Ticino introduces artificial intelligence in compulsory schools

The canton of Ticino presented its strategy on Wednesday for bringing artificial intelligence into compulsory schools. The goal is to train citizens who can understand and use this technology responsibly. The plan was presented by the Centro di risorse didattiche e digitali (CERDD) during the conference «Dialoghi sull'intelligenza artificiale».

The starting point is the already wide use of artificial intelligence among young people. The CERDD's director, Daniele Parenti, told the RSI programme Il Quotidiano that artificial intelligence is «utilizzatissima, già a partire dagli 11 anni e alle volte anche prima» (very widely used, already from age 11 and sometimes even earlier). For this reason, he added, schools «ha davvero un compito educativo» (really have an educational task).

The rollout will be gradual. In primary school, artificial intelligence will not be used. In lower secondary school, it will appear «sempre sotto la supervisione dei docenti» (always under teachers' supervision). The canton does not plan to add hours dedicated exclusively to the topic. Instead, it is relying on flexible modules, following a pilot already carried out in five classes. Parenti describes an introduction «in modo piuttosto dinamico e flessibile» (in a rather dynamic and flexible way) in lessons. He also speaks of a real «emergenza educativa» (educational emergency), an urgent matter «che deve toccare tutti quanti noi» (that must concern all of us).

A platform based on Apertus

Teacher training already began in 2024. That year, the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) set up a dedicated working group. In future, teachers will be able to rely on a new platform based on Apertus, the first large language model developed in Switzerland. The tool reproduces the functions of artificial intelligence, but it is designed so that the teacher guides the learning process. The platform was also designed with particular attention to protecting students' data.

The ultimate goal, according to Parenti, is for students to learn a «consapevole, critico» (conscious, critical) use of artificial intelligence, «mettendo in sicurezza anche i dati» (while also keeping data secure). The document will be refined by the end of November. It will then be published and officially introduced in Ticino's schools in January 2027.