“AI for KiDs” Outreach Lecture to Promote AI and Data Literacy in Schools
As part of the ongoing collaboration between the University of Trento and Zhuhai College of Science and Technology (ZCST) under the DataScientia Initiative, an “AI for KiDs” outreach lecture will be held on 8 September 2026 at Qunxian Primary School in Zhuhai, China.
The event will mark the first school outreach activity of the EAI for KiDs project, an initiative designed to introduce children to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and data literacy in an accessible and engaging way.
Bringing Artificial Intelligence to the Classroom
The lecture will be delivered by Prof. Fausto Giunchiglia, Coordinator of the DataScientia Initiative and Professor at the Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI), University of Trento. Prof. Giunchiglia is also Scientific Director of the International Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Society, established through the collaboration between the University of Trento and ZCST.
Designed for students in grades 4–6, the lecture will introduce artificial intelligence through three central questions:
- What is artificial intelligence? Exploring how machines can learn to see, hear, speak, and think.
- What data do we generate every day? Looking at familiar examples, from alarms and step counters to facial recognition and viewing histories.
- How can we protect our personal data? Introducing children to the importance of privacy and responsible data use.
The session will also feature an interactive “AI Little Detective” activity, using everyday scenarios such as whether a child should upload a photo to a face-swapping application. Through these examples, students will be encouraged to think critically about AI, personal data, and privacy.
The outreach activity reflects the broader educational vision of DataScientia, which aims to promote a deeper understanding of data and artificial intelligence and their impact on individuals and society. It also builds on the educational collaboration already established between the University of Trento and ZCST. Their joint Everyday AI (EAI) course was the first teaching initiative developed within the International Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Society, combining AI education with data literacy, ethics, and social impact.
With EAI for KiDs, this educational approach is being extended to younger learners, creating opportunities to introduce fundamental concepts of AI and responsible data use at an early stage.
Building the Next Generation of AI-Literate Citizens
The lecture will lay the groundwork for further EAI for KiDs school outreach activities and study-tour collaborations, strengthening the educational dimension of the University of Trento–ZCST partnership.
Through initiatives such as this, DataScientia and its partners continue to explore new ways of making AI education accessible, responsible, human-centred, and relevant to everyday life.
Event: 8 September 2026, 15:00–16:00
Venue: Lecture Hall, Qunxian Primary School, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai
Host: International Joint Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Society, Zhuhai College of Science and Technology
Find out more at:
https://jsj.zcst.edu.cn/2026/0901/c5791a193990/page.htm
