Introduction

Debates over the future of AI in education continue apace. There is increasing advocacy for AI as a public good, and for building on Open Source Software. I originally intended to write just one blog on these ideas but it rapidly grew in length so now I intend to post it as a mini series. This short blog series will guide European teachers and trainers through the key concepts and practical implications of Public AI for education. We'll explore how open source AI models can provide more transparent and equitable alternatives to commercial systems, examine real-world examples of European initiatives that are already putting these principles into practice, and discuss concrete steps that educators can take to advocate for and implement more democratic approaches to educational technology.

In this first post, we'll focus on understanding what Public AI is and why it matters for European education. Future posts will explore open source AI and the three pathways to Public AI development, challenges and opportunities for educators, and practical steps for implementation.

AI at a Crossroads

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms every sector of society, European educators find themselves at a critical juncture. The promise of AI in education is rosy: personalized learning experiences that adapt to each student's needs, intelligent tutoring systems that provide 24/7 support, automated assessment tools that free teachers to focus on higher-order instruction, and translation technologies that break down language barriers in our increasingly diverse classrooms [1]. Yet beneath this technological optimism lies a troubling social reality that demands attention.

Today's most advanced AI systems are controlled by a handful of powerful technology companies, primarily based in the United States and China. These corporations determine not only which AI capabilities are available to educators, but also how these systems are designed, what data they collect, and whose interests they ultimately serve. For European teachers and educational institutions, this concentration of power raises fundamental questions about autonomy, privacy, cultural values, and educational equity.

Consider the implications of this dependency. When a teacher uses a commercial AI tool to generate lesson plans, they are not simply accessing a neutral technology. They are engaging with a system trained on data selected by private companies, optimized for commercial rather than educational goals, and governed by terms of service that prioritize corporate interests over pedagogical principles. The algorithms that power these tools may embed biases that disadvantage certain student populations, while the data they collect about our students and teaching practices becomes a valuable commodity in global markets.

This is where the concept of Public AI as a transformative alternative comes in. Public AI represents a fundamentally different approach to artificial intelligence development and deployment - one that prioritizes transparency, democratic governance, and public benefit over private profit. Rather than accepting a future where educational technology is dictated by distant corporations, Public AI offers European educators the possibility of AI systems that are accountable to the public, built with open and accessible components, and designed specifically to serve educational and social goals.

The Bertelsmann Foundation's 2025 White Paper on Public AI provides a roadmap for this transformation, outlining concrete strategies for developing AI infrastructure that serves the public interest. For educators, this vision addresses many of the concerns that have made teachers rightfully cautious about AI adoption: the lack of transparency in how AI systems make decisions, the absence of meaningful accountability when these systems cause harm, and the risk that AI will exacerbate rather than reduce educational inequalities.

Understanding Public AI: A New Vision for Educational Technology

To appreciate the transformative potential of Public AI for education, we must first understand what distinguishes it from the commercial AI systems that currently dominate the market. Public AI is not simply about making existing AI tools freely available to schools—it represents a fundamental reimagining of how artificial intelligence is developed, governed, and deployed in service of public goals.

At its core, Public AI refers to AI systems that are developed with transparent governance structures, meaningful public accountability mechanisms, open and equitable access to core components such as data and models and clearly defined public functions that prioritize societal benefit over private gain [7]. This definition encompasses several key principles that are particularly relevant for educators seeking to understand how AI can better serve educational purposes.

Key Principles of Public AI

Transparent Governance means that the processes by which AI systems are developed, trained, and deployed are open to public scrutiny. Unlike commercial AI systems where algorithmic decision-making occurs within corporate "black boxes," Public AI systems provide clear documentation of how they work, what data they use, and how they arrive at their outputs. For teachers, this transparency is crucial because it enables them to understand and explain to students, parents, and administrators exactly how AI tools are making decisions that affect learning outcomes.

Public Accountability ensures that when AI systems cause harm or make errors, there are clear mechanisms for addressing these problems and preventing their recurrence. Commercial AI companies often shield themselves from accountability through complex terms of service and limited liability clauses. In contrast, Public AI systems are designed with robust feedback mechanisms that allow educators and students to report problems and participate in ongoing improvement processes [9].

Open and Equitable Access to core AI components means that the fundamental building blocks of AI systems—including training data, model architectures, and evaluation metrics—are made available under open licenses that allow for inspection, modification, and reuse. This openness enables educational institutions to adapt AI tools to their specific needs, cultural contexts, and pedagogical approaches rather than being forced to accept one-size-fits-all commercial solutions.

Public Functions ensure that AI systems are designed from the ground up to serve clearly articulated public purposes rather than to maximize corporate profits or market share. In the educational context, this means AI systems that prioritize learning outcomes, student wellbeing, and educational equity over data collection, user engagement metrics, or advertising revenue.

Why Public AI Matters for European Education

Understanding Public AI also requires recognizing the broader context in which these systems operate. The current AI landscape is characterized by what researchers describe as "concentrated industry power," with a small number of technology giants controlling not only the most advanced AI models but also the foundational infrastructure that makes AI development possible. This concentration has far-reaching consequences for education, as it means that the AI tools available to teachers are designed primarily to serve corporate interests rather than educational goals.

For European educators, this situation is particularly problematic for several reasons:

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Commercial AI systems are predominantly developed in English-speaking contexts and may not adequately support Europe's rich linguistic diversity. Public AI approaches can prioritize multilingual capabilities and cultural sensitivity that better serve European educational needs.

Regulatory Alignment: European regulations like GDPR and the AI Act place strict requirements on AI systems, particularly those used in educational contexts. Public AI systems can be designed from the ground up to comply with these regulations, avoiding the conflicts that often arise with commercial systems developed for other regulatory environments.

Educational Values: European educational systems emphasize values like privacy, equity, and democratic participation that may not be prioritized in commercial AI development. Public AI offers a path to creating systems that align with these values rather than undermining them.

Technological Sovereignty: Dependence on non-European AI providers raises concerns about long-term technological sovereignty and autonomy. Public AI approaches can help build European capacity and reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.

Public AI offers a path toward breaking this dependency and creating AI systems that are truly designed for and accountable to the European educational community. By understanding these principles and advocating for their implementation, European educators can play a crucial role in shaping a more democratic and equitable future for educational technology.