Day of AI and MIT RAISE launch national AI literacy push for U.S. schools

“Responsible AI for America’s Youth” combines free curriculum, nationwide teacher training, and student competitions culminating in an MIT festival in July 2026.

Day of AI, a U.S. non-profit that provides AI literacy resources for K–12 students and educators, and MIT RAISE, an MIT initiative focused on responsible AI in education, have announced a new national campaign.

Responsible AI for America’s Youth will launch on October 7, 2025 and combine free classroom materials, large-scale teacher training, and student competitions. The program will conclude with a youth AI festival in Boston in July 2026, coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary.

National campaign to expand AI teaching

The initiative introduces AI lessons for schools and after-school programs, supported by guides and resources for educators. Jeffrey Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI and former Commissioner of Education for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, says: “AI is changing everything. Our kids need the skills to harness its power and understand its limits. This is about giving every student, no matter where they live or what they are passionate about, a voice in shaping how AI literacy is taught in their schools and how to use it responsibly. The AI revolution is this generation’s defining moment. The future belongs to our kids, and it’s on us as educators, parents, and business and community leaders to get it right.”

Day of AI will offer hundreds of free professional development workshops for U.S. educators during the 2025–26 school year. Sessions such as Demystifying AI and Bringing AI Literacy to Your Classroom will begin in October and run up to 20 times per week. The organization says more than two million students worldwide have already used its curriculum.

Student festival to conclude program in 2026

The campaign builds toward America’s Youth AI Festival in Boston, July 17–19, 2026. Two high school students from each state will take part in drafting a Student AI Bill of Rights at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. Other competitions will feature student work in arts and technology, including an “AI for A Better World” challenge judged by a panel led by Cynthia Breazeal, Director of MIT RAISE and Co-Founder of Day of AI.

Breazeal says: “This represents a new chapter in preparing students not only to use AI but to shape its future responsibly. By tying AI literacy to critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and civic responsibility, we are giving students the tools they need to lead in this uncharted territory. Just as importantly, we are equipping educators with the confidence and resources to guide them as they serve as pioneers of this field themselves. This is a cultural movement that unites rigorous research with the energy of future generations.”

The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026

The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.

Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.

Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.

Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.