Edwin Naidu
Several high-profile speakers will arrive in Doha, Qatar, this week for the 2023 World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) Summit; a global platform for innovation in education.
Established by the Qatar Foundation, this year’s WISE meeting is held under the pertinent theme “Creative Fluency: Human Flourishing in the Age of AI”. In the realm of education, the theme encourages stakeholders to thoughtfully integrate AI to enhance learning, stimulate creativity, and prepare the next generation for a future closely intertwined with AI.
The packed line-up for the 11th WISE Summit includes Rawaa Augé, Presenter, Al Jazeera, Jeffrey Sachs, University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development, Columbia University, Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan, Hayfa Al Abdulla, Innovation Director, Qatar Foundation, and Jason Czyz, Co-President, Institute of International Education.
Scheduled for 28-29 November 2023 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) in Doha, WISE 11 promises a unique blend of insights and interactions. In particular, the Summit will look at the emergence of Artificial Intelligence and the ways it is challenging traditional views on creativity and raising important questions about the future of education. The Summit will also encourage the WISE community to explore topics like computational literacy, personalised learning, AI-integrated teaching approaches, and equity issues in emerging educational technologies worldwide.
Of particular interest to teachers around the world, is a panel discussion on ‘Classrooms of the Future: Will AI Necessitate a Fundamental Rethink of Teaching and Learning?’ In addition, panels will consider roadmaps for charting the future of education as well as digital sovereignty as it related to AI.
With Artificial Intelligence dominating debate in the tertiary education sector, many believe it can revolutionise education, including widening access and inclusion for underserved youths. However, the ethical considerations of AI, and the potential it has to contribute to discrimination, inequality, and exclusion must not be overlooked – and will be the basis of one of the panel discussions.
Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of WISE, says WISE 11 is a dedicated space where the intersection of human creativity and artificial intelligence will be thoroughly examined.
“We’re bringing together leading experts, educators, and innovators from around the world to work hand-in-hand, ensuring that our approach to AI in education centers around the betterment of human lives”.
The Qatar Foundation says the WISE Summit remains a beacon for innovation and intellectual discourse in education. The Foundation believe’s this year’s theme aligns perfectly with its mission of cultivating a culture of lifelong learning and creativity. “We are honoured to host this pivotal event that resonates with our vision of empowering individuals to adapt and excel in a dynamically evolving world,” says the Foundation.
The authors of WISE Research will also present their latest reports addressing critical education issues around the globe, and propose action-oriented recommendations and policy guidance for stakeholders in the education industry.
Throughout its time, WISE has contributed to the creation of a vibrant community with more than 50,000 members across 140 countries, engagement of over 3,000 international attendees in 2019, participation of over 2,000 in-person delegates and 11,000+ online participants in the 2021 Edition, and expanding the reach of WISE to cities such as Tunis, Beijing, Madrid, Accra, New York City, Paris, and Medellin since 2016.
Global leaders, such as Michelle Obama, Julia Gillard, and Gordon Brown, have addressed platforms at WISE.
This 11th edition brings together educators, tech pioneers, AI ethicists, and students for collaborative discussions and diverse sessions, featuring high-level local and international stakeholders.
The summit will address pivotal topics, including:
● Scaling for Equity and Access
● Envisioning the Classrooms of the Future
● Aligning Higher Education with an AI-Driven Job Market
● Building Ethical AI Systems
● Preserving AI and Digital Sovereignty.
WISE is set to welcome an audience of around 1,200 delegates attending throughout the day, with up to 2,200 participants expected for the opening and closing sessions.
Inside Education is a media partner at WISE 2023 and will be reporting on proceedings.
INSIDE EDUCATION
