The University of Crete participates in the new European project GENIAL, which aims to support early childhood educators in responsibly and effectively integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their teaching practice.

The project develops:

• educational activities and learning resources enhanced with AI,
• a pedagogical framework for the ethical and critical use of AI,
• multilingual open educational resources (OERs),
• practical tools and applications that promote creativity and children’s holistic development.

GENIAL places particular emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, and the protection of human agency, following international guidelines for responsible AI in education.

Project Objectives

• Prepare educators for the digital transformation and the emerging demands of AI in education.
• Strengthen critical thinking and ethical awareness regarding AI use.
• Design and evaluate innovative tools and applications for early childhood learning.
• Ensure equitable access to high-quality digital resources for all children.

Project Duration

September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2027

Funding

The project is funded by Erasmus+ (KA2 – Higher Education) with a total budget of €250,000.

Consortium Partners

The project is implemented by a consortium of universities with expertise in educational innovation, early childhood education, and artificial intelligence:

• UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø
• Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway
• University of Helsinki, Finland
• University of Primorska, Slovenia
• University of Crete, Department of Preschool Education

Principal Investigator (University of Crete)

Dr. Stamatis Papadakis

Assistant Professor, Department of Preschool Education

📧 stpapadakis@uoc.gr

🔗Project Website: https://blogs.helsinki.fi/genial-project/about/

PRESS RELEASE

https://blogs.helsinki.fi/genial-project/about