The Jeddah Education Department announced the launch of its innovative " Artificial Intelligence Hour " initiative, a pioneering program designed to empower teachers and educational leaders to utilize generative artificial intelligence technologies safely and effectively. This initiative is part of a strategic partnership with Microsoft and the National Institute for Professional Development in Education, aiming to foster digital innovation within the educational environment and support the transition to a knowledge-based economy.
General context: In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
This initiative falls within the broader national efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 , which prioritizes digital transformation and human capital development. The education sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a transformative shift, with the Ministry of Education striving to integrate cutting-edge technologies to enhance the quality of educational outcomes and equip students and teachers with the skills necessary to meet future demands. Initiatives like the "AI Hour" are a practical application of this vision, translating theoretical technological concepts into practical applications within classrooms and educational offices.
Objectives and importance of the "Artificial Intelligence Hour" event
The initiative primarily aims to equip educators with the skill of "prompt engineering," a crucial skill for effectively interacting with generative AI models such as Microsoft Copilot . By mastering this skill, teachers will be able to create customized educational content, design interactive activities, and provide innovative solutions to everyday challenges, thereby enhancing the quality of digital interaction and tangibly improving learning outcomes.
Locally, this event positions Jeddah at the forefront of cities adopting advanced educational technologies. Regionally, it offers a model that other educational systems in the region can emulate to accelerate their digital transformation. Internationally, the inclusion of these events on the global map highlights the Kingdom's efforts to keep pace with global trends in integrating artificial intelligence into education.
Competitive pathways to stimulate innovation
The administration has identified four competitive tracks designed to cover various aspects of the educational and administrative process, namely:
- School of the Future: It focuses on using artificial intelligence to produce imaginative images and innovative concepts for the future of education.
- The Innovative Teacher: Dedicated to designing and customizing educational content and lesson plans in creative ways.
- The innovative leader: aims to develop smart management solutions for the challenges facing school leaders.
- Pioneers of Innovation: Guided towards designing extracurricular activities and student initiatives using technological tools.
Terms of participation and regulatory controls
To ensure maximum benefit, the administration established a set of clear participation requirements. Participants must use their educational account on the "My School" platform for secure access to the Microsoft Copilot tool and must complete the designated training course on the National Institute's platform. The guidelines also require participants to dedicate a full 60 minutes to practical tasks, ensuring the conversion of theoretical knowledge into practical application. Furthermore, the directives emphasize the pivotal role of school principals in registering the activities conducted via the approved global link. This ensures the Kingdom's efforts are included on the global map of this important technological event, while fully adhering to the guidelines to guarantee data security and the safety of the students' digital environment.
