Young people in Kosovo develop AI solutions for students with disabilities

Artificial intelligence-based tools created by young people, teachers and technology mentors in Kosovo aim to make the learning process more accessible and inclusive. The news was announced by UNICEF Kosovo.

These solutions were developed during a three-day hackathon in Ferizaj, attended by around 35 people. Four teams of students from the University of Pristina took part in the event, working with teachers, teaching assistants and children with disabilities.

The main focus was to find ways in which artificial intelligence could support teachers and assistants in inclusive classrooms, UNICEF said.

The problems addressed were identified by the teachers themselves. They included a lack of access to learning materials, limited knowledge of assistive technologies, difficulties in measuring the progress of students with disabilities, stigmatization, overcrowded classrooms and limited training opportunities.

During the program, the students analyzed these challenges and then worked on designing, testing and improving concrete tools.

“This unique experience gave me the opportunity to learn many new things, while also proving that even with basic skills, I can build meaningful solutions that have a positive impact on children’s lives,” said student Jona Dika.

The “MësoLehtë AI” tool won the award for best solution. Through this tool, teachers can upload a complex text and adapt it to the different needs of students. The platform offers content simplification at different levels, vocabulary explanations, quiz creation and a text-to-speech function in Albanian and English.

The other three teams presented solutions for individual education planning, converting materials into more accessible formats and tracking students’ progress.

UNICEF announced that the schools participating in the program will continue to receive technical support and mentoring, with the aim of improving and using the solutions that show potential.

The program also aims to increase young people’s digital skills and knowledge of artificial intelligence by involving them in the creation of tools that can remove barriers and help advance inclusive education, according to UNICEF.