Croatia is stepping confidently into the future by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its primary and secondary education system. With new curricula, pilot programs, and teacher training initiatives, students and educators alike are getting hands-on experience with the technology shaping tomorrow’s world.
What’s Changing in Croatian Classrooms?
From generating quiz questions to assisting students with writing or math, AI is increasingly becoming a helpful companion in the classroom. In under-resourced or rural schools, AI tools offer support where one-on-one help or access to materials may be limited, helping bridge the educational divide.
For teachers, particularly in STEM and ICT subjects, AI is streamlining lesson preparation, reducing administrative work, and freeing up more time for creativity and meaningful interaction with students. Think of it as a teaching assistant, not a replacement.
A Curriculum for the AI Era
Croatia is among the first countries in the world to introduce a national AI curriculum for schools.
- In primary schools, AI is offered as an extracurricular activity.
- In secondary schools, it’s introduced as an elective course.
The curriculum focuses on critical thinking, responsible tech use, and practical engagement with emerging digital tools. Launched in the 2024/2025 school year, the pilot phase already involved over 240 teachers across the country.
From Theory to Practice: Real AI Use Cases in Schools
At a recent national education conference, educators shared examples of how AI is already enriching learning:
- Students are designing virtual assistants, training machine learning models, and analyzing real-world data.
- In language arts, some are using AI to draft creative theatre scripts and explore identity in the digital age.
- In science, AI supports projects on renewable energy.
- For inclusive education, AI tools provide personalized content and assistive technologies for students with learning difficulties.
- Others are using AI to teach algorithmic thinking through games or link technology to environmental activism.
Challenges to Navigate
Despite progress, several obstacles remain:
- Unequal access to IT infrastructure
- Limited time and resources for teacher training
- Ongoing concerns about student data privacy
There’s also a growing digital skills gap between students and some educators, underscoring the need for continuous professional development.
A European Example in the Making
By embedding AI into its curriculum early, Croatia is setting an example for how to responsibly introduce students to emerging technologies. The initiative has already been recognized internationally as a model of good practice. Importantly, the approach emphasizes ethics, human connection, and inclusion—reminding us that while technology is powerful, it must be guided by human values.
