From lifelong learning to sustainable CALL: Rethinking language education through AI-mediated learning

In the context of global educational transformations, this contribution explores the intersection of sustainability, digital innovation, and language pedagogy, with a focus on e-learning and AI-driven tools. Building on ecological models of sustainable education, it examines how technology can be meaningfully integrated into language teaching to foster inclusivity, accessibility, and long-term pedagogical impact. The case of AIDI (AI per l’apprendimento e il Dialogo in Italiano), a CEFR-aligned AI chatbot for Italian L2 learners developed by a research group at the University for Foreigners of Perugia, is presented as a paradigmatic example of sustainable digital language learning. Through dialogic, contextual scenarios and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, AIDI enables personalized, scalable, and learner-centered experiences. The study underscores the role of AI in promoting deep learning, educational equity, and digital resilience, aligning language education with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.