Stine and Sonja were invited as Erasmus+ experts to Akureyri's vocational upper-secondary school to lead lessons and workshops about generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). Both students and teachers participated in a series of hands-on activities and discussions to encourage them to think critically whilst exploring the pedagogical potential of using GenAI in the classroom.
The initiative emphasizes the growing importance of developing AI literacy in vocational education. Teachers want to be able to prepare their students for a future in which many professions will require the knowledge and skills to interact with GenAI in meaningful, creative and constructive ways. This places a significant responsibility on educators to become proficient in AI themselves, enabling them to better guide and support their students.
The learning experience went both ways, as Sonja and Stine also gained invaluable insights into the AI in education discourse from an Icelandic perspective. At the same time, the Icelandic teachers and students are grappling with many of the same questions and issues as Norwegian students and teachers. AI integration into education has implications across national boundaries and through cross-cultural dialogues, we can collaboratively address AI literacy and responsible innovation in education.