Leaders in advanced technology and global philanthropy came together in Abu Dhabi to emphasise how artificial intelligence adoption and major investment in underserved communities can play a critical role in raising education standards "for every child in the world".
Major technology companies set out their vision to integrate AI in the classroom to prepare students for the workplace of tomorrow at the World Schools Summit on Saturday.
The conference – which concludes on Sunday – was also told how a multimillion dollar investment in schools in Africa would prove to a "great equaliser" in the drive for education equality.
Google said its aim was to reach 2.3 million youth, teachers and caregivers by 2028 in the Middle East and North Africa region, improve online safety, AI literacy and readiness.
As part of $25m funding since 2019, the company announced it was committing $5.5m to three non-profit organisations – Injaz Al Arab, Inco and Chance, to improve AI literacy, advanced skills and online safety for learners across the region and in the UAE.
Injaz Al Arab in collaboration with Google empowers youth across the MENA region with education initiatives in the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Inco’s work covers about 140 countries aiming to advance equal access to economic opportunity by skilling the workforce and Chance empowers underprivileged children.
Microsoft said it planned to bring AI skills to 1 million people as part of $15.2bn investment in UAE by 2030.
The Children's Investment Fund Foundation that focuses on improving lives of children in Africa told of a $45.5m investment to keep children in school in Kenya and Nigeria.
Chance to transform education
Ben Gomes, Google’s chief technologist for learning and sustainability who helped develop the company’s search engine, spoke of the opportunity to transform education with AI.
“We want to really emphasise the role of the teacher and to support that magic that happens when a teacher and a student connect,” he said.
Mr Gomes urged teachers to connect with him with feedback highlighting systems that worked.
“I do think this is the moment where there is a tremendous challenge and opportunity, but the opportunity will be unlocked by folks like you through innovation,” he told the gathered policymakers, heads of schools and teachers.
“I think the major challenge is adoption, getting people to try things out. The longer term challenge is transformation and actually figuring out how to transform the education system.”
Patrick O’Steen, director K-12 partnerships and community at Microsoft Elevate, said the company aimed to bring essential AI skills to 1 million people across the UAE by 2030.
“Through new partnerships with leading educational institutions, non-profit organisations, and government entities, Microsoft will deliver essential training, and credentials to students, teachers, and government employees across the UAE,” he told the conference.
“In collaboration with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and G42, Microsoft is launching specialised AI courses, leadership development programmes and technical graduate skill tracks to build future ready workforce.”
He said this was part of Microsoft's $15.2 billion investment in the UAE and within its commitment to train 20 million people across the world with AI skills over the next two years.
The Microsoft Elevate initiative in the UAE aims to equip pupils, teachers and government employees with artificial intelligence skills through training,
Eunice Ogolo, director girl capital, Africa of the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation Africa, said the $45.5 million investment would improve the learning of 350,000 children in schools in Kenya and Nigeria.
“Education is at the centre of transforming the lives of girls and young women, safeguarding them and raising their potential,” she said. “We do believe that education is a great equaliser in the force for good and education breaks the cycle of poverty.”
Celebrating collaboration
An annual gathering, the World Schools Summit is in its second year and is hosted by T4 Education, Aldar Education and the Emirates Foundation.
“We’re all here with the same purpose, we want to make sure that every single child in the world has a better standard of education – that is a very powerful motive that grounds us on a daily basis,” said Vikas Pota, founder of T4 Education that connects teachers from about 100 countries.
Sahar Cooper, chief education officer of Aldar Education said while AI was breaking barriers and expanding access to learning, the future would not be shaped only by technology.
“AI can provide answers but it cannot inspire a student. It cannot celebrate curiosity or guide someone through failure,” she said.
“As millions of jobs transform under the force of AI, our responsibility as educators is to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit, nurture bold leaders and equip every learner to turn challenges into opportunities.”
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
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Company%C2%A0profile
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Fixtures
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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Aguero 1', 44', 61'
Arsenal 1
Koscielny 11'
Man of the match: Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
Profile of Foodics
Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani
Based: Riyadh
Sector: Software
Employees: 150
Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing
Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.
The%20Roundup
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Company profile
Company name: Dharma
Date started: 2018
Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: TravelTech
Funding stage: Pre-series A
Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Zidane's managerial achievements
La Liga: 2016/17
Spanish Super Cup: 2017
Uefa Champions League: 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18
Uefa Super Cup: 2016, 2017
Fifa Club World Cup: 2016, 2017
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Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
Company%C2%A0profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
