In line with the UAE’s National Strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), GEMS Education and Microsoft have joined forces to offer AI training to thousands of GEMS students, teachers, and school leaders. This initiative builds upon their longstanding and successful partnership.
This emphasis on AI also supports the newly unveiled vision of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council and Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation. The vision aims to enhance the skills of educators in AI and expedite the integration of AI technologies.
Dr Saima Rana, Group Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education, said, "We are proud to collaborate with Microsoft to bring cutting-edge AI training to our students, teachers, and school leaders. This collaboration reflects our unwavering commitment to staying at the forefront of educational innovation and equipping our community with the skills necessary to thrive in the digital age. By integrating AI into our educational practices, we are preparing our staff and students for a future where technology and human potential are seamlessly intertwined."
GEMS and Microsoft’s AI training will be rolled out from September 2024 and take the following approach:
Student and Staff AI Training
Around 5,000 GEMS students aged 16 to 18 and teachers and school support staff will receive comprehensive face-to-face AI training. The program is designed to equip them with the necessary skills to effectively utilise AI technologies. Students will initially be introduced to AI concepts and applications, followed by deeper training to enhance their understanding and implementation of AI.
Educators will also benefit, from gaining skills to integrate AI into their teaching methods and daily responsibilities. The training materials will be accessible to the broader GEMS community of teachers and students aged 13 and above through internal online platforms. Details regarding session timings and locations will be provided in the future.
Microsoft Copilot 365
GEMS is collaborating with Microsoft to conduct workshops to train school leaders in utilising Microsoft Copilot 365. This initiative focuses on leveraging AI tools to support leadership roles within schools. Copilot 365 offers AI-powered assistance, real-time feedback, and automated administrative tasks, enhancing operational efficiency and allowing more focus on human-centred activities.
Hamad Matter, Education Lead, Microsoft UAE, said, "We are excited about the potential of this collaboration and the opportunities it will provide for students and educators to elevate their understanding of AI technologies and increase their productivity and employability."