The University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah have set the stage for a new era in education with the launch of the Second Sharjah International Conference on Education, held under the theme “AI and Beyond: Smart Education Unlocking Potential in the Digital Age.” The event was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah on Monday at Al Razi Hall in the Colleges of Medicine, and Health Sciences. This landmark conference drew leading scholars, policymakers, and innovators from around the world to explore how artificial intelligence and digital transformation are reshaping the future of learning.

The opening ceremony, marked by the UAE national anthem and a recitation from the Holy Quran, was attended by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, President of the University of Sharjah. In his keynote address, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi paid tribute to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, whose visionary leadership has transformed Sharjah into a beacon of knowledge and innovation. He also extended heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, for her tireless dedication to advancing education in Sharjah and beyond.

Welcoming participants from across the globe, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi emphasized the significance of academic collaboration, describing the conference as more than an academic gathering but a celebration of partnership and shared ambition. “Through the exchange of expertise, research, and resources, we create an environment where ideas can thrive and innovations in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and smart education can be applied to build a better future,” he remarked. He underscored the role of scientific cooperation in broadening academic horizons and driving meaningful innovation.

His Highness also highlighted the profound impact of artificial intelligence on education, noting its transformative role in teaching, learning, and institutional management. AI, he explained, is revolutionizing classroom dynamics, fostering creativity and critical thinking, and enabling the development of smart campuses that meet the highest global standards. By streamlining decision-making and automating administrative processes, AI empowers educators to focus on what matters most: engaging directly with students and optimizing the effectiveness of the learning experience.

However, His Highness also acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid technological advancement, stressing the importance of ethical and equitable implementation of AI in education. “As we embrace these developments, we must also confront the challenges they bring. We have a duty to ensure that AI is implemented ethically and equitably, in ways that reflect our values and serve the greater good,” he stated. He called on participants to seize the opportunity to explore how AI can be harnessed to build an education system that is not only smart, but also inclusive and sustainable.

Turning to the future, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi reaffirmed the University of Sharjah’s commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific advancement and preparing students for an ever-evolving job market. “Employers are seeking graduates who not only have academic qualifications but also possess critical thinking, data analysis skills, and the confidence to work with artificial intelligence. At the University of Sharjah, we are committed to equipping our students for this new reality through industry-aligned curricula, hands-on AI training, and strategic partnerships with leading tech institutions. The University’s commitment to bridging the gap between education and the workplace is clear: its primary goal is to graduate cohorts of learners who are prepared for today’s jobs and ready to lead innovation in tomorrow’s world,” he said.

Concluding his remarks, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi emphasized the vital importance of holding and sustaining scientific conferences, describing them as incubators for new ideas and bold solutions to the pressing issues facing education and its ongoing development. He stressed that by sharing ideas, fostering collaboration, and encouraging open dialogue, such gatherings help generate answers to the challenges confronting education, redefine its purpose, empower future generations, and reaffirm Sharjah’s global standing as a leader in knowledge and innovation. His Excellency Dr. Tod Larsen, Chancellor of the American University of Sharjah, and co-chair of the conference, delivered a warm welcome to the attendees, expressing his sincere gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi for honoring the event with his presence and inaugurating this important gathering. Dr. Larsen emphasized the significance of the conference’s focus on artificial intelligence, describing it as one of the most critical and transformative topics in global education today. He highlighted the need to examine not only the educational impact of AI, but also its broader societal effects, noting that the integration of AI into education brings unprecedented opportunities for personalized learning, improved administrative efficiency, and enhanced global collaboration.

At the same time, Dr. Larsen cautioned that the use of such advanced technologies raises profound ethical questions. He underscored the importance of ensuring fairness in AI-supported systems and stressed the need to establish clear boundaries to maintain control over these powerful tools. Concluding his remarks, Dr. Larsen explained that the conference aims to provide balanced perspectives from leading international experts on the diverse challenges posed by artificial intelligence, and to explore practical pathways toward a sustainable future for smart education and digital transformation.

In his keynote address, Kamal Toumi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, explored the growing influence of artificial intelligence across various sectors of the workforce and highlighted the enduring importance of distinctively human creativity. Prof. Toumi explained that while AI excels at handling routine cognitive tasks, it still falls short of matching human abilities in critical thinking, innovation, and the delivery of nuanced, human-centered solutions. He illustrated his points with a series of comparative experiments, drawing clear distinctions between human and artificial intelligence.

Prof.  Toumi also stressed the need to steer university education toward developing applied knowledge gained through practice and experience, alongside theoretical understanding. He discussed MIT’s initiatives to foster a holistic educational environment that blends technical expertise with civic responsibility and ethical awareness. Prof. Toumi pointed to the institute’s partnerships with major technology companies, which provide students with valuable hands-on opportunities and help accelerate research in artificial intelligence.

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi also attended a panel discussion addressing the ethical challenges and governance of artificial intelligence in education, moderated by Prof. Abbes Amira, Dean of the College of Computing and Informatics at the University of Sharjah. Dr. David Toman opened the session by emphasizing the significance of artificial intelligence, while noting that its regulation presents a genuine challenge for those responsible in the field. He stressed the importance of keeping AI open source, highlighting its potential to greatly enrich human knowledge, and advocated for its academic adoption alongside ongoing educational models for those who rely on such technologies. During the panel discussion, Dr. Nikolay Mihaydev from the University of Birmingham-Dubai discussed the importance of transparency and ethical accountability, proposing that AI governance in education should respect student privacy and ensure that the benefits of these technologies are realized with precision and professionalism. For his part, Dr. Shermon Cruz of Northwestern University in the Philippines remarked that, as an open field, artificial intelligence will never be entirely transparent. He called for a rational approach, clear responsibilities, and collective accountability that considers the cultural context of each society, while also recognizing the benefits AI can bring.

The session concluded with Dr. Habib Zaidi from the University of Geneva in Switzerland, who underscored the value of artificial intelligence in supporting scientific research and education. However, he cautioned against overreliance on AI in medicine, sharing experiences from Geneva University Hospital and stressing the need to uphold scientific integrity, ongoing training, and proper attribution in the use of these technologies. The conference, spanning two days and jointly hosted by the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah, features more than 130 research papers from over 25 countries and 50 academic institutions. The program includes parallel sessions, interactive workshops, scientific tours, and field visits to specialized academic centers, providing a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The opening was attended by prominent figures including Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Department; Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank; Prof. Esameldin Ibrahim Agamy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah; Dr. Awad Al Khalaf, Chancellor of Al Qasimia University; as well as members of the Boards of Trustees of both universities and distinguished scholars from around the globe.

At the conclusion of the opening ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi graciously honored the keynote speakers of the conference.