(ANS – Bologna) – On April 23–24, 2026, in Bologna at the Salesian Beata Vergine di San Luca Institute, a two-day intensive course will be held for around 50 tutors and digital facilitators from Salesian schools and vocational training centers. The event is entirely dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and digital growth, and is organized as part of the “GO Beyond Traditional Education” project.

The event features a full program of sessions designed to guide and support technological evolution in education:

– International perspective and new tools: Participants will have the opportunity to engage with the latest emerging trends alongside experts from Google Edu Italy and Google USA. There will be in-depth sessions on generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, with a focus on the latest developments in Gemini, Workspace Studio, and new applications for content creation.

– Practical classroom experimentation: The core of the event will consist of hands-on workshops on the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching, along with the sharing of experiences already tested by educators.

– Networking and project development: Significant time will be dedicated to strengthening the community of tutors and facilitators within the Salesian educational world, as well as presenting initial findings and feedback on the ongoing experimentation for the 2025–2026 academic year.

The event is part of the broader roadmap for the “GO Beyond Traditional Education” project, which aims to promote meaningful educational innovation through formation and experimentation. It actively involves a network of 1,500 teachers and formators and includes the participation of 80 Salesian institutions, including schools and vocational training centers.

The path toward innovation, which began experimentally during the 2024–2025 academic year, is supported by data presented at Fiera Didacta Italia in March 2026, during a conference where the publication “Artificial Intelligence in Salesian Schools and Vocational Formation” was unveiled. Published by the CNOS-FAP ETS Foundation, the report compiles the most significant experiences from 564 teaching activities across all school levels, along with 103 initiatives aimed at enhancing teachers’ professional productivity.

The “GO Beyond Traditional Education” project is inspired by the vision of Pope Francis, who stated, “Artificial Intelligence is and must remain a tool in the hands of humankind,” and echoes the words of the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr. Fabio Attard: “AI is not just a tool; it is part of our mission as Salesians living in the digital age.” The Salesian pedagogical tradition thus finds a new frontier for implementation in the era of Artificial Intelligence, enabling educators to live and teach in the present with a thoughtful eye toward the future.

The “GO Beyond” project addresses key areas in education, including support for curriculum design, the creation of teaching materials, and expanded access to information, assessment processes, and the personalization of learning with a strong focus on inclusion.

The data collected in the initial phase are highly encouraging. The expansion of the project, along with academic support from the Pontifical Salesian University and the Salesian University Institute of Venice (IUSVE), suggests that the results of the 2025–2026 pilot will confirm the true nature of the initiative: not merely the adoption of technology, but the creation of an ecosystem that promotes its competent and responsible use.

“… do not become passive users, but instead learn to use them to deepen their humanity and build their future with hope.

Fr. Elio Cesari, President of the National Centre of Salesian Works

As Fr. Elio Cesari, President of the National Centre of Salesian Works and coordinator of the Project Steering Committee, explains:

“The GO Beyond Traditional Education project represents a fundamental milestone in the journey of innovation within our educational mission. Internally, this work demonstrates the immense value of synergy among the various entities of Salesian Italy: a cohesive network of 80 schools and more than 1,500 teachers who share skills and vision to build a cutting-edge educational ecosystem. The strength of this initiative lies precisely in our ability to build community, transforming the pilot program into a shared resource for digital growth.

Externally, the project’s strength is ensured by world-class partnerships, beginning with the strategic collaboration with Google Edu (Italy and the USA), which allows us to engage directly with global technology leaders and access advanced tools such as Gemini and Workspace Studio. This is complemented by academic support from leading institutions such as the Pontifical Salesian University and IUSVE, which provide scientific validation for our work.

As Salesians, our interest in Artificial Intelligence is not driven by a technological trend, but is a genuine charismatic response to the challenges of our time. Following the example of Don Bosco—who would have approached these realities with boldness—we want AI to remain a tool in the hands of humanity. Our commitment is to educate young people in the conscious and responsible use of these technologies, so that they do not become passive users, but instead learn to use them to deepen their humanity and build their future with hope.”

The event for those wishing to attend the presentation of the final report will take place on May 28, 2026, in Verona.

For more information, please visit the project website: https://www.donboscoitalia.it/go-beyond-traditional-education