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The AI Workbench - An Interactive No-Code Tool for Fostering AI Literacy

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Learning and Collaboration Technologies (HCII 2025)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 15806))

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Abstract

This paper describes the design and a preliminary evaluation of the AI Workbench, an interactive tool for fostering AI literacy for secondary school students by enabling them to prototype user-facing AI applications without programming. It is based on a competence model for AI literacy that combines technical exploration and ethical reflection, in order to support a critical understanding while also encouraging responsible engagement with AI systems. The workbench focuses on building simple image recognition applications, but goes beyond related tools by providing customizable multimedia outputs and a dual view interface allowing students to explore the perspectives of both developers and end-users. In this way, it highlights the problem of the opacity of AI and its real-world implications, encouraging students to critically examine issues such as transparency, fairness, and ethical considerations. The results of a preliminary evaluation in two workshops with 57 secondary school students provided positive indications of the effectiveness of the tool to support experiential learning about AI. Participants reported a better understanding of both AI mechanics and basic ethical issues, as well as high user satisfaction. Further development will include scenario-based simulations, such as autonomous driving test environments, to better contextualize technical and ethical decisions.

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Acknowledgement

The AI Workbench was developed as part of the iKIDO project at the Institute of Applied Computer Science of the University of Applied Science Stralsund, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Applied Sciences Stralsund, 18437, Stralsund, Germany

    Jessica Laufer & Jasminko Novak

Authors
  1. Jessica Laufer
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  2. Jasminko Novak
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Laufer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA

    Brian K. Smith

  2. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

    Marcela Borge

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Laufer, J., Novak, J. (2025). The AI Workbench - An Interactive No-Code Tool for Fostering AI Literacy. In: Smith, B.K., Borge, M. (eds) Learning and Collaboration Technologies. HCII 2025. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 15806. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93564-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-93564-0_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-93563-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-93564-0

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