The European Commission and the OECD have recently launched the AI Literacy Framework (AILit), a shared reference for teaching AI in primary and secondary education. The framework describes what young learners should know and be able to do across four key areas: engaging with AI, creating with AI, managing AI, and shaping AI.

For the ETHICAI project, this is an important milestone. While AILit provides a strong foundation for school education, the need for AI literacy does not end when students enter university. Higher education brings new opportunities and challenges, as students, educators and institutions increasingly use generative AI in teaching, learning and assessment.

ETHICAI builds on this foundation by developing a comprehensive competence framework, self-assessment tools, a digital toolkit, and micro-credentials that help higher education institutions adopt Generative AI in ways that are ethical, inclusive and pedagogically meaningful. In this way, ETHICAI contributes to a continuous European approach to AI literacy—from school to university and lifelong learning

Read more about AILit here.

The EU AI Act is progressively becoming applicable across Europe. The Act entered into force on 1 August 2024, with AI literacy obligations and prohibited AI practices applying since February 2025. The next major milestone is 2 August 2026, when most of the Act’s provisions will start to apply, while certain high-risk AI rules will follow later.

For higher education institutions, this timeline reinforces the importance of responsible AI governance. As Generative AI becomes part of teaching, learning and assessment, universities are increasingly expected to address issues such as AI literacy, transparency, human oversight and ethical use.

This is where ETHICAI comes in. The project supports higher education institutions in translating these principles into everyday educational practice through its competence framework, Learning Labs, digital toolkit, CPD resources and AI literacy materials. Rather than focusing solely on compliance, ETHICAI aims to help universities integrate Generative AI in ways that are ethical, inclusive and pedagogically sound.

Read more about the EU AI Act here.

On 20 May 2026, ETHICAI was presented in Patras, Greece, during the 14th Regional Growth Conference, as part of the GenAISA workshop “From Artificial Intelligence to the Skills of the Future”.

The workshop brought together almost 100 participants, including academics, students, researchers and innovation stakeholders, to discuss the role of Generative AI in education, employment and social innovation.

During the event, ETHICAI introduced its aims, objectives and planned activities, highlighting its contribution to fostering ethical, trustworthy and responsible approaches to AI in education. The presentation complemented discussions on emerging AI-related skills, AI ethics and regulation, educational innovation, and the future of work in an AI-driven society.