AI–Forward. Artificial Intelligence for Language Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

Born out of the Winter School and the Spring Days on Artificial Intelligence for Language Learning, Teaching and Assessment at the University for Foreigners of Perugia in 2026, and convened in cooperation with ALTE, the Association of Language Testers in Europe, within the framework of the MUR TNE IMPACT project, this volume brings together the voices of scholars, teachers, researchers, policymakers, and language assessment specialists from across Europe. Opening with a foreword by Luciano Floridi on the "languages of information", the book unfolds in four parts, guiding the reader from policy and conceptual frameworks (ALTE, the ECML, INDIRE, and the European Commission) through institutional implementation in educational ecosystems, to concrete tools, applications, and case studies-web apps, chatbots, automated item generation, and interactive lesson platforms-before closing with a human-centred reflection on the future of language education and publishing in the age of Al. One red thread runs through every contribution: Al as augmentation, never as a substitute for the teacher. Not "replacing" but "re-placing" the human: putting professional judgement, critical thinking, ethical awareness, and clear pedagogical goals back at the centre. The volume can be read as both a snapshot of the state of the art and an invitation to ask not only what Al can do, but what it should do, for teachers, researchers, and policymakers seeking to navigate, with awareness and purpose, a transformation already underway. These reflections are included in the "Al-Forward Declaration 2026", jointly issued by ALTE and the CVCL of the University for Foreigners of Perugia, following the reflections and comments of speakers and policymakers, as well as the conclusions of the Round Tables.