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Katarina Sperling

My research explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is introduced and used in schools and higher education, and what kind of knowledge becomes essential for teachers and students.

Research on AI and Education

AI is expected to transform many aspects of society, education is no exception. AI is often presented as a solution to challenges such as teacher shortages and growing knowledge gaps between student groups. At the same time, these multifaceted technologies raise important ethical questions related to student privacy, fairness, transparency in algorithmic decision-making, and accountability. I am passionate about contributing knowledge in this rapidly changing research field.

In my doctoral thesis Beyond F(AI)TH: The introduction and materialisation of artificial intelligence in schools, I demystify the promises of AI technologies and highlight the compensatory work that teachers contribute. I also identify ethical dilemmas that may negatively affect teaching and learning, and discuss how AI reshapes the teacher’s role and educational practices. My studies also point to the importance of strengthening the teaching profession with specific knowledge about how AI impacts education.


My academic and theoretical grounding lies in Educational Work, Educational Science, and Science and Technology Studies (STS), while my curiosity continuously leads me to explore new approaches and creative methods in the research process.

Lectures and Workshops

I frequently lecture on AI in schools and AI literacy, both nationally and internationally. In addition to academic conferences, I have presented at BETT 2022 in London, led workshops for policymakers at the School Innovation Forum in Luxembourg, and will be a keynote speaker and workshop leader at Seoul National University in December 2025, focusing on socio material theory, in particular Actor-Network Theory and AI. My presentations cover topics such as school digitalization, data-driven school development, and creative methods in qualitative research – always with the aim of engaging and inspiring a broad audience.

Ongoing Projects

I am involved in two research projects on AI literacy, funded by WASP-HS and the Swedish Research Council, focusing on teacher education and primary education. I am also actively engaged in the development of the AIST Lab (Artificial Intelligence, Simulation and Teaching Laboratory) which is a collaborative space for research, education, and outreach related to AI in teaching and learning.

Publications

2025

Katarina Sperling, Linnéa Stenliden, Linda Mannila, Jonas Hallström, Charlotta Nordlöf, Fredrik Heintz (2025) Perspectives on AI literacy in Middle School Classrooms: An Integrative Review Postdigital Science and Education (Article in journal) Continue to DOI
Linda Mannila, Jonas Hallström, Charlotta Nordlöf, Fredrik Heintz, Katarina Sperling, Linnéa Stenliden (2025) Framing AI Literacy for K-12 Education: Insights from Multi-Perspective and International Stakeholders ACE '25: Proceedings of the 27th Australasian Computing Education Conference, p. 85-94 (Conference paper) Continue to DOI

2024

Katarina Sperling (2024) BEYOND F(AI)TH: The introduction and materialisation of artificial intelligence in schools
Katarina Sperling (2024) The fading of f(AI)th: Tracing the technological promises of a wellbeing app in K-12 education Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning, 14th International Conference MIS4TEL 2024, p. 103-115 (Conference paper) Continue to DOI
Linnéa Stenliden, Katarina Sperling (2024) Breaking the Magic of Automation and Augmentation in Swedish Classrooms Nordisk tidsskrift for pedagogikk og kritikk, Vol. 10, p. 15-32 (Article in journal) Continue to DOI

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