Launching micro:bit CreateAI, the new tool to explore and make AI through movement and machine learning
Designed for teaching and learning, with micro:bit CreateAI your students can develop an AI-powered piece of tech from scratch in 90 minutes!
We’re adding artificial intelligence (AI) to the BBC micro:bit. micro:bit CreateAI is a free web-based tool that allows your students to combine AI with coding in Microsoft MakeCode. Use the BBC micro:bit to collect your real movement data, and feed that into CreateAI to train, test and improve your own machine learning (ML) model. You can then run the model on your micro:bit and take the model into MakeCode to create your own program, that you can download onto the micro:bit and use anywhere.
Support for classrooms
micro:bit CreateAI has been developed with educators in mind. It has been tested with teachers to develop an easy-to-use experience, and provide a simple tool to help students learn more about what AI is and how it works.
It’s free to use, with no login required. Alongside the web-based tool, we are providing free resources to support teachers and anyone who wants to use CreateAI:
We’re also hosting free webinars to demo and introduce CreateAI, which you can now register for:
- Webinars
- 11 December 2024, 1700 GMT
- 21 January 2025, 1700 GMT
You can find everything you need at the micro:bit and AI homepage.
Developed for teaching and learning
micro:bit CreateAI is an evolution of Aarhus University’s ML-Machine, which was rolled out successfully to schools as part of the Ultra:bit campaign in Denmark with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation.
We adapted ML-Machine for use in English-speaking schools in the UK as part of the BBC next gen campaign in 2023-24. The BBC playground survey was conducted in early 2024, where 8 – 11-year-old children participated in machine learning activities as part of a UK-wide campaign. They explored how to train and test an ML model using the micro:bit and their own live data, then loaded a model that had been pre-tested with movement data from children, to measure their activity in the playground.
Now, CreateAI has been updated to include a new integrated coding feature, as we worked closely with Microsoft MakeCode to develop a seamless journey from training the model to using it in code. So students can not only see how their live data impacts an ML model, but they can also code their own programs, to create an AI-powered piece of tech in two classroom lessons!
Using machine learning to learn about AI
AI is fast becoming part of our daily lives, and will be a big part of children’s futures. Helping students understand what AI is, how it works, how people contribute to creating it, and its benefits and ethical implications, is vital to prepare them for their digital futures. Building this AI literacy could also inspire some to play a positive role in shaping the future of AI.
Machine learning
CreateAI uses machine learning (ML), a type of AI in which computers can learn to make decisions based on data. ML is a good place to start developing skills of AI literacy because it can be simplified to allow younger students to learn more about how AI works.
Data literacy
Data is also essential for AI tools. By understanding the challenges of collecting, collating and analysing data we can learn about the limits and capabilities of AI systems, their biases, and the ethical implications of developing and using them.
Concrete learning
With micro:bit CreateAI, you can program a micro:bit to recognise and respond to your movements, like clapping, waving, dancing or jumping. You can see how your own movement data works in machine learning and AI. In doing so, you can extend learning about data literacy, AI literacy and algorithms, and explore wider topics such as the ethics and wider impacts of AI technology.
Because you can code the micro:bit to run machine learning models, away from a computer, you can take your creation anywhere. This means you can make AI physical and use it in situations that everyone can relate to.
Wear your micro:bit anywhere
To help you move with your micro:bit, we have also developed the micro:bit wearable. This accessory allows you to conveniently attach a BBC micro:bit and battery pack to anything - your wrist, ankle, a toy, a playground swing, wherever your coding takes you.
This accessory includes a flexible holder, to enclose the micro:bit and battery pack, and a hook-and-loop fastening strap, which feeds through the holder, and allows attachment.
The micro:bit wearable can be purchased as singles or in packs of 10. You can pre-order from 20 November 2024, with shipping scheduled from December 2024.
Explore and make with micro:bit CreateAI
There’s more to come in 2025, as we continue to work on translating CreateAI and the resources, and develop more educational pathways and supporting lesson plans.
Get creative with it! We would love to see how you use it in your classrooms, so share your stories with us on social media @microbit_edu #microbit
