Anyone can explore AI in the new Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI

The future needs our help!

In Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI, students venture through time to create AI-powered inventions. They activate problem-solving skills, creativity, and computational thinking to explore Responsible AI principles. Through MakeCode blocks or Python coding, Hour of Code allows anyone to learn the basics of coding and discover ways to build better AI for all.

The journey starts with an unexpected visit from the Agent, the player’s in-game coding companion, who comes with an urgent mission. The Agent will guide your students through a series of future scenarios where they fix eccentric AI inventions. Throughout the challenges, learners resolve issues around fairness and discrimination, reliability and safety, and more as they progress toward the finale. No spoilers here, but when you start toying with time travel, things get a little loopy.

Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI won’t just inspire students to learn coding basics. It will also drive thoughtful discussions about the ethical implications of coding and AI development. Learners will apply programming concepts to discover algorithmic thinking and problem decomposition, all important skills for creating AI systems.

We’ve made it easy to run an Hour of Code

Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI is available in Minecraft Education as a free demo lesson. That means you don’t need a login or official license from your school to download and access the world.

We designed this tutorial for students aged 7–18 to learn the basics of coding, how to use AI helpfully, the principles of responsible AI, and why programming requires them to be safe, fair, and inclusive. By exploring these ideas, they’ll understand the importance of privacy, fairness, and accountability.

Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI also features time-based accomplishments. To enhance engagement and build a sense of achievement, the tutorial empowers students to accomplish at least one rewarding coding task in a 45-minute timeframe.

Educator support materials including a facilitation guide and online training can help you lead the experience. The game world also features plenty of hints and guidance for self-directed learners.

Watch our overview video to get your bearings in the world of Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI.

Get ready for CS Ed Week

Computer Science Education Week is December 4–10, and it’s the perfect opportunity to run an Hour of Code. Get ready to help your students join the global Code.org movement with these three easy steps.

1. Download Minecraft Education and run through Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI yourself. You can find the lesson in the in-game library or as a free demo lesson available here.
2. Register for a free webinar on November 16: Transform Computer Science Teaching and Culture with Minecraft Education.
3. Join classrooms worldwide on December 6th during Computer Science Education Week for our Hour of Code: Drop Everything and Code live event! Connect with us to explore the Hour of Code lesson alongside Minecraft experts and streamers.
4. Sign up to join a free Minecraft and Flip event on Dec 7 featuring robotics technologist Kamak Ebadi from the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. HIs incredible journey, from a 14-year-old dreaming of NASA in Iran to working with the renowned space agency. His story promises to ignite the dreams of every student and aspiring space enthusiast. He will also discuss the power of coding in shaping future careers and share about NASA's Artemis missions.

An Hour of Code is just the first step

Hour of Code is a great way to get students interested in computer science, but it doesn’t stop there. Minecraft Education offers more than 200 hours of content designed for K–12 learners and aligned with Code.org and CSTA standards. If you’d like support with teaching computer science, there’s even a helpful online training to get you up to speed.

For more Hour of Code Fun, travel back in time to previous tutorials, available through Code.org and as free Minecraft Education demos.

Every student deserves opportunities to explore AI technology so they can understand its implications, access career pathways, and feel empowered to safely and confidently navigate an AI-powered world. Get started with Minecraft Hour of Code: Generation AI today!