UNESCO Launches Free AI Course for Educators

Why this is here: The course incorporates testimonies from specialists across Latin America, aiming to avoid abstract models imported from Silicon Valley and instead focus on real problems in schools.

UNESCO’s regional office in Montevideo, Uruguay, recently launched a free online course for teachers and education professionals. The course, titled “Educating in Times of Artificial Intelligence,” aims to help educators understand how algorithms function and their social impacts. It addresses topics already present in students’ lives, including digital footprints and the spread of misinformation.

The course consists of five thematic modules, moving from basic technical explanations to ethical questions about automated learning. UNESCO intends to strengthen critical thinking and encourage informed digital citizenship among students. The program specifically focuses on Latin American contexts, using regional case studies and expert testimonies.

Participants who complete at least 80% of the course materials and assessments will receive an official UNESCO certificate. UNESCO notes the course does not fully address the challenges of unequal access to technology across the region, and further research is needed. The organization continues to develop resources for adapting to rapidly changing technologies.