Google, AI Literacy, and the Learning Sciences: Multiple Modes of Research, Industry, and Practice Partnerships

2026-04-08

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of scaling AI literacy education across society, which is hindered by a lack of cross-sectoral collaboration mechanisms. By integrating resources from research institutions, educational practitioners, and technology companies such as Google, the research employs qualitative methods—including comparative case studies, thematic workshops, expert commentary, and focus group dialogues—to systematically analyze diverse models of industry–academia–practice collaboration. It identifies critical inflection points, driving factors, and innovation opportunities throughout the collaboration lifecycle. Building on these insights, the study proposes a cooperative framework designed to foster mutual gains among stakeholders, offering actionable pathways and policy recommendations for cultivating a sustainable ecosystem for AI literacy education.

Abstract

Enabling AI literacy in the general population at scale is a complex challenge requiring multiple stakeholders and institutions collaborating together. Industry and technology companies are important actors with respect to AI, and as a field, we have the opportunity to consider how researchers and companies might be partners toward shared goals. In this symposium, we focus on a collection of partnership projects that all involve Google and all address AI literacy as a comparative set of examples. Through a combination of presentations, commentary, and moderated group discussion, the session, we will identify (1) at what points in the life cycle do research, practice, and industry partnerships clearly intersect; (2) what factors and histories shape the directional focus of the partnerships; and (3) where there may be future opportunities for new configurations of partnership that are jointly beneficial to all parties.

Problem

• AI literacy
• industry partnerships
• research collaboration
• public education
• stakeholder engagement

Innovation

• AI literacy
• industry-academia partnership
• learning sciences
• collaborative framework
• educational equity