Hitachigymnasiet Västerås

The Swedish school pioneering technology education with its AI-driven learning model

Hitachigymnasiet Västerås, a state secondary academy in Västerås, Västmanland, Sweden, is pioneering future-oriented technology skills development by offering an AI-driven education model that gives students access to leading technology and innovation, combined with entrepreneurship opportunities to solve real-world challenges. In Sweden, interest in training in technology fields has been declining, leading to a lack of engineers and technical specialists, and in turn, a lack of critical skills development. To inspire a renewed interest in technology, the school has transformed into a space where innovation meets reality to position students as entrepreneurs and technical leaders. 

As the first school in Sweden to educate in AI, the school has been a driving force behind AI-centred courses at both high school and university level. Entrepreneurship, innovation, and product development form the backbone of the model, giving students a solid foundation in critical thinking and self-awareness. Students collaborate with real-world businesses through project-based learning experiences that challenge them to find and refine their personal proficiencies while developing their leadership and teamwork skills. They gain hands-on experience with AI in building and comparing models, programming in various languages, and working with smart systems like drones. In partnership with Junior Achievement, students have created custom AI systems, including versions of ChatGPT tailored to their needs. By the third year, students can access internships across Europe and even globally, which is unique for this type of school.

A standout example of a student-led project is a virtual reality simulation developed by the learners for surgical nurse training. Similar to how flight simulators train pilots, the system is used to train nurses in surgical environments. Developed in collaboration with specialists to address the challenge of training nurses across Sweden's 24 regions, the project highlights how students are creating meaningful solutions that have a lasting impact.

Through its focus on technology, innovation, and inclusion, the school is setting the standard for how education can create long-term change. 30% of students are female, twice the average for technology programmes in Sweden. There are high levels of student satisfaction, with 9.7 out of 10 feeling comfortable and secure in the advanced technological environment. Students perform significantly better when they move on to university, often attributing this to being better prepared. In terms of employment, the school is a talent hub; often, students do not need to apply for jobs as businesses seek them out first. The school's strong reputation and innovative environment consistently attract top teacher applicants. The curriculum has been adopted by the national education authorities, and the model serves as a national standard.

By integrating AI into daily teaching and advancing technology skills, the school has successfully created an environment where innovation thrives and students can take control of projects that drive real impact in the world around them.