- Global tech and philanthropic leaders convened in Abu Dhabi for the World Schools Summit to highlight AI’s role in transforming global education.
- Google and Microsoft announced major AI-driven education commitments, pledging support for millions across MENA and the UAE through digital literacy and advanced skills training.
- The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation committed $45.5 million to support schooling for 350,000 children in Kenya and Nigeria, reinforcing education as a tool for breaking poverty cycles.
Leaders from the global technology and philanthropic sectors convened in Abu Dhabi to underscore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and targeted investment in underserved communities in shaping the future of global education. Gathering at the World Schools Summit, they reflected on how AI-driven tools and increased financial commitments could raise the standard of learning 'for every child in the world', while preparing young people for a rapidly evolving job market.
Throughout the summit, major technology companies announced ambitious plans to integrate AI into classrooms, improve digital literacy, and scale access to future-ready skills. Google committed to supporting 2.3 million young people, educators, and caregivers across the Middle East and North Africa by 2028 through better online safety, deeper AI literacy, and stronger readiness for the digital age. As part of its ongoing $25-million investment since 2019, Google announced an additional $5.5 million in funding for three nonprofit partners, namely Injaz Al Arab, Inco, and Chance.
Collectively, these organisations work across several countries to empower young people, enhance access to economic opportunity, and equip underprivileged children with the skills they need to succeed. Ben Gomes, Google's chief technologist for learning and sustainability, and one of the key forces behind the company's development of its search engine, talked about an unprecedented opportunity that AI creates to reshape teaching and learning.
He emphasized that technology should enhance the role of the teacher, not replace it, while calling on educators to use AI tools, share their experiences, and help inform the next wave of innovation. The true challenge, he said, will not be just the integration of AI solutions into educational contexts but will involve the transformation of whole systems of education in order to exploit the full potential.
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Microsoft also announced a significant expansion of its AI education endeavors. The firm will commit to ensuring one million people in the UAE are properly skilled in key AI capabilities by 2030 as part of the broader $15.2 billion investment it was making in the country. Patrick O'Steen, who leads K-12 partnerships and community initiatives at Microsoft Elevate, said new collaborations with world-leading educational institutions, government bodies, and non-profit organisations would provide specialized courses and technical pathways. These initiatives form part of Microsoft's global commitment to train 20 million people in AI skills over the next two years.
Equally central to the discussions were philanthropic commitments. An announcement of a $45.5 million investment by the Children's Investment Fund Foundation to keep 350,000 children in Kenya and Nigeria in school with improved learning outcomes was made. According to Eunice Ogolo, the foundation's Director for Girl Capital in Africa, education remains a critical force in breaking cycles of poverty, especially among girls and young women.
Organized for the second consecutive year by T4 Education, Aldar Education, and the Emirates Foundation, the summit celebrated a shared mission: to improve education everywhere. Speakers underlined that, as AI expands access and breaks down barriers, human inspiration, creativity, and mentorship will continue to be irreplaceable. Educators were reminded that their nurturing of curiosity, resilience, and leadership will continue to define the future, even as technology reshapes the classroom.
