Doha recently hosted the 11th edition of the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE 2023), concluding with discussions centered around “Unleashing Creativity: Empowering Human Potential in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”. WISE 2023 Summit AI Education.
The two-day summit brought together nearly 7,000 participants, including thought leaders, policymakers, and young innovators, to delve into the implications of AI on global education.
The summit highlighted collaborative efforts in tackling complex educational challenges, revealing findings on 7 global research projects covering diverse topics like the impact of educational festivals on skill-building and community enhancement, the correlation between teacher and student well-being and educational pathways, and education and employment for individuals with disabilities.
Keynote speaker Conrad Wolfram, co-founder and CEO of Wolfram Research in Europe, emphasized the critical importance of computational thinking in educational environments in the AI era. He highlighted the interplay between mathematics study and computational methods to enhance critical thinking and creativity, advocating for prioritizing computational tools in education to address real-world challenges.
Nina Schick, one of the first international experts in generative AI, noted during the closing day sessions that the world is undergoing a transformation in human evolution. She remarked, “Machines are on the verge of profoundly changing our lifestyle, work methods, and even our understanding of being human.”
Mark Owen Jones, Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, discussed the educational system challenges in identifying and countering misinformation in his lecture “Critical Thinking in the Digital Age: AI, Information Literacy, and the Fight Against Misinformation.” His talk included an analysis of media bias, particularly in the context of ongoing events in Palestine and Gaza, and raised essential questions about information literacy and educational infrastructures.
The “Education Above All” foundation, a strategic partner of WISE 2023, hosted a public session focused on solutions and initiatives for educational recovery in Gaza, exploring digital data access and technologies in conflict-affected communities.
Another session, “AI for the Greater Good,” examined the collective impact of AI applications in research, education, policy, media, and philanthropy, and their role in nurturing the next generation of leaders capable of tackling challenges.
Qatar’s Minister of Education and Higher Education, Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, highlighted Qatar’s ongoing efforts and future plans to integrate AI into its educational system. She stated, “Qatar is among the first nations to adopt national AI curriculums from kindergarten to 12th grade, aiming to prepare students for an increasingly AI-driven job market.”
A discussion panel titled “Empowering the Global South: Building Capacity for Self-Determination” featured participants like Yasser Bashir, senior advisor for digital transformation at Qatar Museums, and Nariman Mostafa from the Brookings Institution. The session explored ways for the Global South to play a more influential role in shaping AI discourse, maintaining community safety, and ensuring individual autonomy amid growing automation trends.
This year’s summit witnessed over 300 local and international experts participating in more than 200 sessions, addressing various topics aimed at tackling educational challenges and sharing practical insights into learning and AI technologies.
For more information, visit dzwatch.net, WISE 2023 Summit AI Education
