The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has awarded its 2026 King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Education to two artificial intelligence-driven initiatives: Finland’s Generation AI programme and Brazil’s Redacoo Parana project, recognising their work in promoting creativity, critical thinking, and equitable access to quality learning.
Finland’s Generation AI provides a series of evidence-based tools, materials and classroom activities which support learners to move from being passive users of AI to becoming individuals and collectives who can critically and creatively shape AI systems. Foregrounding learner voice and agency, the programme uses inquiry and co-design-based pedagogies that emphasise learners as active makers, investigators and future shapers of AI systems. The Redacao Parana programme is both a digital platform and public education policy that leverages artificial intelligence to expand equitable access to high-quality writing instruction across the state of Parana, Brazil. The prize is awarded annually and recognises projects and initiatives that use technologies to enhance teaching, learning, and overall education performance in the digital age.
