GreenFutures initiative to bring AI and climate education to secondary schools

The Research Ireland ADAPT Centre, in collaboration with UNESCO and Huawei Ireland, has introduced the GreenFutures initiative, an educational programme targeting secondary school students in transition year. The program aims to equip young people with knowledge and skills related to artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change, preparing them for a more sustainable future.

This is the first time AI and climate literacy are combined in a focused educational programme. The four-lesson initiative utilizes classroom resources, real-world case studies, and interactive activities to explore climate change through data, AI, ethics, climate solutions, sustainable systems, and climate justice. The ultimate goal is to foster critical thinking, evidence evaluation, and responsible technology development and use among students.

As one of five pilot initiatives under the Digital Futures for a Smart Europe project, GreenFutures is evaluated for its potential to influence digital and green innovation ecosystems in five European countries. Huawei Ireland CEO, Calvin Lan, emphasized technology's role in sustainable development and the importance of understanding its potential and responsibilities.

ADAPT Centre Director, professor John Kelleher, highlighted the necessity of integrating AI and climate change discussions, as these forces will shape the lives and careers of the young people today. The initiative reflects the growing recognition that digital skills and climate literacy must be addressed together, providing students with the tools to engage with new technologies, understand their impact, and contribute to a more sustainable future.