I traveled to Doha in November to participate in the eleventh WISE (World Innovation Summit for Education) Summit organized by the Qatar Foundation. This year’s summit focused on educational artificial intelligence, with a final session titled “AI for the Common Good,” which I moderated. The panelists included:
- HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jaber al-Nuaimi, Minister of Education and Higher Education of Qatar.
- HE Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, former President of Croatia (2015-2020) and a member of the International Olympic Committee.
- Jörg Dräger, a scientist and the executive director of the Kühne Foundation’s committee.
- Lihui Zhang, Executive President of Caixin Media.
- Mona Diab, Director of the Language Technologies Institute at Carnegie Mellon University.
Discussions at the summit revolved around various topics such as the future of work, mathematical education, misinformation, and the role of chatbot tutors. Here are some key insights from the discussions:
HE Buthaina bint Ali al-Jaber al-Nuaimi highlighted Qatar’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into education through national AI syllabi in schools and e-learning programs. The aim is to enhance learning and collaboration between educational institutions and businesses.
HE Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović emphasized the importance of international cooperation in developing and regulating AI, stressing the need for rules and guidelines at the global level to prevent misuse and ensure ethical AI practices.
Jörg Dräger discussed the significance of personalized AI-based education beyond traditional white-collar jobs, emphasizing the need to address competencies and skills across diverse sectors to benefit a wider range of individuals.
Lihui Zhang shared insights on using AI to combat misinformation, highlighting the role of fact-checking and professional journalism in aligning information with accuracy and reliability.
Mona Diab discussed the potential of AI in aiding Arabic speakers access information in different languages through advanced translation technologies.
The panelists also delved into the future of AI, touching upon topics such as AI regulation, the impact of AI on education and work dynamics, and the role of emotional intelligence in learning.
Overall, the discussions underscored the transformative potential of AI in education and society while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations, regulatory frameworks, and inclusive practices in leveraging AI for the common good.
