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FOREWORD

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world as we have known it for the past years. It is affecting every aspect of our society from the very common use of the mobile device to more complex situations at our workplaces. It also contributes to our collective wellbeing even though we many not see it in practice.

To ensure that Malta is at the forefront of technological innovation, the Government of Malta launched the Malta.AI taskforce with the scope of creating an AI strategy for Malta, with a vision to instil an appreciation of how new technologies can be used to improve people’s quality of life.

Much information about AI is abundantly available, as industries and providers target adults to promote and exhibit the advantages of AI. However, very little information is available for children and youths. This is one of the reasons why academics at the Department of AI within the Faculty of ICT (University of Malta) felt the need to embark on this book project to help promote AI concepts with children and young people. The task at hand included bringing across topics in AI that can be quite complex in a way that engages children. This was done using game-based learning (GBL) concepts, using the element of fun to motivate and engage young learners with the content. The result was this book: AI in Education which is fun to use, full of practical games and which can be easily adapted to any classroom.

The Ministry of Education has financed the publication of this book to ensure that teachers and students have access to this essential resource that can be used across multiple subjects and areas. Our vision is that children are our future leaders and as such we believe that they are entitled to the best formation possible. We do not just want them to successfully thrive in today’s world. We want to give them the right tools so that they can shape tomorrow’s world and ultimately the future for all of us.

Through this project and many others, the Ministry of Education is gearing up to shift from theory and principles to action. We are determined that through this first small step we help our children start understanding the promise of AI to harness it, and share its benefits. Through our vision, we want to ensure that no one is left behind, now and for generations to come.

Minister for Education: Evarist Bartolo, 2019 Malta