Legal expert Maria Bertel and her team at the University of Graz have created a guide to clarify how artificial intelligence can be used in schools. The guide addresses legal questions arising from practical use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini, covering areas such as research, homework, and performance assessment.The project, part of the EU-funded EducationalAI initiative, examines EU regulations including the AI Act, GDPR, and children’s rights. It highlights which AI applications are high-risk, emphasizes data protection obligations, and clarifies responsibilities for teachers when assigning AI-based tasks. Bertel’s team collaborated with ethicists, educators, and didacticians to ensure practical applicability.A version focusing on Austrian law is expected by early summer 2026. Bertel recommends schools work with students, parents, and management to develop their own AI guidelines, ensuring children understand they are interacting with AI systems. She supports teaching digital skills across subjects and welcomes Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr’s initiative to introduce AI as a subject in schools.
Source: University of Graz
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