Long before modern classrooms existed, Athens was the world’s premier center of learning. As the city of Socrates and Plato, it remains a timeless symbol of how education transforms society. It was, therefore, the perfect setting for the AI4VET4AI consortium to gather on January 15 for its first meeting of the year.
Setting the Stage for Innovation
Hosted by AKMI – Anonymi Ekpaideftiki Etairia (AKMI), the meeting opened with a warm welcome from Georgia Lagkadinou, followed by an introduction and a clear overview of the agenda by Elena Pavić on behalf of the project coordinator, Algebra Bernays University (ABU). The atmosphere was one of focused collaboration, bridging the gap between Europe’s educational heritage and the future of AI-driven vocational training.
Designing the VET Campuses of 2026
The core of the day focused on the upcoming VET Campus pilots, set to launch in 2026.
- Visualizing the Future: Moderated by Georgia Lagkadinou, VET providers presented posters detailing their national pilot plans, sparking dynamic exchanges on pedagogical approaches and learner engagement.
- Putting Learners First: A workshop led by Silvia Cosimato from the University of Naples Federico II (UNINA) used “persona development” to ensure these campuses are inclusive and accessible, tailoring the experience to the real-world needs of diverse VET learners.
New Tools for the Modern Educator
The afternoon focused on hands-on innovation. Dorotea Strelec, from the ABU’s coordination team, introduced the Fishbowl method, using it to facilitate a structured debate on the challenges and opportunities of using AI in teaching, learning, and assessment. Partners found the method highly effective for navigating these complex topics and agreed that it represents a valuable pedagogical tool that can be used generally in their teaching activities to spark lively, self-regulated discussions.
Strategic Insights and Long-Term Vision
To wrap up the day, Alenka Pandiloska Jurak from the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto (FIŠ) led an engaging session focused on the project’s future. Using the interactive digital tool Mentimeter, she gathered real-time insights from all partners regarding their organizational strategies and long-term engagement. This collaborative input is a critical piece of the puzzle; it provides the data necessary to build a robust sustainability plan, ensuring that the project’s impact continues long after the initial pilots. This work is especially vital as the consortium moves toward the final transformation of learning materials into fully functional, accessible MOOCs.
The day concluded with a group photo—a snapshot of a partnership ready to bring AI4VET4AI’s innovations to life. Through active participation and collaborative preparation, the partners took a significant step forward in modernizing vocational education and preparing high-quality, AI-powered solutions for learners across Europe.
