(ANS – Verona) – With more than 700 licenses of the “Google Gemini” AI model in use, the Salesians of the “San Marco” Province in Northeast Italy (INE) have become one of the world’s most significant case studies in educational innovation.

On Thursday, May 29, 2025, global executives from Google for Education will attend the presentation of the first-year results of the project “Go Beyond Traditional Education,” an initiative launched by the Salesian Province “San Marco” of Northeast Italy. This ambitious educational program integrates artificial intelligence at the core of the Salesian pedagogical system. It is developed in collaboration with Google for Education, MR Digital, and the Salesian University Institute of Venice (IUSVE).

The event, sponsored by the Veneto Regional School Office, will take place at the Salesian Institute “San Zeno” in Verona, starting at 3:00 p.m. local time. Notable attendees will include:

–      Fr. Elio Cesari, President of the National Center for Salesian Institutes (CNOS)

–      Fr. Silvio Zanchetta, INE Provincial Superior

–      Marco Berardinelli, Google for Education – Italy

–      Andrea Russo, MR Digital

–      Amanda Rosenburg and Mary Spence, Google for Education – New York

–      Anna Artemyeva, Google for Education UK

–      Representatives from Confindustria Veneto Est (Confederation of Industries, East Veneto)

–      Valeria Mantovan, Regional Minister for Education

“‘Go Beyond Traditional Education’ was born out of a desire to merge the rich Salesian educational tradition with the opportunities offered by AI algorithms,” said Fr. Lorenzo Teston, INE Delegate for Schools. “Our goal is to use technology in service of learning, encouraging critical thinking around AI, promoting inclusion for all students, and enhancing teachers’ ability to truly listen.”

During the Verona meeting, Federico Valletti, lead teacher and project coordinator, will present the educational outcomes of the AI integration. Also featured will be findings from an academic study conducted by Davide Girardi, General Research Coordinator at IUSVE, and Enrico Miatto, Head of the Pedagogy Department.

“More than 600 educational activities were piloted,” explained Alberto Grillai, Delegate of the Salesian Foundation for Vocational Training in Northeast Italy. “The project engaged 26 Salesian schools across the Triveneto region, involving over 9,000 students and 700 teachers, with 750 licenses of Google Gemini for Education activated—making it one of the most comprehensive AI-based educational trials at both national and international levels.”

Ethics and data privacy guidelines are also under development thanks to the research work at IUSVE. As Fr. Nicola Giacopini, Director of the Institute, emphasized:

“In an era when algorithms are often seen as neutral or unavoidable, we believe it is essential to educate both students and teachers in the ethical and responsible use of these educational tools.”

The event is open to the public with prior registration at salesianinordest.it or via this link.