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Can education truly be a beacon of hope and change in the midst of a crisis? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink its utility? In this special episode of WISE On Air, we sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, a renowned economist and advocate for sustainable development, to explore this pivotal question. As we navigate through the complexities of ongoing conflicts like in Gaza and the far-reaching impacts of the AI revolution, Dr. Sachs lends his insights into how technology, policy, and sustainable finance can reshape education in times of crisis. We delve into the potential of AI and other innovations in providing scalable education solutions where traditional systems are challenged by extraordinary circumstances. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that not only highlights the challenges but also uncovers the opportunities for education to act as a catalyst for resilience and equity in our dynamic world. Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would y

How can technology and AI amplify grassroots efforts to advance gender equity in education? In this episode of WISE On Air, 2023 WISE Prize for Education Laureate Safeena Husain shares her insights from over 16 years of empowering girls in hard to reach areas. As founder of Educate Girls, Safeena pioneered community-based models to enroll over 1 million girls in school and boosted learning for over 1.9 million children. Her on-the-ground experience provides a unique lens into uplifting education at the grassroots level. Join host Aurelio Amaral for a conversation that explores to what extent AI can catalyze systemic change - when combined with grassroots efforts. Learn more about Educate Girls: https://www.educategirls.ngo Relive the WISE 11 Experience: https://youtu.be/u8ENVoiIAiM?si=2i77Z8lW5UzPvZTP Subscribe to WISE On Air: https://pod.link/wiseonair ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It really helps out the show and we would greatly ap

Register for the WISE 11 Summit - Doha, Qatar (28-29 Nov 2023): https://www.wise-qatar.org/wise-11/ As a result of the worst shock to education and learning in history, “learning poverty”—the percentage of 10-year-olds unable to read and understand a simple written text—has increased to 70%, according to the World Bank. And on top of that, we have constantly been hearing the word ‘reform’ quite a lot especially since the pandemic. A growing consensus that emphasizes the need for educaiton systems to not only prioritize academic skills, but teach students how to navigate uncertainty and change. In a world where educational landscapes are increasingly complex and challenging, a pivotal question arises: Is collective leadership the key to building a path towards systemic change in education? Does there need to be a more unified effort to achieve these changes, and how do we go about that? To answer these questions, we are honored to have Wendy Kopp, Founder & CEO of Teach For All and 2021 WISE Prize for Educ

As the metaverse continues to evolve from fiction to reality, with platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Meta gaining popularity, should we be concerned about its implications, especially for our children? The Metaverse has had a tumultuous development to say the least - last year following its reveal there was a lot of hype surrounding the potential of what it can be. But the conversation quickly died down with recent leaps in AI development taking center stage. But with recent news of hyperrealistic podcasts now being filmed in the Metaverse, we’re starting to get a glimpse of what this technology will entail in the future. With the concept of the metaverse still being an ambiguous concept to many, it’s important to go past the hype and consider the safety and privacy implications of this technology. To shed light on this issue, Founder of Bracket Capital, Yalda Aoukar shares alarming statistics about the rise in online child exploitation and abuse. She discusses how predators are using online gaming and

In this episode, we talk to four young Tunisians who are making waves in their fields of education, filmmaking, public policy, computer science, and edtech. They share their stories, insights, and perspectives on how AI is shaping the future of education, employment, and technology in Tunisia and the region. We also explore the impact and implications of AI and other new technologies on their own work and personal relations. Samy Chaffai, a filmmaker, content creator, and animal rights advocate who is pursuing a PhD in filmmaking. He is the founder of two YouTube channels, Ti 3leh and Samy Chaffaï, where he produces videos on various topics, such as comedy, education, culture, and social issues. His short movie, Prison of Numbers, premiered in the Pathe movie theaters in Tunis and Sousse in 2021, making him the first YouTuber in Tunisian history to debut a short movie on the big screen. Nesrine Mbarek, a student, activist, and researcher who is interested in public policy, gender issues, and economic develo

chool leadership is critical, but investment has declined. Our guests on this episode of WISE On Air want to transform education by transforming leadership. Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala, Dominic Regester, and Anthony Mackay lead WISE ALL-IN, a network reimagining leadership through research, training, and advocacy. Their goal is to modernize education to prepare learners for today's world. But change takes more than policy. Their lived experiences fueled their drive for systemic change, from role models to seeing inequities firsthand. Their journeys show why leadership matters. We discuss the challenges we face, why leadership is so critical, and how they are building a community to transform education's future. Join us as we explore their vision, insights, and why education transformation starts with leadership transformation. ------ Relevant links: Learn more about WISE ALL-IN: https://www.wise-qatar.org/all-in/ Dr. Asmaa Al-Fadala: https://www.wise-qatar.org/biography/asmaa-al-fadala/ Dominic Regester: http

How can artificial intelligence breakthroughs be taken out of the lab and positively impact industries worldwide? In this episode, join Elyas and entrepreneur Chibeza Agley, co-founder of education technology company Obrizum, for an insightful discussion on the evolution of AI and its expanding applications. Learn how Chibeza, with a background in stem cell research, made the transition to successful startup founder leveraging AI to enable personalized learning and optimize knowledge transfer. Discover how Obrizum overcame perceptions, built diverse teams, and invested early in AI to provide value for organizations across sectors. Chibeza provides perspective on why quality measurement and data are integral to their approach, along with the importance of inventing ethically with AI. ------ Relevant links: BBC Article with AI Godfather: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65452940 Learn about Obrizum: https://obrizum.com/ ------ If you enjoyed this episode, would you consider leaving us a review

The Philippines is an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia, composed of more than 7,000 islands. It has a population of over 110 million people, making it the 13th most populous country in the world. It is also one of the most diverse countries in terms of culture, language, religion, and ethnicity. Education is a key factor in the development and progress of any country, and the Philippines is no exception. According to the World Bank, the Philippines has made significant improvements in its education system over the past decades, such as increasing enrollment rates, reducing dropout rates, and improving learning outcomes. However, there are still many challenges and gaps that need to be addressed, such as access to quality education and equity of opportunities. One of the pioneers and leaders of EdTech in the Philippines looking to bridge that gap is WISE accelerator cohort Edukasyon which is a social enterprise that empowers youth in the Philippines and around the world to make informed decisions about

In this episode, we talk about a region that is often overlooked in the global edtech landscape: the Middle East and North Africa, or MENA. MENA is home to more than 400 million people, with a young and tech-savvy population, a growing demand for quality education, and a huge potential for digital transformation. But despite these favorable conditions, MENA’s edtech sector has been lagging behind other regions in terms of investment, innovation, and adoption. Why is that? And what are the opportunities and challenges for edtech entrepreneurs and investors in this region? To answer these questions, we speak to Nafez Dakkak, managing partner of BLDR ventures. Nafez has had extensive experience studying, analyzing, and working in MENA’s education sector, helping spearhead Edraak, an online learning platform that serves millions of learners across the Arab world. He has also served as a senior advisor at the Queen Rania Foundation for more than 6 years. Tune in to hear Host and WISE Director, Elyas Felfoul ta

With the breakneck speed of modern technology’s evolution, differences of opinion on its role in the classroom often turn into bitter divisions. How can we better understand these viewpoints, taking them into consideration while also trying to keep up with the pace of technology? To answer these questions In this episode we speak to Manos Antoninis, director of Unesco’s global education monitoring report (or simply GEM) about their newly released report examining the question of ‘technology in education - on whose terms?’. The conversation covers a slew of interesting key insights from the GEM report, the role of governments in regulating tech, the hidden costs of technology in the classroom, positive vs negative outcomes, and much more. Listen to this full episode of WISE On Air featuring WISE Research Manager and Host of this episode, Selma Talha-Jebril in conversation with Manos Antoninis. Special thanks to Unesco and the GEM Report team. ------ Relevant links: GEM Report: https://www.unesco.org/gem-re

In this episode of WISE On Air, we delve into the world of learning ecosystems and explore how they can revolutionize education in the 21st century. As our formal education sector lags behind the rapid advancements of the digital age, we need to reinvent our approach to learning and knowledge. Education is no longer solely about delivering content; it's about learning how to learn, question, and interpret information in a critical manner. Our guests, Rosie Clayton and Sebastien Turbot, bring their expertise to the table. Rosie is an education specialist and Co-Founder of the Weaving Lab, which focuses on developing global expertise in learning ecosystems. With her extensive research experience at WISE, she expands our understanding of the field. Sebastien, now working with Earthna as the Director of Content and External Affairs, has a long history with WISE and recently led the publication on designing learning ecosystems, serving as a playbook for those interested in advancing the concept. Together, we exp

This episode is brought to you and produced by the Education City Speaker Series, a Qatar Foundation platform for open knowledge and discussion which invites various speakers from around the world to share key insights about our world for free with the public. Check out more of their conversations here: https://www.qf.org.qa/ecss When Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (the organization behind ChatGPT and other tools like DALL-E) was invited to speak at Qatar Foundation’s Education City Speaker Series, many from the Qatar Foundation community quickly flocked to secure their seats for the talk. Prior to the day, a poll was shared with the audience asking them how concerned they are about the impact of AI on our world. The results were interesting, with just 18% stating not at all, 30% said a little, and an overwhelming 51% responded ‘very concerned’. The results are arguably reflective of a global sentiment - another recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that while a majority of US citizens kne

A few weeks ago, some of the top AI leaders in the world representing big names like OpenAI, Deepmind, and Google came together to sign a statement that urged caution to AI development worldwide. While there is plenty to be excited for, there is of course a lot of concern. Time Magazine recently wrote a piece comparing the development of this technology to the way nuclear energy was propagated. Some would even liken it to an AI arms race. Amidst this chaos of such easily accessible and generated information, we have to ask ourselves a fundamental question: Are our education systems falling behind in teaching us the most important lesson of all: the purpose and meaning of learning? In this episode of WISE On Air, Nadeem Nathoo, co-founder of The Knowledge Society (TKS), a global innovation program for teens aged 13-17. The conversation covers various topics related to emerging technologies and their impact on education, including the role of AI in education, how to develop a growth mindset, and the importanc

Register to attend GEF & WISE at Medellin: https://bit.ly/3LvdEI9 ------ You've undoubtedly heard of ChatGPT, the AI tool that's captured the attention of everyone from students and teachers to policymakers and governments. But the reality is that the pace of AI's evolution is already lightyears ahead of our ability to respond. Recent updates to Open AI's tool has enabled it to edit videos, write research papers, create a webpage from a rough sketch drawn on a napkin, and even serve as your very own virtual assistant for just about anything. The speed of its advancement has even made Open AI's founder, Sam Altman, a bit apprehensive about the ways it will change the world. Given the many implications of this powerful tool, we would be naive to think that we could tackle this multifacted issue in just one episode. So this time, we'll focus on the essentials: what do we know about AI so far and how should education respond? Recently, WISE Director Elyas Felfoul took a trip to Stanford University. He was su

Apply for the WISE Edtech Accelerator before 14 April: http://bit.ly/40dVNLQ ------ With so many technological breakthroughs, have you ever wondered if there was a way we could better systemize the implementation of edtech in the classroom in a way that benefits teachers rather than creating unnecessary burdens? Enter the world of testbeds. Edtech testbeds are essentially environments where new Edtech tools and approaches can be developed and tested in a controlled setting. But why do we need testbeds in the first place? Despite the rapid growth of the edtech industry in the MENA region and globally, there are still significant challenges facing the sector, including limited access to funding and a lack of technical expertise. On top of that, there's a crucial need for better alignment between edtech products and local education needs. This is where edtech testbeds come in as a crucial bridge, connecting edtech companies with educators to develop innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of learners in

Last time on WISE On Air we were joined by three 2022 WISE Awards Winning Project holders, Janhvi Kanoria, Susan Mtana, and Tyler Samstag. We brought these innovators on the show because we’re looking to decipher what does it take to unlock the potential of great ideas to transform education. In a rapidly evolving world, it can be argued that traditional education models are being constantly disrupted with the advent of new technological breakthroughs. In 2023 alone we’re seeing massive strides with A.I. and machine learning for example. In fact, according to a report by HolonIQ, the global education market is estimated to reach $10 trillion by 2030, with a growing number of startups and investors seeking to revolutionize the sector. As we navigate these changes, it's important to understand what sets successful education initiatives apart. What can we learn from the ones that have made a real impact? In this second part episode, we'll dive into some of the groundbreaking solutions that are reshaping educa

Featuring Susan Mtana of Kenya-based Kidogo, Tyler Samstag of Pittsburgh-based Remake Learning, and Janhvi Kanoria of Qatar-based Education Above All. In today's rapidly changing world, the traditional model of education is being challenged like never before. New technologies, changing social and economic conditions, and a multitude of other factors are reshaping the way we learn and teach. With these changes come novel initiatives and solutions that are tackling pressing challenges of learning in unconventional ways. But what sets a great solution apart and leads to real impact? What can we learn from those who have succeeded where others struggled? In this two-part episode, we'll be speaking with six innovators behind the 2022 WISE Awards winning projects to learn what it takes to make a great idea a reality and delve deeper into some of the things they wish they knew when they set out to change education. Together with Susan Mtana, Tyler Samstag, and Janhvi Kanoria, we discussed topics including: -

This episode is the third and final of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Marc Brackett, author of Permission to Feel, and the founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and a professor in the Child Study Center at Yale University. Marc has published over 120 scholarly articles on the role of emotions and emotional intelligence in learning, decision making, creativity, relationships, health, and performance. He is the lead developer of RULER, an evidence-based, systemic approach to social and emotional learning that has been adopted by more than two thousand schools, pre-K through high school, across the United States and in other countries.   Tune in to this third and final episode of the Unmute Education limited series to hear Marc Brackett’s discussion alongside host and CEO of WISE, Stavro

This episode is the second of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Amel Karboul, the founding CEO of the Education Outcomes Fund, a ground-breaking international effort to change the way that education is funded particularly in developing country contexts. The effort is championed by amongst others Gordon Brown, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, and Sir Ronald Cohen co-founder of Apax Partners, one of Europe’s most successful Venture Capital Firms. Prior to taking on her role with the Education Outcomes Fund Amel held leadership positions at Mercedes-Benz, DaimlerChrysler; and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). She also served in her native Tunisia as Minister of Tourism from 2014 to 2015 during the country’s transition to democracy. She was the first woman to occupy that position and the youngest

This episode is the first of the Unmute Education limited series dedicated to raising the volume on the education conversation in the leadup to the WISE 2021 Global Summit taking place in Doha, Qatar and online on 7-9 December 2021. Featured in this podcast is Victoria Ibiwoye, is the Founder of OneAfricanChild, a youth-led organization with a mission to create opportunities in underserved communities and unleash the potential in young people through global citizenship education programs. She also served as the Youth Representative of the SDG-Education 2030 Steering Committee. As the world slowly emerges from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we not only take stock of the largely negative impact on education with the prolonged lockdowns and school closures, but also look ahead to the challenges that confront us, most of which long predate the pandemic, and the opportunities that are becoming available to solve some of the world’s most intractable challenges, not least of which is t