'Maddie is Online' recommended resource by the Scottish Government

 

'Maddie is Online' recommended resource featured in  
'Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools: guidelines and guardrails' developed by the Scottish Government

‘Maddie is Online’ is highlighted in the newly published Scottish Government document Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Schools: Guidelines and Guardrails as one of the recommended resources for supporting AI education. The Scottish Government’s guidance provides a national framework to help schools use AI safely, ethically and responsibly. It emphasises that AI should enhance learning and teaching rather than replace the professional judgement and expertise of educators. The document also reinforces Scotland’s wider ambition to be a leader in trustworthy, inclusive and ethical AI, ensuring that any use of AI in education aligns with the country’s values, safeguarding expectations and commitment to equity.

The inclusion of 'Maddie is Online' in the Scottish Government document signals national recognition of the value of our co-created resources with young people and amplifies the importance of children’s rights and the active involvement of learners in decisions about how AI is designed and used. This commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) demonstrates that young people have the right to be informed, to be heard and to participate meaningfully in shaping the digital tools that affect their learning and everyday life.

It also represents a significant achievement for the project as it signals national‑level recognition that the resource is not only of high‑quality but also aligned with Scotland’s wider ambitions for safe, ethical and inclusive AI in education. 'Maddie is Online' is a trusted tool that supports children’s rights, empowers student voice and helps young people understand AI in a way that is accessible, age‑appropriate and grounded in wellbeing. Schools across Scotland and beyond are encouraged to use the resource as part of their approach to responsible AI education.

The 'Maddie is Online project' as a contributor to Scotland’s leadership in trustworthy AI, therefore, demonstrates that this work meets the standards expected for national guidance: ethical, child‑centred, and supportive of teachers rather than replacing them.

Embedding student voice is a core principle of responsible AI adoption. Schools are encouraged to engage learners in discussions about fairness, transparency and the impact of AI. AI tools should be developed and implemented with them, respecting their safety, agency, perspectives and lived experiences.

If you would like to learn more about how to use 'Maddie is Online' in your school please get in touch with Dr Konstantina Martzoukou k.martzoukou@rgu.ac.uk

  use of AI in Schools