The event features a packed programme of sessions designed to guide and support technological evolution in the world of education:
– International perspective and new tools: participants will have the opportunity to discuss the latest emerging trends directly with experts from Google Edu Italia and Google USA. There will be in-depth sessions on generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) tools, with a focus on the latest developments in Gemini, Workspace Studio and new applications for content creation.
– Practical classroom experimentation: the heart of the event will be practical workshops on the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and the sharing of experiences already tested by teachers.
– Networking and project development: ample space will be given to strengthening the ‘Community’ of tutors and facilitators within the Salesian educational world, as well as presenting the initial findings and feedback on the ongoing experimentation for the 2025–2026 period.
The event forms part of the roadmap for the “Go Beyond Traditional Education” project, which aims for substantial educational innovation through formation and experimentation, actively involving a network of 1,500 teachers and formators, and the participation of 80 Salesian institutions, including schools and vocational training centres.
The path towards innovation, which began experimentally as early as the 2024/2025 academic year, is validated by the data presented during the “Fiera Didacta Italia” in March 2026 at the conference where the publication was unveiled: “Artificial Intelligence in Salesian Schools and Vocational Formation”, published by the CNOS-FAP ETS Foundation, which compiled the most significant experiences from among the 564 teaching activities across all school levels and the 103 activities aimed at enhancing teachers’ professional productivity.
The Go Beyond Traditional Education project builds on the thinking 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 finds a new frontier for implementation in the current landscape of the age of artificial intelligence, enabling us to live and educate in the present with a conscious eye to the future.
The “Go Beyond” project touches on crucial areas of the world of education, such as support for curriculum design, the creation of teaching materials and the expansion of information, the assessment process, and the personalisation of learning with a focus on inclusion.
The data collected in the initial phase are extremely encouraging. The expansion of the project and the academic support provided by the Pontifical Salesian University and the Salesian University Institute of Venice (IUSVE) suggest that the results of the 2025/2026 pilot will confirm the true nature of the Go Beyond project: not merely the adoption of technology, but the creation of an ecosystem that promotes its competent and responsible use.
This is how Fr Elio Cesari, President of the National Centre of Salesian Works and coordinator of the Project Steering Committee, puts it: “The GO Beyond Traditional Education project represents a fundamental milestone in the journey of innovation within our educational mission. Internally, this work bears witness to the immense value of the synergy between the various entities of Salesian Italy: a cohesive network of 80 schools and over 1,500 teachers who share skills and visions to build a cutting-edge educational ecosystem. The strength of this journey lies precisely in our ability to build community, transforming the pilot scheme into a shared asset for digital growth.
Externally, the project’s solidity is guaranteed by world-class partnerships, starting 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 institutions of excellence such as the Pontifical Salesian University and IUSVE, which provide scientific validation for our work.
As Salesians, our interest in Artificial Intelligence is not dictated by a technological fad, but is a genuine charismatic response to the challenges of the present. Following the example of Don Bosco, who would have approached these scenarios boldly, 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 know how to use them to broaden 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 28 May in Verona.
For further information, please visit the project’s website: https://www.donboscoitalia.it/go-beyond-traditional-education
