Microsoft chooses Europe – good news for AI tools in education

Microsoft has announced that it is making additional investments in digital infrastructure, training and AI in Europe. As Microsoft puts it: “We are putting Europe first.” This move – to develop AI with Europe, for Europe – is good news for everyone working on trustworthy and privacy-friendly AI solutions.

For education, this means room is opening up for tools such as the Feedback Companion (www.feedbackcompanion.eu), which run locally or within European borders and are designed with safety, autonomy and pedagogy in mind. Instead of a “black box” AI on the other side of the ocean, we are building transparent, accountable applications within our own context.

Why does this matter?

In educational settings where data minimisation and student safety are essential, it is crucial that AI solutions:

• run in European data centres;
• comply with the GDPR and ethical guidelines;
• can be adapted to local educational needs.

With this step by Microsoft, there is more room for collaboration with European educational institutions, as we are already doing in our AI pilot at Hogeschool Utrecht.

🔁 “Wonderful news! Especially for the responsible use of AI in education. We use this in pilots with the Feedback Companion, locally or on European servers. Very important for reliability, privacy and autonomy.” – Pascal Mariany

Would your school or programme also like to get started with AI within European borders? Feel free to get in touch or take a look at our AI workshops.

Read more in the article Microsoft belooft VS aan te klagen bij blokkade van clouddiensten in Europa – IT Pro – Nieuws – Tweakers.