The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), through its digital services unit FCCN, launched the IAedu, a new digital service that aims to democratize access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the context of higher education and scientific research in Portugal.
This pilot project, presented at the FCCN Conferences held from May 6th to 8th in Coimbra, aims to promote a equitable, safe and efficient use of Artificial Intelligence in higher education, through the free, centralized access to large-scale language models (LLM), in its Pro version, with federated authentication. Like other FCT digital services, such as b-on or the Colibri, IAedu saves resources and time by providing a centrally funded service applicable to multiple academic and scientific contexts.
In addition to the web interface, IAedu also provides direct access to AI models through APIs, allowing national researchers and development teams to integrate LLMs into applications tailored to their scientific, pedagogical or institutional needs.
This pilot project, developed in partnership with Microsoft Portugal, is in continuous evolution, allowing in the future to integrate services provided by any commercial or open access service (e.g., new LLMs developed by the national scientific community).
The second edition of the platform, scheduled for release before the summer, will include a feature for creating custom virtual agents. Using knowledge bases provided by users, it will also be possible to configure thematic assistants to support curricular units, academic or scientific services, among other applications. These agents can be made available to previously defined user groups or the community at large, creating new possibilities for personalization and knowledge dissemination.
IAedu is available to all entities in the RCTS network (Science, Technology and Society Network) that subscribe to the service, with free access and subject to a responsible use policy. Data entered by users—including content submitted by researchers and students—will not be used to train or improve any AI model. The FCT ensures the confidentiality and protection of information, in accordance with best practices and applicable standards.
This new project is part of the FCT portfolio, which already provides more than 25 digital services dedicated to education, science, technology and knowledge in Portugal. Within the context of the FCT's strategy for Artificial Intelligence, IAedu represents a new area of activity for its digital services, complementing other essential areas already underway. Of note are the funding of AI personnel and projects, the free provision of high-performance computing infrastructures (namely Deucalion and MareNostrum5), and the promotion of the reuse of open scientific data through the National Open Research Data Program. These initiatives and the resources mentioned are funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan, as part of the measure RE-C05-i08 More Digital Science, contracted between the FCT and the Recover Portugal Mission Structure.
Institutions interested in joining this pilot project can do so through membership form available on the IAedu platform.
