As AI continues to be integrated into daily life – at home, at work, in schools, and everywhere in between – the need for safe and responsible use grows. The latest findings from Microsoft’s Global Online Safety Survey highlight a surge in the use of generative AI, with 51% of people having engaged with the technology in 2024, up from 38% in 2023. Generation Z is leading this shift, with 64% of young adults reporting having used generative AI. Given this rapid adoption, it’s crucial for those in tech and gaming to ensure that younger generations have the tools to explore AI safely while nurturing their creativity.
To mark Safer Internet Day 2025, Minecraft Education introduces a new chapter in its CyberSafe series, encouraging players to explore AI’s risks and benefits through engaging, game-based challenges. In this update, players will learn how to safely and responsibly use AI technology. CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper is now available for free on the Minecraft Marketplace and Minecraft Education.
Navigating Real-world AI Challenges Safely
In this new DLC, players take on the role of a student organizing a fundraiser for their school. They explore how AI can assist in creating 3D-printed animals for their STEM class project. As they experiment with AI’s potential, they encounter common challenges, such as the technology producing unexpected results. This experience teaches them that AI outputs must be cross-checked with reliable sources. While players do not directly interact with generative AI in this DLC, they will solve challenges that simulate AI use, fostering an understanding of how to navigate the technology responsibly. The aim is to help players realize that AI can be used both positively and negatively in the real world, encouraging critical thinking about its role in their lives.
Carlos Figueiredo, Director of Player Safety at Mojang Studios, shares: “At the heart of AI is human creativity. This provides a unique opportunity to equip educators, kids, and families with the knowledge and skills to engage with AI safely, ensuring its positive impact on creativity and the world.” Figueiredo adds, “I’m thrilled to continue the momentum of our CyberSafe content, which has already reached millions of players globally.”
Building AI Literacy and Critical Skills
CyberSafe AI: Dig Deeper builds on the success of previous CyberSafe DLCs that have empowered players to learn key digital skills like privacy protection, secure passwords, and how to handle online harassment. Past releases like Good Game inspired young players to establish in-game codes of conduct. Through a partnership between Xbox and Minecraft, the CyberSafe series has been downloaded over 80 million times since 2022.
This new DLC will guide players in asking the right questions when interacting with AI-generated content and will help them understand how to use these systems safely and thoughtfully. The experience emphasizes that while AI has impressive capabilities, it still requires human intelligence and oversight to function safely and constructively. The Minecraft Family Cyber Toolkit offers additional guidance for families navigating the CyberSafe DLC series.
For more information on family-friendly gaming, visit xbox.com/family. Learn about privacy settings, access to the Xbox Family Settings app, and community standards.
To explore more about the Microsoft Global Online Safety Survey Results and the efforts to address the risks of abusive AI-generated content, visit Microsoft’s Safer Internet Day 2025 blog.