Cognita launches AI platform to foster digital skills & impact
Cognita is introducing technology-focused challenges and an artificial intelligence learning platform to help students build digital skills and address social issues worldwide.
According to the World Economic Forum's latest Future of Jobs Report, skills in areas such as AI, big data, and digital literacy are expected to become increasingly important over the next five years, with technology expected to play a major role in the future employment landscape. In response, Cognita, which operates more than 100 schools globally, is implementing initiatives aimed at equipping students to meet these demands through practical and collaborative learning opportunities.
Hands-on learning
The Cognita Student Challenge, launched in 2024, encourages students of all ages to design and deliver innovative projects that address real-world issues in their communities. The competition emphasises the development of practical technological skills, as well as fostering creativity and social impact.
One team from St Andrews International School Sukhumvit 107 in Thailand developed RoboOutreach, a robotics kit and curriculum that aims to connect local and international schools. This project helps to broaden access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, enabling collaboration across different regions and supporting inclusive learning experiences.
In Brazil, students at Instituto GayLussac responded to the theme of accessibility by engineering computer vision glasses for individuals with visual impairments. They used Raspberry Pi hardware combined with machine learning software to help wearers identify people, objects, and text in real time. The project demonstrates the potential for open-source technology to address specific needs and improve everyday life.
Another example comes from students at Colegio Manquecura Ciudad del Este in Chile, who constructed a functional radio telescope using recycled materials and low-cost components. This initiative lowers barriers to entry for astronomy education, making it feasible for other schools to undertake research in the field without substantial financial investment.
Embedding AI in education
Cognita recently launched Cognita AI, which integrates artificial intelligence into daily classroom activities. This is a global platform developed to support teaching and learning across Cognita's global system, starting with a leading personalized learning tool in partnership with Flint. It enables educators to create tailored lessons, generate differentiated resources, and provide immediate feedback to students.
Students using the platform are given guided opportunities to develop responsible AI literacy, practice key skills, and generate ideas, all within a framework of appropriate safeguards and teacher oversight. In this way, students do not only interact with emerging technologies but also learn how to use them responsibly and ethically.
Technology is no longer just a subject - it's the language of collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. When students work together to use technology as a bridge between ideas, cultures, and communities, they unlock their potential to create meaningful change. At Cognita, we're cultivating environments where young people don't just learn about innovation - they live it.
Dr Simon Camby, Cognita's Group Chief Education Officer, outlined the organisation's philosophy on technology education, emphasising the role of collaboration, creative problem-solving, and real-world application of technological skills.
A broader educational mission
Behind these initiatives is Cognita's broader educational philosophy that technology, when taught through teamwork and a clear sense of purpose, can empower young people to contribute positively to society. With over 100 schools in 21 countries and a student body exceeding 100,000, Cognita says its focus extends beyond academic achievement to include the development of resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset, with the intent of preparing students for a rapidly changing world.
The group's recent activities suggest an ongoing commitment to connecting technology education with social good, from robotics programmes in Thailand to AI-powered accessibility tools in Brazil. Cognita maintains that these efforts are helping students build practical skills and ethical awareness, positioning them to both participate in and shape the technologies of the future.
