High school students sit in front of a computer and use an AI tool. (Archive image)
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is being put to good use here: two schools from Berlin and Brandenburg have been honored with the 2025 AI School Award.
The Käthe Kollwitz Gymnasium Berlin took third place in the AI overall concept category. The Neue Grundschule Potsdam also took third place in the same category, according to the organizers. The awards were presented in Heilbronn and are endowed with 10,000 euros each.
Under the motto "Own your power," students at this Berlin high school learn not only how to use AI, but also how to critically question it and apply it in a self-determined way. In special AI competence days, specialized lessons, and project formats, they work with language, image, and audio applications, develop their own applications, and grapple with ethical questions.
"AI is not only being consumed, but also used very consciously and independently to improve everyday school life for everyone," praised Berlin's Senator for Education Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) in a statement. "With the same goal in mind, we are also working across Berlin on the use of AI in schools, with guidance, an AI training initiative – and soon also with the new Berlin chatbot 'Telli', which the Käthe Kollwitz Gymnasium will test as a pilot school," said the senator.
The Neue Grundschule Potsdam impressed with its concept of embedding AI in a child-centered and inclusive learning culture. Among other things, AI supports individual learning paths, language development, and creative media work. A school-wide AI policy and ongoing training form the basis of the approach.
"Today's award winners impressively demonstrate that artificial intelligence can positively promote modern school development and contribute significantly to making education more equitable and individualized," explained Bärbel G. Renner, Managing Director of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. The AI School Award is presented by "Germany – Land of Ideas" and sponsored by the Deutsche Telekom Foundation and the Dieter Schwarz Foundation. A total of seven schools were honored in 2025 and prize money of 100,000 euros was awarded.