning environment, as well as the initiatives outlined in the Digital Education Plan. The topic of AI literacy was also featured, with discussions on how best to equip both students and educators with the skills to critically evaluate AI-generated content.
A significant part of the conversation was dedicated to the Swiss approach to AI governance in education. Switzerland’s regulatory framework for AI in schools was discussed, the authorities’ approach to AI applications, and how the country’s model could serve as a valuable reference for EU policymakers, with a system characterised by a collaborative policy effort between policymakers, educators, and technology experts. The Swiss authorities’ commitment to ensuring a balanced, ethical, and sustainable use of AI in educational settings is an example of how countries can navigate challenges of digitalisation while keeping high standards of quality in education.
SwissCore would like to extend its gratitude to both speakers for sharing their expertise and to all the participants for their engagement and valuable contributions during this session. Additionally, SwissCore would like to thank the co-organisers, the Czech Liaison Office (CZELO) and the Academic Cooperation Association (ACA) for their collaborative efforts in organising the event.