WISE policy dialogue explores AI readiness in classrooms through global research

The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, hosted a policy dialogue in Doha on November 2023, focusing on AI integration in K–12 education. The event, held at ThinkBay in Education City, presented research involving over 3,000 teachers from Qatar, the United States, India, the Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, and Uganda, conducted in partnership with Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), MIT pK-12 Initiative, MIT RAISE, and the University of Southern California. Research and Policy Director at WISE, Selma Talha Jebril, emphasized the study’s scale, calling it one of the most comprehensive global examinations of AI in K–12 classrooms. While 60% of teachers worldwide reported using AI to personalize instruction, only 30% of Qatari teachers demonstrated a strong understanding of AI’s educational applications. Jebril stressed the need for structured, context-specific professional development to bridge this gap, particularly for Arabic-language platforms and local curricula. Head of the Quality and Planning Unit at MoEHE’s Department of E-Learning and Digital Solutions, Aisha Mohammed Al Emadi, noted Qatar’s advanced digital infrastructure supports AI adoption but warned that readiness depends on teacher confidence, institutional support, and clear policies. She highlighted the necessity of regulatory frameworks and sustainable investments in teacher capabilities to ensure safe, effective AI use. A panel discussion moderated by WISE Research and Policy Associate Maimoona Junjunia explored current AI classroom applications, primarily administrative tasks, and called for deeper integration. WISE Innovation Manager Shahd Dauleh introduced the WISE EdTech Testbed, a structured testing environment for AI tools in collaboration with Qatar Foundation and government schools, aiming to refine and evaluate AI’s educational potential. The dialogue underscored the urgency of aligning AI tools with local needs, fostering teacher readiness, and strengthening partnerships among educators, researchers, and policymakers to maximize AI’s impact in K–12 education.