New EU Kids Online Report Reinforces the Importance of AI Literacy in Schools

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future topic for schools — it is already part of children’s and young people’s daily lives. A new EU Kids Online Portugal report, Crianças e jovens (9–17 anos) e Inteligência Artificial Generativa em Portugal. Resultados nacionais dos estudos EU Kids Online, 2025, highlights how rapidly Generative AI tools are becoming integrated into education, creativity, communication and online behaviour among younger generations (Ponte, Batista, & Luna, 2026).

According to the report, a significant number of Portuguese children and young people aged 9–17 already use Generative AI tools in their everyday activities, including school-related tasks, online searches, content creation and entertainment. These findings demonstrate how AI technologies are becoming increasingly embedded in the routines of younger generations and reinforce the growing relevance of AI literacy in school education.

At the same time, the study also raises important concerns regarding critical thinking, misinformation, ethical use of AI and the need for guidance from educators and families. The report highlights that young people do not simply need access to AI tools — they also need support to understand how these technologies work, how to use them responsibly and how to critically assess the information they generate.

These findings strongly connect with the mission of the M{AI}L – Machine and Artificial Intelligence Learning for Education project.

The M{AI}L project was created to support schools, teachers and students in navigating this evolving educational landscape. Through the development of the “Teachable Machine Unleashed” Handbook, practical classroom activities and teacher training sessions, the project aims to make Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning more understandable, accessible and pedagogically relevant for younger learners.

Rather than approaching AI as a purely technical topic, M{AI}L focuses on helping teachers integrate these concepts into real classroom practice, particularly within Science and Language subjects. The project also encourages students to actively participate in the learning process by creating their own exercises using AI-based tools, promoting creativity, curiosity and digital confidence.

The EU Kids Online findings reinforce the urgency of this work. As Generative AI becomes increasingly present in children’s digital experiences, schools play a central role in ensuring that students develop not only technical familiarity, but also ethical awareness, critical understanding and responsible digital habits.

By supporting educators with practical resources and introducing students to AI in a structured and age-appropriate way, M{AI}L contributes to building a safer, more informed and more inclusive digital future for education.

Reference

Ponte, C., Batista, S., & Luna, E. (2026). Crianças e jovens (9–17 anos) e Inteligência Artificial Generativa em Portugal. Resultados nacionais dos estudos EU Kids Online, 2025. EU Kids Online Portugal.

The full report is available here: Read the report