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Harnessing AI to Build a Sustainable Future: Integrating Blue Skills in Early Childhood Education

The “blue economy” is transforming maritime industries by emphasizing sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Valued at $1.5 trillion annually, with projections to double by 2030, it aligns closely with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly Goal 14, which focuses on preserving oceans and marine resources. As a Mediterranean nation with 15% of its GDP tied to maritime industries, Malta is uniquely positioned to lead in cultivating “blue skills”—the knowledge and principles necessary to harmonize economic growth with marine ecosystem preservation.

However, a critical skills gap exists in Malta’s maritime sector, partly due to limited investment in early maritime education. To address this, a new project aims to integrate blue skills into early childhood education (ECE) by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative will develop a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) platform designed to assist educators by providing tailored responses aligned with children’s educational levels.

The project follows a five-phase approach:

1. Conducting a nationwide survey among ECE educators to identify gaps in blue skills knowledge.
2. Building a specialized resource repository by blue economy and early childhood experts.
3. Developing a Large Language Model (LLM) powered by the RAG platform to provide educators with real-time guidance.
4. Training a sample of educators on using the platform in classrooms.
5. Validating the platform’s effectiveness to prepare for broader implementation.

This innovative initiative is more than an educational tool—it’s a step toward addressing the maritime skills gap, fostering sustainable economic growth, and enhancing quality of life in Malta. By aligning with global sustainability goals and adopting a human-centric Industry 5.0 approach, this project highlights how interdisciplinary research and AI can drive knowledge-driven development for a better future.