Early Language Learning & Multilingual Education Network

ABSTRACT

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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in early language education presents transformative opportunities for personalized, inclusive, and responsive learning. However, language teachers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) often lack the AI literacy needed to harness these advancements effectively. Key challenges include limited professional development, ethical concerns around data privacy, and equitable access to digital tools. As AI reshapes pedagogical practices, educators must critically engage with its implications, not only technically, but also ethically and pedagogically. Recent frameworks by UNESCO and the European Union offer guidance on inclusive, human-centered, and ethical AI use in education, yet the gap between policy and classroom implementation remains substantial. Building robust AI literacy in ECE requires a comprehensive approach: training, ethical reflection, and cross-sector collaboration. In my presentation, I will examine how well-prepared our educators are to navigate and lead this AI-enhanced future in early language learning and propose strategies to bridge the divide between innovation and practice.

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BIO

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​Dr. Maria Perifanou is a leading researcher in Technology-Enhanced Learning (TEL) and Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL). She is an adjunct professor at several Greek universities and a senior researcher at the (SMILE) Lab. She serves as Vice-President of European Association of Technology Enhanced Learning (EATEL) and General Chair of its JTEL Summer School. Dr. Perifanou has led and contributed to over 35 EU-funded projects on TEL, AI in education, and intelligent CALL. She also chairs key Special Interest Groups within EATEL. With over 120 peer-reviewed publications, she has earned international awards for research excellence. She ranks in the top 0.94% of global scholars in Educational Technology (last 5 years) and 1.58% lifetime, according to ScholarGPS.