(ANS – Florence) – The Salesians participated in Didacta Italia 2026—the country’s premier national event on education, training, and innovation in schooling—held from March 11–13 in Florence. At their stand, they showcased the educational initiatives of Salesian Schools and Vocational Training, including the national Artificial Intelligence (AI) project, demonstrating how algorithms can serve as tools to support pedagogy.
The connection between the charism of a 19th-century saint and modern AI is not merely rhetorical. “Don Bosco always wanted to be at the forefront of progress,” speakers emphasized during the event. Today, that vision is embodied in the Go Beyond project, a network of about 80 schools and 1,600 teachers across Italy, coordinated nationally to harness the digital revolution rather than be overwhelmed by it.
Fr. Elio Cesari, President of the National Centre for Salesian Works (CNOS), framed the discussion:
“The latest Censis report describes a ruthless age of predators and prey. AI is not just a technological issue—it is a transformative upheaval that challenges our destiny. Schools must understand its full potential, engaging with it intelligently and consciously.”
He added:
“The Salesian personalist tradition views technology as an enhancement of the human, not a replacement. The centrality of the person and the encounter between teacher and student remains the ultimate measure of innovation. AI functions as a ‘pedagogical assistant’ under adult guidance, freeing teachers from repetitive tasks and giving them precious time to listen, accompany, and mentor students.”
Strategic Collaboration: Google and MR Digital
The project benefits from partnerships with Google Education Italia and MR Digital. Marco Berardinelli (Google) highlighted the goal of personalizing learning for each student, moving beyond “copy and paste” approaches and promoting inclusion for students with special educational needs. Andrea Russo (MR Digital) noted that Google is monitoring Go Beyond as a priority global case study due to its ethical and research-driven approach, conducted in collaboration with the Salesian University (UPS).
Field Experiences: When AI Becomes a Tutor
Two teachers presented practical examples at Didacta showing how AI transforms classroom learning. Professor Carlo Spironello from the Salesian Centre in Mestre demonstrated how AI can simulate a historical trial of Louis XVI. By generating occasional incorrect accusations and defenses, students are encouraged to verify sources, turning machine errors into lessons in critical thinking. Professor Francesco Fraccaro, also from Mestre, presented the “augmented laboratory.” Using Google AI Studio, students photograph real plants and instantly receive technical data sheets:
“AI frees students from being passive spectators and turns them into active explorers.”
Institutional and Research Perspectives: INDIRE and the Salesian University
The event concluded with key contributions emphasizing the project’s scientific validation. Samuele Borri, representing the National Institute of Documentation, Innovation and Educational Research (INDIRE), highlighted the global educational relevance of AI and the need for ongoing guidance to help young people become aware digital citizens, extending beyond the classroom into daily technology use.
Fr. Michal Vojtas, SDB, from the Salesian University, explained the scientific rigor behind the initiative. The university is conducting detailed research on the impact of AI on education and learning processes, aiming to monitor results and adjust in real time, ensuring that technology empowers humans rather than becoming an end in itself.
The event closed with a warning that became the guiding motto of this edition of Didacta:
“Artificial Intelligence will not replace humans, but those who use it will replace those who do not.”
Source: Don Bosco Italia