EU proposes AI literacy certificate for 15‑year‑olds to aid schools

The European Commission plans to launch an AI literacy certificate for 15‑year‑old students to address the impact of rapidly developing technology on education and to support teachers and pupils in the next 2027-2028 school year. The initiative aims to help young pupils understand how AI works, verify the information it provides, detect manipulation and know when to switch it off.

Brussels presented the proposal amid concerns about declining basic skills in the EU, noting that about one in three 15‑year‑olds in the bloc are underachieving in literacy and mathematics according to recent PISA 2025 statistics. Although the European Union does not control national education policies, the Commission said it will back efforts to study safe implementation of AI in teaching and to improve AI literacy among both youth and teachers.

Alongside the certificate plan, Brussels is advancing legislation to restrict social media access for young teenagers. European Commission vice president Roxana Minzatu argued that the initiatives are complementary, stressing that AI can amplify educational processes such as tutoring and personalised learning, which are distinct from the addictive algorithms used by platforms.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The proposal signals a European effort to integrate AI understanding into formal education to bolster students’ ability to use technology critically and to support teachers in adapting instruction. Framed against disappointing PISA outcomes, the certificate is positioned as a tool to harness AI for personalised learning while distinguishing educational uses of AI from platform-driven harms.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• The European Commission plans an AI literacy certificate for 15‑year‑olds to launch in the 2027-2028 school year.
• The certificate seeks to teach pupils how AI works, how to check its outputs, how to spot manipulation and when to switch it off.
• PISA 2025 results showing around one in three 15‑year‑olds underachieving in literacy and mathematics underpin the initiative.
• The EU will back studies on safe AI implementation in schools despite not controlling member states’ education policies.
• Brussels is also pursuing legislation to curb young teenagers’ access to social media while arguing AI can support personalised learning.