Colégio Paulo VI students join global debate on AI at international summit in Milan and Lake Como

Four Grade 11 students from Colégio Paulo VI, a private school in Gondomar, Portugal, and part of the Ariston Education global network of schools, took part in Next Gen AI 2026 – the International Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Schools – held in Milan and Cernobbio, on Lake Como, from 19 to 22 October. Invited to join one of the leading international forums on AI in education, the students worked alongside peers, teachers and experts from around the world and presented their findings on AI for Work to a global audience.

A Global Forum on AI in Schools

Organised by the Italian Ministry of Education and Merit as part of its “Scuola Futura” travelling campus, and funded through the PNRR Education – Next Generation EU programme, Next Gen AI explores the potential and implications of artificial intelligence in schools. The initiative grew out of the G7 Education meeting, where student delegations called for a debate on AI. Following the 2025 editions in Milan and Naples, this year’s Summit brought together students, teachers, school leaders, representatives of education ministries, international organisations, experts and businesses, with over 40 nationalities, more than 6,000 students and 300 teachers taking part.

The Summit opened at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala with an address by Italy’s Minister for Education and Merit, Giuseppe Valditara, before moving to Villa Erba in Cernobbio for four days of plenaries, workshops and masterclasses. Speakers included Professor Luciano Floridi of Yale University and the University of Bologna, alongside experts from the OECD, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and leading universities.

Paulo VI Students Present on AI for Work

The student programme was built around four areas – AI for Work, AI for Life, AI for Earth and AI for Arts – each following three sessions: Meeting, Learning and Sharing. The Paulo VI students joined AI for Work, exploring how artificial intelligence is changing skills, careers and decision-making, and the new rights and responsibilities it brings for tomorrow’s workers. They took part in talks and workshops, with time for reflection, debate and interaction with international experts, before presenting their findings to an international audience as part of the Summit’s closing presentation – a unique and enriching opportunity and a true example of diversity and international exchange.

Putting AI Fluency into Practice

For Ariston Education, the Summit reflects the network’s focus on AI Fluency and Human Power Skills: equipping students not only to understand artificial intelligence, but to use it critically, creatively and responsibly, and to make their voices heard in the debate about how it will shape their future.

Brian Rogove, CEO of Ariston Education, said:

“At Ariston Education, AI Fluency means going beyond knowing about artificial intelligence to using it critically, creatively and responsibly, and understanding where human judgement must lead. Next Gen AI put exactly that into practice. Our Paulo VI students didn’t just listen to experts – they questioned them, tested new tools with peers from around the world and then shared their own perspective on how AI will reshape the world of work. That combination of AI Fluency, Human Power Skills and Student Voice is what we want every Ariston student to develop, and I’m proud of how these four young people represented Paulo VI and our wider Ariston community on an international stage.”

Cristina Silva, High School Teacher at Colégio Paulo VI, said:

“This was a truly unique opportunity for four of our Grade 11 students to participate in a global debate of genuine interest to their lives on an international scale. The ability to contribute to talks and workshops for educators and students, with time for reflection, debate and interaction with international experts, has been a memorable and unforgettable experience for these Paulo VI students.”

ABOUT ARISTON EDUCATION

Ariston Education is the world’s first global schools platform founded in the AI era. The group brings together premium K–12 schools across multiple regions, each locally distinct, globally connected, and relentlessly student-centred. Every school in the network keeps its own name, character and community, while sharing the academic standards, talent development and investment that no single school could achieve alone. Following the addition of the Merited Alliance of Schools, Ariston Education now operates across EMEA and the Americas, with a network of 19 schools serving more than 11,000 students.

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