Name in original language
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Initiative overview
Slovakia is taking steps to better prepare its students for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in everyday life and the job market. The current education system has not yet fully adapted to the rapid changes brought about by digital technologies, including AI. Many young people lack the skills needed to understand or work with these tools. To address this, Slovakia is focusing on making changes in how digital and technical topics are taught in primary schools, secondary schools, and vocational training programmes. This effort is part of a broader plan to ensure students have the foundational knowledge needed to navigate a society shaped by digital technologies.
The main goal of this initiative is to improve digital and technical education, with a special focus on AI. Rather than introducing AI as a completely separate subject, the plan is to include it within broader areas like computer literacy, digital citizenship, and media literacy. This way, students will learn not only how AI works in a basic sense, but also how it affects the way we live, communicate, and make decisions. The reforms also aim to help students understand both the opportunities and the risks that come with using digital tools and AI systems.
To make this happen, Slovakia is updating its national curriculum and revising textbooks to reflect modern technological developments. These changes will apply to different levels of the school system, including primary education (for younger children), secondary education (typically ages 12–18), and vocational schools that prepare students for specific careers. Teachers will be supported through training and new teaching materials, ensuring they can confidently deliver this updated content. The government is working together with education experts, curriculum developers, and possibly EU partners to align these reforms with European standards for digital and AI education.
Looking ahead, the changes are expected to be rolled out gradually over the coming years. The long-term aim is to create a more modern education system that prepares young people not just to use technology, but to think critically about it and contribute to its development. As the reform progresses, there may also be efforts to share resources and teaching models with other countries, or to expand the programme into lifelong learning initiatives for adults. This approach reflects a recognition that AI is not just a technical topic for specialists, but a societal issue that everyone needs to understand to some degree.
