Council of Europe endorses AI literacy that EduGPT has already been putting into practice for a year

The Council of Europe has adopted a new recommendation on AI literacy, addressed to all 46 member states. The aim is to better equip citizens, students, teachers, and employees to understand artificial intelligence, use it responsibly, and recognise the risks to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

The recommendation builds on 22 guiding principles within four themes: fundamental understanding of AI, human rights and human dignity, democracy and the rule of law, and societal agency and critical thinking. Luuk Terbeek, strategic advisor for digital transformation at the VU Centre for Teaching & Learning, was involved as a Dutch expert in its development.

Vrije Universiteit recognises its own direction in the recommendation. AI literacy should enable people to continue making independent judgements, without excessive reliance on AI systems. The university aims to educate responsible global citizens who approach societal issues from a foundation of knowledge and values—a sociotechnical approach closely aligned with that of the Council of Europe.

This approach has already been put into practice at EduGPT for over a year. Students and teachers work within an environment that explains why an answer is correct, where the model’s limitations lie, and when further questioning is necessary. Understanding how AI works and remaining critical of its output is precisely what the recommendation now encourages 46 countries to do.

There is also a practical aspect. EduGPT runs on European infrastructure, under European laws and regulations. Educational institutions wishing to work on AI literacy therefore do not have to make concessions on data protection or digital sovereignty.

The recommendation is not binding, but provides 46 countries with a shared compass. EduGPT demonstrates what this looks like in practice.

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