BrAIn — AI Curriculum in Croatian Vocational Education and Training

Croatia's BrAIn project (Primjena digitalnih tehnologija temeljenih na umjetnoj inteligenciji u obrazovanju) is a EUR 16 million initiative funded by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), led by the Croatian Academic and Research Network (CARNET) with the Agency for VET and Adult Education (ASOO), Croatian Catholic University, and the Croatian Association for Artificial Intelligence (CroAI). The project runs from 2023 to 2029.

To pilot a new elective subject, "Artificial Intelligence: From Concept to Application," in vocational secondary schools, covering foundational AI concepts (machine learning, neural networks, data science, robotics), hands-on coding, and mandatory ethics discussions on bias, data privacy, cyber-bullying, plagiarism and societal impact.

In the 2024/25 school year, the elective was piloted in 53 vocational secondary schools. 68 teachers received structured professional development and delivered the curriculum to 1,018 enrolled students. A satisfaction survey of 135 students from 16 VET schools (April 2025) gathered feedback, and the curriculum was revised in June 2025 in response.

Students most valued hands-on AI skills, a relaxed learning environment, teacher engagement, ethical discussions, multimedia content and collaborative learning; some expressed concern about AI replacing jobs and difficulty seeing relevance to their vocational field. A parallel teacher survey found three-quarters reported high or exceptional student interest in AI, and over 90% of participating teachers planned to continue in 2025/26.

The curriculum was revised in June 2025 based on the honest student and teacher feedback, and is supported by updated materials and a community of practice. From 2026/27, the subject is planned for expansion to all Croatian secondary year groups, with a broader research strand studying digital technologies' impact on student wellbeing and learning quality through 2029.