Democratising the use of AI
in education — ethically,
innovatively and based
on evidence
in education — ethically,
innovatively and based
on evidence
Context
Brazilian education faces a persistent challenge: ensuring not only access to schooling, but genuine learning for all. While nine in ten children in high-income countries achieve basic literacy by the age of ten, in Brazil only three in ten reach that threshold (World Bank, 2022). At the same time, Artificial Intelligence is already profoundly transforming how we learn, work and relate — and it tends to widen inequalities when it is not guided by clear educational goals.
In this context, the Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Education — IA.Edu was created as a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting applied research, public policy and technological innovation to reduce inequalities and expand learning through artificial intelligence. Born from the NEES/UFAL ecosystem, IA.Edu is today consolidated as an international think tank working to ensure that AI becomes a concrete instrument for improving learning and educational management — with solutions appropriate to Brazilian and Global South realities, especially in resource-constrained contexts.
Mission, vision and values
Our
Mission
To support the transformation of phygital schools: schools that integrate the physical, digital and social dimensions of learning in service of mastery learning for all. For IA.Edu, Artificial Intelligence has the potential to reduce inequalities and ensure that every student learns at a high level, with the time, feedback and support appropriate to their reality. This happens through applied research, policy advocacy, capacity-building and the development of innovative, ethical and evidence-based solutions — including the pioneering concept of AIED Unplugged for low-infrastructure, low-connectivity or low-capacity settings — cultivating innovation from and for the Global South.
Our
Vision
A Brazil in which AI amplifies learning with equity: where every student, regardless of where they live or study, is educated as a citizen-learner-change maker — capable of lifelong learning, critical participation in digital society, and transformative action in the world.
Our
Values
Student as citizen-learner-change maker
To educate critical, scientifically literate and creative individuals, capable of transforming their communities.
AI-augmented pedagogy
To use AI for the expansion and enrichment of human capacity.
Learning with, about and for AI
To understand AI as a technological, political and social phenomenon.
Infrastructure and resources adapted to diverse contexts
To develop solutions suited to both low- and high-resource settings, including AIED Unplugged.
Responsible regulation of AI for learning
To support ethical, fair and transparent regulation that fosters responsible technological innovation.
Systemic approach
To connect curriculum, teacher development, management and public policy for sustainable transformation.
Agile implementation
To implement iteratively, through continuous experimentation, learning and adjustment — strengthening local capacity along the way.
Our
Work
IA.Edu bridges applied research, public policy and technological innovation on Artificial Intelligence to expand learning opportunities across diverse educational contexts. How we work:
Policy advocacy
Solution development and prototyping
Knowledge production and dissemination
Capacity-building and training
Tailored support for policy and project implementation
Get in Touch
Connect with IA.Edu.
Collaborate with our research and innovation initiatives for equitable learning.