Lego Unveils AI Learning Solution for Schools

Following the surprise reveal of the Smart Play system at CES, Lego Education has announced a new initiative aimed squarely at the classroom: the Computer Science and AI Learning Solution. While the Smart Play system delighted fans by modernizing bricks without screens, this new educational kit embraces technology to teach the next generation about artificial intelligence.

However, the approach is distinctly Lego. Rather than focusing on the hype of generative AI or building chatbots, the company is positioning the curriculum as a fundamental extension of computer science education. By leveraging familiar bricks and decades of educational experience, Lego aims to demystify AI for students while addressing a critical gap in current teaching resources.

According to Andrew Silwinski, Lego Education’s head of product experience, the initiative was in development long before the recent explosion of consumer-facing tools like ChatGPT. The goal is not to chase trends but to equip students with foundational core ideas that have existed since the 1970s. Silwinski emphasizes that fluency in AI tools is about expanding computer science literacy, not generating content.

The curriculum is designed to introduce concepts that are often overlooked in simplified AI narratives. Rather than treating AI as magic, the lessons focus on the mechanics behind the technology. Key topics include:

• Probability and statistics
• Data quality and algorithmic bias
• Sensors and machine perception
• Coding and conditional logic

By grounding the learning in these timeless concepts, Lego ensures the education remains relevant regardless of which specific AI models dominate the market in the future.

Lego has established strict "red lines" regarding data privacy and student interaction. The company asserts that no data can ever cross the internet to Lego or any third party. This is a significant technical challenge, but the solution relies on local inference rather than cloud processing. The system is optimized to run on older classroom hardware, described by Silwinski as "the 10-year-old Chromebooks you’ll see in classrooms."

"No data can ever go across the internet to us or any other third party. And that's a really hard bar if you know anything about AI."

Furthermore, the lessons deliberately avoid anthropomorphizing AI. Unlike conversational interfaces that abstract away mechanics, Lego’s system encourages students to understand the underlying processes. Children can train their own machine learning models locally, ensuring that the technology remains a tool for creation rather than a mysterious entity.

The development of these kits was heavily influenced by a commissioned study that revealed a lack of adequate resources for teaching computer science. The study indicated that 50% of teachers globally believe current resources leave students bored, while nearly half feel the subject matter is not relatable to student interests. To combat this, Lego designed the system to be accessible regardless of a teacher's prior fluency in the subject.

Lego Education provides a comprehensive support package to ensure educators feel confident. This includes:

• Complete lesson materials and training
• Ready-made presentation notes
• Hardware tailored for group collaboration

The kits are structured for four students to work together under teacher oversight. To accommodate different school schedules, Lego Education works directly with districts to provide on-ramps for students who might start the curriculum in Kindergarten versus those starting in middle school.

The Computer Science and AI Learning Solution integrates Lego bricks with additional hardware to motorize models. For older grades, the sets include a mode that functions similarly to a mesh network, allowing students to connect motors and sensors to build complex interactions without needing a computer. This mirrors the "invisible technology" philosophy of the Smart Play system, prioritizing tactile building over screen time for younger students.

The curriculum is divided into three grade bands: K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. Pricing reflects the complexity of the hardware included in each tier:

• K-2 sets: $339.95
• 3-5 sets: $429.95
• 6-8 sets: $529.95

Single kits are currently available for pre-order and will begin shipping in April. Bundles of six kits are also available for purchase, with custom quotes offered for larger district-wide orders.

Lego’s entry into the AI education space marks a significant shift in how the technology is introduced to young learners. By stripping away the conversational interfaces and cloud dependencies that define consumer AI, the company is offering a grounded, privacy-first alternative. This approach aligns with Lego's long-standing reputation for fostering creativity through structured play.

As schools grapple with how to responsibly integrate AI into their curricula, Lego Education provides a solution that prioritizes understanding over interaction. The launch suggests that the future of AI education may look less like a chat window and more like a hands-on engineering challenge.