The Artificial Intelligence (AI), Simulation and Teaching Laboratory – the AIST Lab – is one of the largest research groups in the Nordic countries focusing on AI, simulation and teaching. Research in artificial intelligence and simulation linked to education has a long history at Linköping University. What is new is combining the two in the same lab.
Peter Holgersson AB
“The technology development is extremely fast, and AI affects the entire educational landscape. Teachers and others need support in understanding what this entails. There’s a huge need for our expertise, for arenas and meeting places,” says Linnéa Stenliden, professor of educational science who researches AI in schools.
Simulation provides teachers with skills training
Marcus Samuelsson, a senior associate professor of pedagogy, was the first in Sweden to offer simulation training for teachers.
“We know that far too many primary school students don’t learn what they could have learned if their teacher had been better at teaching. One of the reasons for this is that some teachers lack the ability to lead teaching. They need to practice such skills, and they can do so through simulations,” he says.
Simulation training participants get to meet students in the form of avatars on the screen. The avatars have different personalities and thus react differently to what the teacher does. Afterwards, the participants receive immediate feedback from experts, which is difficult to accomplish in an ordinary classroom.
One simulation project is about reading.
Peter Holgersson AB
In another project, prospective social science teachers will be trained to teach about controversial issues, such as fake news and conspiracy theories, via simulation. It is important to feel safe with this before entering working life and it is not certain that they will be given the opportunity to try it during their school placement, VFU.
Ability to critically examine AI
Another example of how research and practice are linked is a primary school project on the ability to understand, use and critically examine AI, so-called AI literacy.
“We have followed teachers who teach about AI, linked, for example, to AI-generated images. The teachers are supported in developing and carrying out their teaching and, based on the results, we have developed single-subject courses to be offered at LiU from the autumn of 2026,” says Linnéa Stenliden.
A series of seminars on AI and simulation are being planned together with LiU Skolsamverkan (School collaboration). The series is aimed at teachers and educational leaders in Östergötland but will be open to all.
Strengthening the education sector
Peter Holgersson AB“At present, our main focus is to provide for LiU, but we also have broad collaborations with the Swedish National Agency for Education, municipalities in and outside Östergötland, and other actors nationally and internationally,” says Marcus Samuelsson.
Sought-after skills development
The initial focus is on teacher education and schools, but also other higher education and skills development. The AIST Lab cooperates with teachers on several programmes at LiU, such as the medical programme, the occupational therapy programme and the psychology programme. The lab also plays an important role in LiU’s ongoing efforts to ensure all education is AI-ready.
“We see great demand from university teachers to develop their skills in this area, and the students will also benefit from this,” says Marcus Samuelsson.
European cooperation
Internationally, the AIST Lab cooperates for instance within ECIU, the European Consortium of Innovative Universities. Linnéa Stenliden is a member of an expert group on AI in education that works closely with the European Commission. She says that there is a great interest in what is being done in the AIST Lab.
“We’re not just a lab at a university. We take our research into society and contribute to great social benefit,” says Linnéa Stenliden.
Magnus Johansson
