Edinburgh Futures Institute, in partnership with Phoenix Court Works and Next Economy Trust, recently delivered the AI Literacy Challenge, a new initiative that aims to educate and upskill Edinburgh citizens in the use and ethics of AI, focusing on inclusivity and civic empowerment.
The initiative recognises Artificial Intelligence (AI) as one of the most important technologies of our age, and understanding how it works and the impact it has on all our lives is more important than ever.
For this initiative, the Futures Institute partnered with the Grassmarket Community Project, a charity which supports vulnerable adults in Edinburgh through reconnection, experience and social enterprise, to give their members the opportunity to take part in the first pilot cohort throughout July 2026.
Through a series of four tutor-led group sessions, participants went ‘under the hood’ of AI to explore important topics and get hands-on with practical exercises.
Practical learning in the workshops included working in teams to solve problems with AI assistance as well as the human tutor team.
Participants also had the option to work on a personal project idea connected to a real-world need, audience, or community context, with AI possibly playing a role in the process.
To celebrate the achievements of the first cohort, an exhibition detailing the project ran from 5 to11 August in the Anthea Bond Exhibition Room at Edinburgh Futures Institute, featuring interactive data visualisation and interviews with the participants.
“The AI Literacy project is an important way for the university to connect with its local communities, sharing expertise and experience in a two-way exchange with the groups closest to us.”
-Marion Thain, Director, Edinburgh Futures Institute
“Digital exclusion is already a reality for many people in our community, and the rise of AI risks widening that gap. We are really excited about this workshop series with the Edinburgh Futures Institute and are grateful that we can start to support our members to build knowledge and confidence in a changing digital world.”
-Perry O’Bray, Head of Member Services, Grassmarket Community Project
“AI literacy shouldn’t be a privilege reserved for those already inside the industry. Inclusive innovation programmes like this are exactly the kind of long-term, community-first investment that will determine who gets to participate in the next wave of technological change.”
-Saul Klein, Co-Founder and Chair, Phoenix Court
Further cohorts of learners for the AI Literacy Challenge are planned for winter 2026 and early 2027.
Related links
AI Literacy Challenge Exhibition
