Artificial Intelligence for Well-being in Education (AI4WellEdu)

General Overview

AI4WellEdu addresses the urgent need for responsible and mindful AI adoption in higher education by prioritising human development and well-being. The project delivers a structured training pathway integrating AI literacy, ethical reflection, and the development of inner skills. Through workshops and academic guidelines, it empowers students and staff to use AI effectively while fostering a regenerative learning environment. With the support of neuroscientists, the project also explores AI’s impact on brain development in educational contexts.

Purpose and Significance

AI4WellEdu responds to the disruptive impact of AI in higher education, moving beyond technical adoption to consider its implications for cognitive autonomy, relational learning, and well-being. While regulations such as the EU AI Act are essential, they are not sufficient on their own. A significant gap remains in developing the inner skills needed to design, teach, and use AI responsibly. The project addresses this gap by combining technical literacy with ethical awareness and personal development, mitigating risks linked to uncritical AI use while promoting mindful and conscious engagement.

A digital illustration featuring a futuristic human head with glowing elements, surrounded by key themes such as inner skills, artificial intelligence, well-being, education, human development, and ethics. The image also includes an open book and a smartphone displaying a wellness app, set against a backdrop of a cityscape and a tree with glowing lights.

Implementation Method and Timeline

Through a multidisciplinary group of experts and focus groups, AI4WellEdu gathers feedback, identifies emerging topics, and evaluates the effectiveness of its methodology. The project adopts the Well-being Working Methodology, already tested in other EUniWell initiatives, applying a transdisciplinary approach aligned with the Inner Development Framework. Rooted in mindfulness practices, this approach fosters an open, reflective, and effective working atmosphere that supports innovation and regeneration.

The project combines technical expertise, ethical reflection, and experiential learning to empower participants to adopt AI in ways that enhance well-being. Mindfulness-based activities within the courses strengthen inner skills and provide opportunities for collective pause and reflection.

AI4WellEdu unfolds in four main phases:

Phase 1. Deepening AI for Well-being in Education - research, consultation, and development of training proposals based on focus groups and interviews.

Phase 2. Workshops – delivery of three series of four workshops and drafting materials covering Human and Planetary Well-being, AI ethics, AI in education, generative AI, inner skills, and university AI guidelines.

Phase 3. Analysis – evaluation and synthesis of results and outcomes.

Phase 4. Seminar, Publication, and Developments – organisation of a concluding seminar, drafting of a publication, and exploration of future funding opportunities.

Expected Outcomes

AI4WellEdu enhances AI literacy while promoting mindful and responsible technology use. Beyond technical skills, it strengthens participants’ inner capacities for deep reflection, openness, and inclusive collaboration. Through experiential and mindfulness-based practices, the project contributes to improved well-being and supports innovative, human-centred approaches to AI in education.

Contact person:

Silvio De Magistris, University of Florence