WASHINGTON, CMC – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has launched a regional call for proposals aimed at identifying and supporting innovative solutions that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into education systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IDB said that the “AI Here!” initiative is being undertaken in partnership with Uruguay’s national center for digital education innovation, Ceibal, and implemented by Socialab, a certified B Corporation with over 15 years of experience in socio-environmental innovation.
It said that the call, which remains open until August 15, could also include proposals already being implemented in schools in any of the IDB’s 26 borrowing member countries, including the Caribbean.
“The goal is to map, showcase, and strengthen AI applications that are already making an impact in educational settings, especially those tested in real classroom environments,” the IDB said.
It added that this initiative is inspired by the IDB’s report, “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Building the Future Through Digital Transformation,” which offers evidence-based recommendations to guide education systems in their digital transformation journeys.
“We want to identify innovative and promising uses of AI that not only inspire but also generate solid evidence to inform public policy decisions across the region. It’s time to move from potential to proof,” said Mercedes Mateo, who heads the Education Division at the IDB.
The Washington-based financial institution said that proposals are welcome from startups, non-government organizations (NGOs), public institutions, or partnerships with tech companies. What matters is that the solutions are being implemented and help strengthen education through the responsible and ethical use of AI.
“At Ceibal, our mission is to ensure that technological innovation leads to better learning opportunities for every student in our country. As a public policy model and regional reference, we’ve been driving education development for nearly two decades.
“Today, AI represents a new challenge. That’s why, as an innovation hub serving the education system, we continuously explore ways to support the integration of AI in the classroom. This call is a concrete way to move forward by connecting knowledge, experiences, and impactful solutions for the region,” said Mauro Carballo, the head of AI and Education at Ceibal.
Socialab’s chief executive officer, Valentina González, said this call is a showcase for experiences already proving that AI can help solve real educational challenges.
“It’s about accelerating knowledge transfer so that this new reality becomes an opportunity rather than a gap. At Socialab, we believe innovation must come from practice and serve the collective good, which is why we’re proud to support this IDB and Ceibal initiative,” said González.
The IDB said that proposals must address at least one of the following challenges, namely.
AI for improved learning: solutions that enhance differentiated learning experiences and support teacher development; AI for access and educational continuity: initiatives that promote equitable access, retention, and progression; and AI for education system management: tools that improve administrative, monitoring, and decision-making processes.
It said that the three selected initiatives will receive regional visibility through an official IDB publication, tailored technical support from Ceibal’s EduIA Lab focused on methodologies, AI ethics, and public sector scalability, as well as travel, accommodation, and participation in the EduIA regional conference on AI and education in Montevideo, Uruguay.
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