A new wave of AI education focuses on teaching students to create with artificial intelligence rather than passively consume it. Imagi, an edtech platform founded by educators, just secured $4.5 million in seed funding to expand its curriculum around coding, computer skills, and AI literacy for K-12 students. The company has already worked with more than 700,000 students across 140 countries, signaling growing demand for hands-on AI education in schools.

Why Are Schools Rethinking How Students Learn AI?

The debate over AI in classrooms has centered on safety and whether technology should replace human teachers. Imagi's approach sidesteps that argument by positioning AI as a tool students should learn to wield, not fear. Dora Palfi, co-founder of Imagi, explained the philosophy behind the platform's design. "Rather than worrying about students cheating or regressing with AI, the education system has to adjust to the reality," she stated. "Most kids already use AI, but we need to teach children to build with AI rather than just passively consume it".

This perspective reflects a practical reality: AI is already reshaping job markets these students will enter. Schools, Palfi noted, are often the best place to teach this technology because not every student has access to AI tools at home. By integrating AI education into the curriculum, schools can level the playing field and ensure all students develop foundational skills with emerging technology.

How Does Imagi's Platform Keep Students Safe While Learning AI?

Safety is built into every layer of Imagi's system. The platform screens every prompt and response generated by its AI tools, removing violations before they reach students. The company is also fully compliant with major privacy regulations, including the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Critically, there is zero data retention, and Imagi's partners do not train on student data and activity.

The platform's safety measures extend beyond technical guardrails. Imagi trains teachers on how to use AI, coding, and computational tools so they can teach these subjects confidently to their students. This teacher-focused support acknowledges that educators need guidance to integrate unfamiliar technology into their classrooms effectively.

What Real-World Projects Are Students Building?

Imagi's partnership with Lovable, a vibe-coding tool, allows teachers to create lessons and give students controlled access to build applications. The results show what becomes possible when students have structured access to AI development tools. One teacher used the platform to build an app that translated her entire curriculum into 15 languages spoken in her classroom. Another student created a website to promote his lawn-mowing business, complete with a booking calendar that integrates directly into the site.

These examples illustrate the practical value of teaching students to build with AI. Rather than completing abstract assignments, students solve real problems and create tangible products. This hands-on approach makes AI literacy concrete and immediately relevant to their lives.

Steps to Integrate AI Literacy Into Your School's Curriculum

• Assess Teacher Readiness: Evaluate whether your teaching staff feels confident using AI tools. Professional development and training programs should come before rolling out student-facing AI platforms.
• Choose Privacy-Compliant Platforms: Verify that any AI education tool complies with COPPA, FERPA, GDPR, and other relevant regulations. Confirm that student data is not retained or used for training purposes.
• Start With Structured Projects: Begin with guided, real-world projects rather than open-ended AI exploration. Students benefit from clear objectives, like building a website or creating a translated resource.
• Partner With AI Experts and Educators: Collaborate with both AI developers and experienced educators to design curricula that are both technically sound and pedagogically effective.

What Does This Funding Mean for AI Education's Future?

Imagi's $4.5 million seed round, backed by investors including Brighteye Ventures, Day One Capital, and artist Will.i.am, signals confidence in the market for AI literacy education. The company plans to use the capital to scale into more K-12 schools, expand district sales, hire additional staff, build new product features, and launch a new platform. OpenAI's earlier contribution of $1 million in credits also demonstrates institutional support for making AI education accessible to schools that might otherwise lack resources.

The timing is significant. As AI becomes embedded in more industries and professions, schools that teach students to build with these tools rather than simply use them will likely produce graduates better prepared for the workforce. Imagi's approach, which emphasizes safety, teacher training, and real-world application, offers a model for how AI education can be deployed responsibly at scale.