Exploring AI with Minecraft Education in Honor of Safer Internet Day

AI technology is weaving its way into everyday life—whether we’re at home, in the office, at school, or anywhere in between. According to the latest findings from the Microsoft Global Online Safety Survey, 2024 has seen a significant jump in the number of people getting hands-on with generative AI. We’ve observed that the percentage of folks either using or experimenting with this tech has jumped to 51% from 38% in 2023. Gen Z is spearheading this tech movement, with 64% of young adults reporting they’ve tried their hand at it. For those of us working in tech and gaming, it’s crucial we guide these digital natives in navigating AI’s complex landscape safely, all the while encouraging their curiosity and creativity.

In light of this, Minecraft Education is set to unveil a fresh chapter in the CyberSafe series for Safer Internet Day 2025, offering an engaging exploration of AI’s risks and potential via interactive, game-based challenges. This new addition, CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper, invites players to delve into safe, responsible AI use and is freely available on both the Minecraft Marketplace and within Minecraft Education.

In this latest downloadable content (DLC), players step into the shoes of a student planning a school fundraiser. As they explore how AI could streamline the creation of 3D-printed animals they’ve been crafting in their STEM lab, they confront the typical hurdles and risks associated with using AI tools creatively. The game emphasizes the importance of verifying AI outputs with other credible information sources. While players won’t directly interact with generative AI within the DLC, they’ll tackle challenges that mimic real-world AI use, gaining insights into responsible practices. This immersive journey sharpens critical awareness, highlighting both the positive and negative ways AI impacts everyday life.

Carlos Figueiredo, Mojang Studios’ Director of Player Safety, shares his enthusiasm: “At the heart of AI is human ingenuity. This presents an excellent chance to arm educators, kids, and families with the know-how to use AI responsibly, enhancing creativity and its positive global impact. I’m thrilled to continue building on the success of our CyberSafe content, which has already engaged millions of players across the globe.”

CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper deepens the impact of the CyberSafe DLC series. Available at no cost on the Minecraft Marketplace and within Minecraft Education, this series has been pivotal in teaching players vital digital citizenship skills, such as password protection, data privacy, and tackling online bullying. The previous initiative, Good Game, sparked creativity among young players, inspiring them to develop in-game codes of conduct. Thanks to a collaboration between Xbox and Minecraft, the CyberSafe series has surpassed 80 million downloads since 2022.

With Dig Deeper, players will uncover critical queries to consider when interacting with AI or AI-produced content, cultivating a savvy approach to these systems. In essence, the experience demonstrates that despite AI’s impressive capabilities, it requires human oversight to ensure safe and constructive operation. Additionally, the accompanying Minecraft Family Cyber Toolkit offers further assistance for navigating the CyberSafe DLC series.

For more family gaming resources and tips, swing by xbox.com/family. Discover all Xbox has to offer for families, including privacy information, access to privacy tools, the Xbox Family Settings app, and Community Standards.

For those interested in Microsoft’s stance on AI-generated content risks and additional insights, check out Microsoft’s Safer Internet Day 2025 blog, which expands on the Global Online Survey Results.