How Alfie uses AI
Last updated: 2026-09-30.
This page explains how Alfie uses AI. Our terms and privacy policy set out the agreements on using Alfie and how we handle your data. We keep this page up to date as Alfie or the rules change.
1. What Alfie is for
Alfie helps teachers create activities such as short tests, flashcards and card games. Your learning objectives, instructions, notes and sources provide the starting point. As the teacher, you check and edit the material and decide what your pupils, students or other learners receive.
2. Autonomy and transparency
We want you to understand how Alfie uses AI and data. That is why we explain how we work, discuss risks with educators and policymakers, and follow the relevant rules.
Our privacy policy explains what information we process, where it goes and what rights you have. For example, you can ask to access, correct or delete your personal data. The policy also explains how to make a request and which exceptions may apply.
We do not develop features to monitor learners, grade or assess their work, or decide on their admission, placement or level. These uses can affect privacy and may lead to bias and discrimination. We also do not develop features for creating deepfakes or images of real people. You may not use Alfie to impersonate someone else and mislead others. This is set out in our terms.
3. Which AI systems Alfie uses
Alfie combines AI models from service providers with our own teaching instructions, templates and checks. We do not currently train our own large language models. We use Google Gemini through Vertex AI to generate text and images. If this service fails, we can fall back on fal.ai for images and OpenRouter for text.
The model we use depends on the task, the quality needed and availability. We stay within the providers listed here and the agreements that apply. Our agreements with schools may further restrict which options we can use.
We aim to process as much data as possible within the EU. Our database and your files are stored in the EU. Some processing for AI and other services also takes place outside the EU. In section 7 of the privacy policy, you can read where each provider processes data and which safeguards apply.
4. Limitations you should know about
AI can make mistakes, use outdated information or reproduce bias. Please check the material before using it. It may resemble material created by other users and may not be protected by copyright. Alfie does not check the sources you add for accuracy, personal data or other people's rights.
5. How you know you are working with AI
In Alfie, we make it clear that you are working with an AI assistant. Both the material Alfie creates and the replies in the chat are generated by AI.
We are looking into the rules for machine-readable AI markings. These are technical features that allow software to recognise AI-generated content. We are examining what the rules mean for material created with Alfie and will use that assessment to determine which markings are needed. Once this is clear, we will update this page.
6. Alfie and the EU AI Act
The EU AI Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1689) sets requirements for the use of AI. Some educational uses fall into its 'high-risk' category. These include systems that decide on admission, evaluate learning outcomes, determine educational level or monitor learners during tests.
Alfie is not intended for those uses. Based on its current use, we therefore do not treat Alfie as a high-risk system. We do have obligations to explain clearly how we use AI. This page and the explanations in the app help you understand that.
If we want to add features for those high-risk uses in the future, we will first reassess which requirements apply to Alfie.
7. Questions
Do you have questions or concerns about how Alfie uses AI? You are welcome to email us at team@alfie.school.