The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity and Sports of the Government of the Canary Islands has stated that it does not foresee creating a subject exclusively dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI) or modifying the current educational framework. The strategy focuses on educating about AI use through subjects already part of the curriculum, such as Technology or Digitalization, rather than introducing a standalone subject despite the rapid advancement of this technology.
The increasing prevalence of AI in internet usage, from search engines to chat systems like ChatGPT, and the proliferation of artificially generated content on social media, prompted the deputy from the Gomera Socialist Group (ASG), Melodie Mendoza Rodríguez, to inquire with the Ministry about the Canary Executive's plans to train young people in the use of this tool.
In its parliamentary response, the Government of the Canary Islands indicates that the educational curricula already include AI-related content in various subjects, thereby reinforcing the commitment to developing students' digital competence. Specifically, in Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO), AI concepts are addressed in subjects like Digitalization (4th-year elective), Technology (4th-year Option B), and Technology and Digitalization (1st, 2nd, and 3rd-year elective). In Baccalaureate, these topics are covered in Technology and Engineering I and II, and in the second-year elective Informatics and Digitalization.
Beyond the curriculum structure, the Ministry has launched the Code School 4.0 program, funded by the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports. This program aims to extend digital competencies, including computational thinking, programming, and artificial intelligence, from Early Childhood Education to ESO. As part of this initiative, Canary Islands will incorporate 50 mentorships to assist teachers in integrating these technologies into classrooms, viewing them as a strategic resource for the digital transformation of educational centers.
Additionally, the Ministry's Educational Technology Area (ATE) has developed a specific guide on artificial intelligence in education and is implementing training actions for teachers on AI applications that ensure the privacy and data protection of students. The Canary Government's approach is to use AI as a safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsible educational tool, acknowledging both its opportunities and risks.
While ruling out a specific subject for now, the Ministry of Education is evaluating the general implementation of artificial intelligence tools in educational centers to enhance the learning experience and teaching effectiveness. The parliamentary response leaves the door open for a greater presence of AI, but without creating a dedicated new subject, maintaining the current educational order.
