The subject of the procurement is an AI-based solution that will be available as a web application to users, primarily teachers, performing certain tasks independently, automatically, or in a supportive manner, and also enabling students to use AI functionalities individually under the guidance and supervision of teachers at times.
LOT-0001
LOT-0001 E25246969
Procurement of an AI tool for educational use.
The contracting authority operates the Online School Saarland (OSS). This teaching and learning platform includes identity management and provides students and teachers with a course area through which learning materials and interactive learning activities can be made available. The Online School Saarland is connected to the digital identity management services in schools (VIDIS), through which external services are integrated. The learning platform is compatible with all devices and can be used both in class and for learning from home. Access is online through the respective browser of the appropriate devices (PCs and mobile devices).
Currently, around 303 schools are using the educational platform. As a standard and regular tool for designing digital teaching-learning arrangements, it has become an integral part of daily school life in many institutions. Developments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are expected to progress rapidly in the coming months and years. At the latest through the market launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, the topic of Artificial Intelligence has also become part of the educational mandate of schools.
A competent, critically reflective engagement with AI – especially with AI chats – is essential for successfully addressing future challenges in the everyday and professional world of students.
Therefore, part of the OSS should in the future be an AI-based solution that will be available to users, primarily teachers, as a web application that can perform certain tasks independently, automatically, or supportively, and also enable students to have individual usage of AI functionalities guided and supervised by teachers at times (hereinafter referred to as the “AI Tool”).
To guide students in using this technology, opportunities for teachers to engage deeply with AI should also be created. To support teachers, a comprehensive training program should be provided, consisting of application training and events for specific classroom use in various subjects, to facilitate their familiarization and preparation for teaching, including eLearning and online training.
In professional everyday life, AI could relieve teachers. Be it through support in organizing field trips, drafting letters to guardians, processing texts, or creating (interactive) exercises.
The required AI tool must be connected via VIDIS, which is operated by the Institute for Film and Image in Science and Education (FWU). Through the VIDIS interface of the AI tool to be procured, both the technical connection of the tool to the OSS and a Single Sign-On solution with OSS user data for the users will be enabled. The connection of all schools and the Ministry of Education and Culture (MBK) and the BCS (Education Campus Saarland) to the AI tool via VIDIS must be completed no later than 14 days after the award of the contract, as it is a prerequisite for achieving operational readiness.
To pedagogically accompany the introduction of an AI tool in Saarland, an AI certification course has been developed. Only after successfully completing this course will teachers gain access to the AI tool through the OSS. The AI tool to be procured will be used by up to 10,000 teachers. Additionally, students will use individual functions of the AI tool.
The scope of services of the AI tool to be procured is described in detail in the service description.