Austria's schools to prioritize AI over Latin in major 2027 curriculum overhaul
Austria's education minister, Christoph Wiederkehr, has proposed major changes to upper secondary school curricula starting in autumn 2027. The reforms include expanding computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) education while reducing Latin teaching hours. However, critics argue the current computer science programme is already outdated and poorly structured.
Under the new plan, students in their final years of AHS (academic secondary schools) would see Latin cut from three hours to two per week. The freed-up time would go toward a strengthened Informatik und Künstliche Intelligenz (Computer Science and AI) curriculum, with an extra hour dedicated to AI topics.
Teachers currently instructing Digitale Grundbildung (Digital Literacy) would shift to the updated subject, receiving additional training in AI fundamentals and technical principles. Meanwhile, a brand-new course, Medien und Demokratie (Media and Democracy), is set to launch—but its teaching staff remain undecided. Further teacher training for this subject is planned, with implementation expected by the 2027/28 school year.
The reforms have sparked debate. Opponents highlight the existing computer science curriculum's flaws, calling it outdated and failing to build real understanding. Others point to a shortage of qualified teachers in both digital literacy and computer science, raising concerns about the feasibility of the changes.
If approved, the reforms would take effect in autumn 2027, reshaping upper secondary education in Austria. Latin would lose an hour per week, while AI and media studies gain prominence. The success of the plan, however, depends on addressing teacher shortages and updating the current computer science framework.
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