Explore how transformative technologies like AI, immersive tech, AR, and VR are reshaping education. Join innovators, EdTech pioneers, and educators as they share practical insights to revolutionise learning and inspire the classrooms of tomorrow.
Beyond Strategy: Why Decisions Define Leadership in the AI Era
Session Summary:
In a world shaped by AI, complexity, and constant acceleration, the true measure of leadership is no longer charisma, confidence, or even communication - it's judgment. In this keynote, Annie argues that the future of leadership lies in the ability to make high-quality decisions consistently, ethically, and under pressure. She explores how leaders can evolve from reactive choices to reflective, intentional decision-making, using insight, ethics, and systems thinking as foundations.
This talk introduces a powerful shift: leadership as a practice of decision-making, not just a position of authority. And it offers practical ideas for how individuals and organisations can build decision capability at every level. Drawing from psychology, leadership development, and responsible AI use, this session challenges assumptions and inspires leaders to reimagine how they choose, act, and reflect.
Audience Outcomes: 1. Reframe leadership as a decision-making practice 2. Learn a practical lens to improve decision quality across roles and contexts 3. Explore how AI can support—not shortcut—judgment
Speakers:
Annie Nayyar
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Director of Leadership - Inspirational Group
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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The lowest-hanging fruit
Session Summary:
In education, everyone seems to be chasing complex solutions or aiming for the “big catch” to make a real impact. But sometimes, it’s the "lowest-hanging fruit" — the closest and simplest option — that delivers the biggest results. In this session, we’ll explore how Schoolvoice seized that opportunity: a simple, seamless, and formal communication channel between school and home that led to a 27% drop in failure rates, improved attendance, and a measurable boost in student motivation.
In the age of AI, where much of our written communication is enhanced, from softening the tone of emails to clearly expressing complex opinions, communication remains the most powerful tool we have to build trust, foster collaboration, and inspire growth in educational settings. Whether it's through verbal dialogue, written messages, or digital interactions, effective communication is at the heart of impactful teaching and meaningful leadership. This session will focus on exploring the extent to which classroom teachers’ use of motivating language, in terms of direction-giving language, empathetic language, and meaning-making language, impacts the academic performance of their students. In a multilingual and multicultural society, such as ours, clear, transparent, and empathetic communication is indispensable, especially for classroom teachers. This workshop is specifically designed to engage classroom teachers and and school leaders through various interactive and hands-on activities, exploring key leadership qualities and how effective leaders inspire and motivate those they guide. This workshop is grounded in the notion of motivating language, originating from the Speech Act Theory (1962), and focuses on three key speech acts: meaning-making language, direction-giving language, and empathetic language.
AI in Primary Schools: Unlocking the Future of Learning
Session Summary:
Artificial Intelligence isn’t just the future, it’s already reshaping how we teach and how children learn. But what does AI really look like in a primary school setting? In this dynamic and practical workshop, Phil Long, a leading educator and EdTech innovator, explores how AI can enhance learning, creativity, and assessment from Foundation Stage to Year 6. Discover how AI tools can support student engagement, accelerate teacher workload reduction, and promote deeper learning across the curriculum.
This session will unpack real-world examples, including AI-powered writing tools, adaptive learning platforms, and creative applications in education. Phil will also share insights from his own leadership in developing AI pathways for teachers, ensuring implementation is purposeful, ethical, and empowering for young learners.
What to Expect:
Live demonstrations of classroom-ready AI tools
Practical strategies to integrate AI across subjects
Discussion on digital wellbeing, ethics, and data literacy
Resources to build teacher and student confidence
A roadmap for schools starting (or scaling up) their AI journey
Speakers:
Phil Long
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Head of Primary STREAM, AI and Innovation - Arcadia British School
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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Digital plastic and how to use smart AI in Education
Session Summary:
Digital plastic is the combination of positives and challenges of AI content. Within education there are both that are brought to the surface of student learning daily. I will discuss those positives and challenges, how teachers, students and the school and greater community can balance and make peace with Digital Plastic and veer to the side of the positives of the new technology. My experiences in government, World Bank, and as a university professor will allow me to share examples and stories related to this bridging of tech and future-ready students.
Speakers:
Dr. Dala Kakos
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Advisor to the Secretary General - The Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD)
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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Co-Constructing an Innovative School Culture
Session Summary:
In today’s fast-changing world, innovation in education is not optional—it is a shared responsibility. This session explores how schools can co-construct a culture of innovation by embracing Design Thinking as a mindset and intentionally developing technology fluency across the entire school community. Participants will discover how educators, leaders, and students can work together to design and create a dynamic, forward-thinking school culture where innovation is embedded in everyday practices, not just in devices or apps. When a school unites in this mission, teachers grow, students thrive, and the community as a whole becomes empowered to navigate the ever-evolving digital and design landscape.
Speakers:
Tania Al Jaroudy
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Director of Innovation - Makers Learning School International
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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Phygital Learning for Generation Alpha: A Hands-On Approach to Future-Ready Classrooms
Session Summary:
In an era where Generation Alpha thrives on interactive, tech-integrated experiences, phygital learning bridges the gap between digital engagement and hands-on exploration. This workshop equips educators with practical strategies to implement phygital learning in their classrooms, leveraging BootUp’s ready-to-use STEM micro-courses and maker kits.
Participants will explore real-world case studies from BootUp workshops and Arcadia British School, demonstrating how educators can seamlessly blend digital storytelling, simulations, and hands-on building to enhance problem-solving and critical thinking. With a focus on micro-learning and active engagement, this session provides actionable frameworks to design immersive lessons that align with UN SDGs.
Join us to discover how to scale phygital learning institutionally, integrate STEM maker kits into your curriculum, and transform learning environments into future-ready spaces.
Speakers:
Amra Iuoop
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STREAM Educator & Founder of BootUp - Arcadia British School
Categories:
STEM Education
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The Reality of Employing Artificial Intelligence Applications and Its Challenges in Rehabilitating Children with Special Needs
Session Summary:
The study explores the use of artificial intelligence applications in the rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. It also discusses the challenges associated with this from the perspective of subject teachers and special education teachers in the United Arab Emirates.
Speakers:
Dr Seham Mohammed
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Special Education Specialist - Ministry of Education - Special Education Support Center Sharjah
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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From Chaos to Clarity: Designing Systems That Make Data Work for You
Session Summary:
In an era where AI dominates the conversation, it’s easy to overlook the foundational systems and strategies that make technology truly effective in schools. Yet without these basics in place, even the most advanced tools struggle to deliver meaningful impact.
In this session, Darren Bastyan shares his school’s journey of digital transformation and explores why getting the fundamentals right—strategy, systems, and data integration—is critical for success. Drawing on over 20 years of experience, Darren will show how thoughtful design and automation can unlock the real power of data to personalise learning, support wellbeing, and improve outcomes for every student.
Attendees will gain practical insights into:
• Why disconnected systems undermine impact and increase workload
• How to design for data accessibility and ease of use
• Real-world examples of streamlined workflows and improved decision-making
This session is for leaders and practitioners who want to move beyond hype and build connected, data-driven ecosystems that empower educators.
Speakers:
Darren Bastyan
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Assistant Head (Digital Strategy, Assessment and Tracking) and Director of Schools MIS - Harrow International School Hong Kong
Categories:
AI and EdTech
Leadership and Professional Development
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Beyond the Hype: Rethinking AI, Screen Time and the Future of Learning
Session Summary:
This session invites educators and leaders to have their current thinking and perceptions, if based on mainstream media hype, challenged and explore the complex and evolving role of AI in education.
Screen time, attention spans, mental health & wellbeing feature heavily in the media, but is this backed by current peer-reviewed research? Is more screen time ever a good thing? This talk will challenge some popular thinking and draw on real research and international examples to offer a more grounded understanding of the issues.
Key areas include:
• How screen use in education is being understood through research and practice, not just headlines (more screen time, not less, may be beneficial). • The impact of AI tools on teaching, learning and learner engagement • The importance of developing AI fluency in both staff and students • If educators don’t shape the narrative, others will • What other countries can learn from the UAE’s approach to integrating AI into the curriculum This session aims to support thoughtful, ethical and evidence-informed conversations about the role of AI in education and how schools can respond with confidence and clarity.
AI & Automation: The Secret to Reducing Admin Work in Schools
Session Summary:
School administration is bogged down with endless emails, spreadsheets, and manual data entry stealing valuable time from educators. What if automation could handle the workload for you? This session dives into real-world applications of Microsoft Power Automate, AI, and VBA scripting to streamline school operations. Using a case study from my own experience, I’ll demonstrate how we automated professional development (PD) tracking eliminating manual processes, improving accuracy, and providing real-time insights for leadership. Whether you're an administrator, school leader, or tech enthusiast, you’ll walk away with practical automation strategies to reduce workload, enhance efficiency, and transform how schools operate.
Speakers:
Christopher Raine
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Head of Assessment and Data - Emirates National School - Abu Dhabi City Campus
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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Do Androids Dream of Dyslexic Sheep? Ethics and Neuronormative Injustice in AI
Session Summary:
Studies have demonstrated the ethnic and gender bias that appears inherent within artificial intelligence. This dynamic and interactive talk presents original research showing that AI is also saturated with neuronormative bias. That is, AI sees dyslexic people as less competent, motivated, and able than their non-dyslexic peers. And we can measure this bias!
Such bias may seem insignificant, until we realise the ubiquitous usage of AI in education, in childcare, and in social services. The bias carried by AI can, and does, measurably disadvantage dyslexic students, teachers, and other education professionals. But there's a darker, less obvious danger lurking: an ethical injustice that reflects, creates, and amplifies social inequality, both within the classroom and in broader society.
This talk, presented jointly by Dr Martin Bloomfield and Professor Claudia Lemke, examines these biases and the inequalities, and asks: in a world rushing towards the adoption of artificial intelligence in education, what can we do to ensure that all children are catered for, equally and ethically?
Speakers:
Prof Dr Claudia Lemke
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Professor of Information Systems and Academic Director - Berlin School of Economics and Law
Schools full of cyborgs - shaping a new world with AI
Session Summary:
Students have AI in their hands. The world has shifted. We can harness the potential or let it overwhelm us. In this workshop, we explore how educators can lead learning with AI whilst maintaining educational excellence. This session showcases real-world examples of teachers using AI-driven tools to personalise instruction, streamline administrative tasks, and boost student engagement. Discover practical applications, best practices, and insights from education and beyond. Whether you're new to AI or already integrating it into your practice, this session offers inspiration and strategies to maximise its impact in education.
As an educator who has navigated the AI integration journey firsthand, I'll share practical insights on implementing artificial intelligence tools in schools. My workshop will walk participants through our experience - from developing initial strategies to securing crucial buy-in from staff and leadership teams. You'll see real AI educational tools in action and witness their powerful impact on student learning and engagement. I'll demonstrate how we systematically trialed applications, sharing both successes and challenges encountered along the way. A significant portion will address the critical considerations of safety protocols and data compliance that must underpin any implementation. Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or looking to enhance existing practices, you'll leave with actionable strategies to advance your school's AI journey in ways that meaningfully support teaching and learning.
Speakers:
Christopher Blackwood
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Assistant Head for Coaching, Innovation and Learning - Emirates International School
Categories:
AI and EdTech
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The Bright Side of Mistakes: Empowering Students to Use AI Ethically and Fearlessly
Session Summary:
In this session, you will discover how encouraging students to view mistakes as learning opportunities can transform their mindset. Combined with the responsible and creative use of AI, this approach helps students become confident learners who use technology to support not replace their thinking.
Speakers:
Dana Abdel Jabbar
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Teacher - Ministry of Education - Fatma Al Zahraa Cycle 3 School
Categories:
AI and EdTech
STEM Education
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Hands-On First, Screens Later: Unplugged STEM for the Modern Classroom
Session Summary:
In a world dominated by screens, true innovation often begins with simple materials and big ideas. Join Phil Long, educator, author, and founder of STEM Stars, to explore how unplugged STEM challenges and design thinking can ignite curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. This session also examines when to introduce technology to enhance learning, showing how digital tools can amplify, document, or extend hands-on experiences rather than replace them. Attendees will leave with ready-to-use unplugged STEM activities and strategies for integrating low-tech innovation alongside purposeful EdTech in a modern, future-ready classroom.
Speakers:
Phil Long
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Head of Primary STREAM, AI and Innovation - Arcadia British School
Categories:
STEM Education
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Practical AI for School Leaders: 15+ Ways to Build Your Capacity
Session Summary:
Between emails, improvement plans, policies, and meetings, school leadership can feel overwhelming. I've discovered 15+ practical ways to use AI that actually help. These aren't the hype you read about, but real applications that give me back hours each week. I'll share exactly what works, what doesn't, and how you can start using these tools tomorrow without any technical expertise. This is about working smarter with the tools available today.
Speakers:
Christopher Blackwood
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Assistant Head for Coaching, Innovation and Learning - Emirates International School
