The General Secretariat of the Khalifa Education Award stressed the necessity of continuously enhancing the educational system in all its components to align with the scientific advancements happening in the world, especially in advanced technology fields and integrating artificial intelligence within educational processes.
It was mentioned that updating curricula, educational materials, and cultural content presented to students is essential to prepare them and equip future generations from an early age to keep pace with the developments in modern technology and artificial intelligence. This also includes dealing with the radical changes associated with it that affect the learning environment, which today primarily depends on artificial intelligence tools.
This meeting took place during the annual meeting in the month of Ramadan, held under the patronage of the Khalifa Education Award in the capital Abu Dhabi, under the theme “The Artificial Intelligence Revolution and its Implications on the Education Sector.” The meeting was attended by Mohammed Salem Al Zaheri, a member of the Award’s Board of Trustees, Amal Al Afifi, the Award’s Secretary-General, Dr. Suad Al Suwaidi, the Deputy Secretary-General, as well as members of the Award’s executive committee, academic presidents, educational specialists, and parents.
Amal Al Afifi emphasized the Award’s interest, through its objectives and presented topics, in promoting a culture of excellence and distinction in the educational field for both university and pre-university levels. The importance of this session lies in shedding light on the strong link between education and artificial intelligence, contributing to supporting the exchange of experiences and expertise according to the highest scientific standards in reality and application. The session aims to highlight the importance of artificial intelligence in improving the learning environment and the necessity of instilling advanced technical skills among youth and students, teaching them how to utilize these skills inside classrooms and in the education path in general.
Dr. Khaled Al Abri, a member of the Khalifa Award’s executive committee, highlighted through this group of specialists and professionals the significance of a major field in our modern lives, which is artificial intelligence that has become a key feature in daily existence worldwide.
Dr. Aref Al Hammadi, the Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, discussed the historical and scientific evolution of the concept of artificial intelligence since the mid-twentieth century, along with researchers’ efforts in inventing and improving artificial intelligence tools in various fields, especially in the industrial, technological, and diverse communication sectors, leading to the education sector, which is experiencing a qualitative leap today thanks to artificial intelligence applications.
Dr. Mohamed Al Loghani, the advisor to the President of Mohammed Bin Zayed University for Artificial Intelligence, pointed out that the UAE is among the leading countries in adopting innovation and modern technologies, including artificial intelligence technologies and smart systems, which are bringing significant changes in several areas, including education and the job market. With the rapid growth of these technological means, it is important to understand their impact on the future of education and the opportunities and challenges they bring. The focus in this context is on the challenges that the education sector may face and its capabilities to adapt to rapid technological changes. Regarding the job market, the discussion revolves around the impact of artificial intelligence on the nature of jobs and the desired skills, as well as how new job opportunities emerge due to the adoption of smart technologies.
Dr. Ibtisam Al Mazrouie, an expert in artificial intelligence and modern technologies, and also the founder of (AIE3), stated that artificial intelligence and the metaverse world have become important factors contributing to shaping the future of education in an era that witnesses a redefinition of education through technological advancement. She added that artificial intelligence plays a pivotal role in providing tailored and effective education, allowing each student to access educational experiences tailored to fit their abilities and specific requirements.
Dr. Mariam Al Yemahi, Assistant Professor at the Information Technology College at the University of the Emirates, mentioned that the expected contributions from integrating artificial intelligence in the education field could be enormous. It is also expected that this intelligence will change the ways in which
We pursue it in education and learning drastically, and there are no limits to that. With the continuous advancement of technology, the use of artificial intelligence in the education sector is expected to witness widespread and progressive developments, which will contribute to providing new horizons in this field. Hence, innovating a more interactive and effective educational experience, meeting students’ individual needs.
From her perspective, Dr. Khadija Al-Hamid, a professor and director of the Student Affairs Department at Rabdan Academy, stated that the current situation indicates that artificial intelligence plays a prominent role that is expected to have a significant impact on the future job market. It is likely to lead to profound transformations in job structures and industrial sectors. According to predictions from the World Economic Forum for 2023, around a quarter of the existing jobs, approximately 23%, will undergo fundamental changes within the next five years based on employers’ assessments.
At the end of the session, there was a discussion among the speakers and participants on how to enhance the role of schools, families, and the community in general in deepening understanding and cooperation with artificial intelligence technologies.
Mohammed Salem Al-Zaheri, Amal Al-Afifi, and Suad Al-Suwaidi appreciated the individuals who participated in the Ramadan session. The meeting also witnessed honoring the audience by distributing awards in appreciation of their contributions and engagement with the award’s activities.
