The inaugural Day of AI Global Summit, co-hosted by DP World and MIT’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) initiative, concluded at Expo City Dubai recently, bringing together ministers, global education leaders, and technology experts to advance practical pathways for responsible artificial intelligence in classrooms and communities worldwide.
Held under the theme ‘AI for Every Learner’, the two-day gathering convened policymakers from more than 30 countries, alongside representatives from the World Bank, UNESCO and leading private-sector innovators. The summit delivered concrete recommendations to equip millions of teachers and students with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-enabled future.
The Summit marked the first international edition of MIT RAISE’s Day of AI programme, supported by DP World. The program aims to make 250,000 teachers and six million students AI-literate over the next 12 months.
In that regard, the Summit also highlighted nationwide implementations, such as in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan, under the leadership of New Uzbekistan University and in partnership with MIT RAISE and Day of AI, signed an implementation agreement to introduce the global Day of AI initiative to that country. This collaboration aims to strengthen nationwide AI literacy and equip the next generation of students with essential skills for an AI-driven future.
Under the agreement, New Uzbekistan University will localise the full Day of AI curriculum and teaching materials into the Uzbek language; adapt and integrate these resources into Uzbekistan’s national education system; and coordinate nationwide teacher training to ensure effective classroom implementation.
The implementation will link Uzbekistan to the global Day of AI community of leading educators, researchers, and innovators worldwide.
Uzbekistan’s national goals in education include expanding digital literacy across all regions, strengthening STEM- and technology-focused education to prepare youth for future careers shaped by artificial intelligence, and advancing the government’s vision for a modern, innovative, and inclusive education system.
To do this, a key component of the Day of AI agreement is a phased, large-scale professional development initiative to empower Uzbek educators to teach AI nationwide confidently.
It starts with the selection and training of 1,400 IT school teachers from all regions of Uzbekistan, and that initial cohort will go on to train an additional 20,000 educators. This cascade approach ensures rapid, scalable, and sustainable capacity building across the entire education system.
Through this collaboration, Uzbekistan takes an important step toward building an AI-competent society, empowering both teachers and students, and fostering a future-ready generation.
MIT RAISE Director Cynthia Breazeal (seated, left) and New Uzbekistan University First Vice-President for Academic Affairs Bahodir Ahmedov (seated, right) celebrate the formal expansion of Day of AI into Uzbekistan
On its opening day, the summit hosted high-level ministerial roundtables and keynote sessions led by MIT experts and education ministers from Rwanda, Latvia, Colombia and Kazakhstan.
Discussions led by Prof Cynthia Breazeal, Prof Eric Klopfer and other MIT faculty examined how AI learning blends technical capabilities with creativity, ethics and critical thinking. The Day of AI programme has already reached teachers and students in more than 175 countries through local partnerships, virtual training and teacher-led workshops.
Delegates also participated in hands-on demonstrations of AI-powered learning tools, curriculum design labs and case studies focused on inclusion and digital equity. The World Bank outlined its approach to ensuring equitable distribution of AI benefits across regions.
Schools from the UAE, including Dubai Heights Academy, presented how MIT-developed AI curricula are supporting creative, future-ready and ethically grounded learning in the classroom.
On the final day, the summit continued with sessions examining AI literacy policies, strengthening global partnerships and announcing new collaborative initiatives aimed at scaling AI education—particularly across emerging markets.
The Day of AI Global Summit is part of DP World’s broader effort to advance innovation and education. Through its Global Education Platform, DP World is investing $35 million to reach 1.5 million students worldwide by 2030, with resources focused on STEM, green skills, logistics and technology-driven careers.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, said, “Some people talk about regulation. We in the UAE are pushing for innovation. It’s about a mindset. Our view is that AI is a tool.
“We need to wield it and be the most empowered society. AI gives the capability as a country to scale. A country of 10 million people can never compete with a country that has 100 million or a billion people. However, a country of 10 million people empowered with AI can compete. This is the promise we are trying to realise for the UAE.”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, DP World, added, “Opportunity is shaped by technology – and more and more, by AI. Economies will only grow if people have the skills to navigate the digital age.
“The benefits of AI will only be shared if young people have access to it, and the skills to use it. Through programmes like Day of AI, we are helping to ensure that teachers, students and communities everywhere can take part in this transformation. Together, we can build a world where AI increases opportunity and builds resilience.”
Breazeal, Director, MIT RAISE, said, “The Day of AI Global Summit marks a powerful milestone in our shared mission to make AI education accessible to all. What we are seeing here in Dubai is a truly global community of ministers, educators and innovators, all coming together with a shared belief that every student deserves the opportunity to understand and shape the technologies that are transforming our world.
“Through our collaboration with DP World, we are turning that vision into action, empowering teachers and young people everywhere to use AI responsibly, creatively and for the benefit of everyone.”
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (MIT RAISE) initiative promotes AI literacy, equity, and inclusion through education and research.
By developing accessible curricula and global partnerships—including its flagship Day of AI programme—MIT RAISE empowers teachers and students worldwide to understand and apply artificial intelligence responsibly and creatively.
