WHAT IS AMBIZIONE ITALIA FOR SCHOOLS?
It is a national programme organised by Microsoft and the Fondazione Mondo Digitale to provide 250,000 students and 20,000 teachers with digital competences, with a special focus on artificial intelligence.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
The development of artificial intelligence will contribute to the growth of the Italian economy by creating 135,000 new jobs in ICT by 2020, increasing productivity by 12% and gross added value by 15% of the GDP by 2035. School plays a crucial role in this context and it is therefore necessary to ramp up the knowledge of teachers and students, providing them with both introductory and advanced courses, especially in areas with fewer resources.
THE EDUCATION CHALLENGE
There is no need for mathematical formulas or complex algorithms to learn about the applications of artificial intelligence e discover how it is revolutionising learning, living and working. The courses held by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale include classroom sessions custom-tailored to the age of participants and an on-line lab course in four modules.
COURSE FOR STUDENTS (CLASS GROUPS)
How does a car learn how to drive itself? How does Alexa understand our questions? How does Spotify learn our musical preferences and suggest the right playlists? How does Facebook recognise our friends in our photos? The Fondazione Mondo Digitale is organising courses in 37 hubs throughout Italy for first and second-degree secondary school students to test the potential and opportunities provided by new technology and explore new professional profiles. At the end of the four-hour lab, students will receive a certification and the open badge for their new competences.
COURSES
kids (10-13) 
youth (14-18) 
advanced (16-18)
ACTIVITY
Definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Traditional Programming vs. AI
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Examples of AI Use
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Development of AI
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Programming AI with Scratch
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How AI Works – What is Machine Learning?
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AI Doubts and Curiosities
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Custom Vision Exercises
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Artificial Intelligence in Videogames
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From Scripts to Finite State Automation
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Behaviour Tree and Pathfinding
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Unity 3D Exercises
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THE COURSE FOR TEACHERS
The Fondazione Mondo Digitale, an agency accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research to train school personnel, will hold courses with a new challenge: understanding how to teach artificial intelligence to solve the real problems of thousands of people. At the end of the four-hour course, teachers will receive a certification and the open badge for their new competences.
Course content:
- Definition of artificial intelligence
- Use of artificial intelligence in didactic activities
- Focus on tools
- Microsoft Education
- Practical applications of artificial intelligence
MANUALS FOR TUTORS AND COACHES
There are 37 educational hubs throughout Italy. In order to help educators, manuals and a variety of didactic materials are available for tutors and coaches.
THE ON-LINE COURSE: THE WORLD OF AI
The protagonist of the first on-line lab on artificial intelligence for Italian schools is its mascot, Arin. Through four free units (available at innovationgym.org/entra-nel-mondo-dellai), Arin reveals how an artificial intelligence learns and involves students and teachers in fun practical exercises. At the end of the four-hour course, participants will receive a certification and the open badge for their new competences.
- Module 1 | What is artificial intelligence?
Examples of AI applied to the world around us. AI is already widely used and a fundamental part of our lives. - Module 2 | How does artificial intelligence work?
Algorithms, programming languages and problem solving. Instructions on how to solve an issue and complete a task. - Module 3 | Automatic learning algorithms
In some cases, providing instructions is not enough. We need to train our artificial intelligence. Machine learning, supervised algorithms inspired by the human brain, and deep learning. - Module 4 | The importance of artificial intelligence in everyday life
Artificial intelligence is everywhere: in our houses, shops and hospitals. It currently does not possess cognition, but it emulates human cognition. Above all, it has no conscience … but what might happen in the future?
For further information
- Progetto Ambizione Italia for Schools
- Courses (pdf)
- Introductory video
- On-line course
- Blog
- Registration form
- Map of educational hubs
