Major investment in AI – JU part of new research school

Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of the classroom, but how can teacher training prepare for this? This is the starting point for the GRAITE research school, where nine Swedish universities, including Jönköping University (JU), are joining forces to explore the possibilities – while safeguarding the democratic foundations of education. The research school is receiving SEK 42 million from the Swedish Research Council.

Just as in society at large, there are differing opinions about artificial intelligence (AI) in the world of education. Supporters see opportunities to streamline administration, tailor teaching and provide better support to students. Critics, on the other hand, talk about technology dependency, increased screen time and new ways to cheat. The GRAITE research school focuses on how teacher educators can understand, use and critically assess AI technologies, while equipping future teachers to teach in a school and society increasingly characterized by AI-based technological solutions.

"It's about integrating the possibilities of AI into teacher training but also teaching students about its limitations and risks. Schools and education cannot stand outside the digital development of society. Involving teacher trainers, teachers, students, and other school staff in the research on and with AI is needed in order to adapt the technology and find methods that benefit learning and activities in schools and education, says Ylva Lindberg, Professor of Education, and responsible for JU:s participation in GRAITE.

Two new doctoral students at School of Education and Communication

The research school, whose full name is “GRAITE: Research School for Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Education,” is a five-year programe that will begin next year. Sixteen new doctoral students will be admitted, two of whom will be employed at School of Education and Communication during the spring semester. They will have a team of supervisors that include experts in AI technology from other schools at JU. The doctoral students will investigate questions such as: How is the role of teachers affected when artificial intelligence becomes an increasingly integrated part of teaching? How can teacher educators strengthen and further develop their digital skills to meet these changes?

Technology raises important questions about ethics and societal consequences. The task of research will therefore be to contribute to the use of AI in education that is both sustainable and fair.

A lot of AI research is already happening at JU

School of Education and Communication has been an early adopter nationally in exploring the possibilities of generative AI in the subjects of technology, social sciences and Swedish. Since 2023, the ongoing Futures Day project has been conducted with several partners to investigate upper secondary school students' co-writing with AI.

“We fulfil an important function by linking AI collaborations to social science and humanities research and teaching within GRADEResearch with leading researchers nationally and internationally. The doctoral positions also support interdisciplinary research at JU conducted in the JAINe research network,” says Ylva Lindberg.