WASHINGTON — The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in partnership with Ceibal and implemented by Socialab, is launching a regional call for proposals titled "AI Here!". This initiative aims to identify and support innovative solutions that integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into education systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The call will be open from July 15 to August 15, 2025, and welcomes proposals already being implemented in schools in any of the IDB’s 26 borrowing member countries. The goal is to map, showcase, and strengthen AI applications that are already making an impact in educational settings—especially those tested in real classroom environments.
This initiative is inspired by the IDB’s report, “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Building the Future Through Digital Transformation,” which offers evidence-based recommendations to guide education systems in their digital transformation journeys.
“We want to identify innovative and promising uses of AI that not only inspire but also generate solid evidence to inform public policy decisions across the region. It’s time to move from potential to proof,” said Mercedes Mateo, Chief of the Education Division at the IDB.
Proposals are welcome from startups, NGOs, public institutions, or partnerships with tech companies. What matters is that the solutions are being implemented and help strengthen education through the responsible and ethical use of AI.
“At Ceibal, our mission is to ensure that technological innovation leads to better learning opportunities for every student in our country. As a public policy model and regional reference, we’ve been driving education development for nearly two decades. Today, AI represents a new challenge. That’s why, as an innovation hub serving the education system, we continuously explore ways to support the integration of AI in the classroom. This call is a concrete way to move forward—by connecting knowledge, experiences, and impactful solutions for the region,” said Mauro Carballo, Head of AI and Education at Ceibal.
“This call is a showcase for experiences already proving that AI can help solve real educational challenges. It’s about accelerating knowledge transfer so that this new reality becomes an opportunity rather than a gap. At Socialab, we believe innovation must come from practice and serve the collective good, which is why we’re proud to support this IDB and Ceibal initiative,” said Valentina González, CEO of Socialab.
Participation Categories
Proposals must address at least one of the following challenges:
-AI for improved learning: solutions that enhance differentiated learning experiences and support teacher development.
-AI for access and educational continuity: initiatives that promote equitable access, retention, and progression.
-AI for education system management: tools that improve administrative, monitoring, and decision-making processes.
Awards and Benefits
The three selected initiatives will receive:
-Regional visibility through an official IDB publication.
-Tailored technical support from Ceibal’s EduIA Lab focused on methodologies, AI ethics, and public sector scalability.
-Travel, accommodation, and participation in the EduIA regional conference on AI and education in Montevideo, Uruguay.
How to Apply
Full guidelines and the application form are available at: https://comunidad.socialab.com/en/challenge-landing/iapresente.
Applications close on August 15, 2025. Results will be announced in September.
About the IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is devoted to improving lives across Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1959, the IDB works with the region’s public sector to design and enable impactful, innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development. Leveraging financing, technical expertise and knowledge, it promotes growth and well-being in 26 countries.
About Ceibal
Ceibal is Uruguay’s national center for digital education innovation. It was created as a public policy to ensure digital inclusion and has become a regional reference in educational innovation. Its mission is to promote meaningful use of technology to improve learning, support pedagogical innovation, reduce educational gaps, and foster personal and collective development among students and teachers. Through an integrated ecosystem that includes connectivity, devices, digital platforms, content, teacher training, and research, Ceibal works to ensure equitable, inclusive, and human-centered technology integration in classrooms. It also leads initiatives such as computational thinking and AI in education, in coordination with national and international stakeholders.
About Socialab
Socialab is a certified B Corporation with over 15 years of experience in socio-environmental innovation. It connects organizations with innovative initiatives that solve key challenges and helps scale their impact and long-term profitability. Socialab is known for unlocking human talent and creativity to turn major challenges into social, economic, and environmental opportunities. It works collaboratively with partners, leveraging diverse expertise to deliver impactful innovation and entrepreneurship processes.
Planes,Maria Soledad
AI and Education: Building the Future Through Digital Transformation
By synthesizing lessons from previous experiences and addressing the emerging uncertainties surrounding AIs role in education, this study offers policymakers practical, evidence-based recommendations. It presents a framework to guide the effective integration of technology in education, providing a structured approach to setting objectives, articulating a theory of change, and identifying the key components needed for successful program implementation.