Learning to learn with AI – How an idea became an international workshop series

The idea of the Unite! Seed Fund project EmpowerAI, which I was involved in as a TU Graz student, was born at the Unite! Seed Fund Ideathon 2024 in Graz. Four students from three Unite! universities came together to develop a shared vision: artificial intelligence should not just be a tool in higher education, but a learning partner — and students should learn to learn with AI, rather than just using it.

This idea became a funded project, coordinated by Yuchen Fan (Politecnico di Torino) with support from Silvia Gomez and Daniel Cabrerizo (UPC Barcelona) as well as myself from TU Graz. In 2025, three workshops were held — in Turin, Graz, and Barcelona. All followed the same approach: an accessible, reflective, and inclusive introduction to learning with AI.

The current Unite! Seed Fund Call for student organizations is open until March 8, 2026. More info to the Unite! Seed Fund 2026: OPEN CALL

EmpowerAI at TU Graz

The workshop at TU Graz took place right at the beginning of the new academic year and brought together around twenty students from a wide range of disciplines. It kicked off with a keynote speech by Benedikt Brünner from the Institute for Human-Centered Computing at TU Graz, who researches innovative teaching formats related to artificial intelligence and classified current developments in the field of AI and education.

In the subsequent sessions, we worked on three topics in a practical manner:

• effective prompting,
• ethical issues surrounding AI,
• and digital organisation and learning strategies.

One fundamental insight emerged from many discussions: most students already use AI in their everyday studies, especially for research or writing tasks. However, it is used much less frequently as a creative or experimental learning tool.

The “EmpowerAI” workshop series is based on the concept of algorithmic efficacy—that is, the combination of practical skills and the confidence to use AI meaningfully for one's own learning goals.

Didactically, the workshop was based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL): clear structures, multiple access routes, and exercises suitable for different levels of prior knowledge.

Creativity as a gateway: the prompt stand-up exercise

I particularly remember the prompt stand-up exercise. We were asked to confront AI with deliberately unusual, humorous tasks, such as:

• “Explain quantum physics as if Gordon Ramsay was yelling in the kitchen.”
• “Explain the French Revolution as a football commentary.”
• “Explain programming loops as a Harry Potter spell.”

The room reacted with laughter—but also with genuine surprise. For many, it was the first time they had consciously used AI creatively. It was precisely this playful approach that noticeably lowered inhibitions: beginners were quicker to experiment, while experienced users broke out of their established patterns of use.

The exercise clearly demonstrated how creativity in prompting can loosen up learning processes, motivate, and make them more accessible.

Benefits and outlook

“EmpowerAI” made it clear to me that learning with AI goes far beyond acquiring technical skills. Rather, the focus is on curiosity, openness, and a willingness to try out new ways of learning. This perspective also shapes my further academic work and forms the basis of my master's thesis.

Participating in the Unite! Seed Fund project was much more than just another university project for me. It gave me the opportunity to develop and implement my own idea together with students from various European universities.

A key learning outcome was taking on responsibility within an international project team. The content design, speaking abroad, and planning, moderating, and running an entire workshop day in Graz were particularly valuable experiences for me.

Working with international speakers was equally formative. Inviting external experts and coordinating content gave me important experience in the field of professional education and event management.

I would definitely recommend other students to participate in the Unite! Seed Fund, especially those who want to actively shape their own ideas, take on responsibility, and experience international collaboration in projects. EmpowerAI has shown me the potential that arises when students are actively involved in implementation.

Both the “EmpowerAI”- project and the implementation of the international workshop series would not have been possible without the support of the Unite! Seed Fund. The funding has made it possible to further develop a student idea in a sustainable manner, implement it in practice, and continue it beyond the project period.

The results of the “EmpowerAI” project are currently being compiled in a joint report. At the same time, the insights gained in this project are being directly incorporated into my master's thesis, in which I am working on NextQuest – a playful AI tutor for school students.

Further information on all the opportunities Unite! offers you as part of your studies can be found on the TU4U intranet under “Unite! – Study at the European Campus.”