Artificial Intelligence NewsFeed

NUS Launches Acacia College for AI Focus

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is set to launch its fifth residential college, Acacia College, which will focus on artificial intelligence (AI). The college, which will open in August, will accommodate 100 first-year students and 100 second-year students who will serve as mentors. Associate Professor Heng Cheng Suang from NUS' School of Computing will be the master of the college. The two-year interdisciplinary academic programme at Acacia College will focus on human-machine interactions, with courses in digital literacy and AI knowledge. Additionally, NUS is introducing an AI Talent Scholarship for 20 freshmen in AI-related degree programmes, which will cover tuition fees, accommodation allowances, and a travel grant for overseas programmes.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2025/01/30/national-university-of-singapore-to-open-acacia-college-in-august-first-residential-college-focused-on-ai/164973

Aila Revolutionizes Education at David Game College

The UK government is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system called "Aila" to assist educators with lesson planning and correction, aligned with the national curriculum. In a pilot program at David Game College, students are being taught by "learning coaches", who are qualified teachers but lack subject matter expertise, instead focusing on guiding students through AI-powered learning systems. These coaches also mentor students in skills such as debating and financial literacy.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/29/world/uks-first-ai-classroom-without-teachers-sparks-debate/2046716

Abhinav Kamballoor Kottayil Wins Top Student Award

The Samsung Innovation Campus programme is an initiative that aims to equip university-aged individuals with skills in coding and AI, regardless of their field of study. The programme, which is open to students from diverse backgrounds, has seen its largest batch yet, comprising students from 26 nationalities. This year's graduates included three students who received a top student award for their outstanding achievements, including Abhinav Kamballoor Kottayil, who developed an emotional recognition system using facial recognition technology as part of his capstone project. The programme, which is hosted by the UAE in partnership with Samsung, focuses on teaching basic maths and algebra subjects before moving on to more advanced topics like machine learning and deep learning.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-over-100-students-graduate-from-national-coding-programme-open-to-citizens-residents

Google's Kent Walker on AI Education Push

Google, led by Alphabet, is proactively shaping public perception and policy on artificial intelligence as governments around the world prepare to implement regulations on AI. To achieve this goal, Google aims to develop educational programs that train workers on AI, with the ultimate objective of increasing familiarity with AI among individuals, organizations, and governments. This initiative is spearheaded by Kent Walker, Alphabet's president of global affairs, who believes that a greater understanding of AI will lead to better policy-making and open up new opportunities.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/01/27/tech/google-educate-workers-lawmakers-ai/

PolyU Partners with IBM for AI-Driven Education

Hong Kong's Polytechnic University (PolyU) has partnered with an industry partner to advance AI applications in educational environments, focusing on improving teaching methods and student outcomes. The collaboration aims to position Hong Kong as a leader in EdTech innovation by equipping students with the knowledge and capabilities needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. Through AI-driven platforms, students will experience a more tailored and interactive learning process, with content and teaching methods adapted to suit individual learners' needs. The partnership also includes academic and cultural exchange programmes to promote cross-cultural learning and encourage the sharing of knowledge and expertise.

https://opengovasia.com/2025/01/27/hong-kong-polyu-advancing-ai-powered-edtech-innovation/

Google Partners Punjab Schools in AI Initiative

Google for Education has partnered with the Punjab government, including the Punjab School Education Department and the Punjab Education Foundation, to introduce AI interventions in the education system of primary and secondary schools in Punjab. This partnership is a continuation of Google's previous work with the Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training, which provided Chromebooks to students to access quality and secure education. Under this new agreement, 200,000 students will benefit from a Digital ID powered by Gemini, providing them with access to learning tools and resources. The local partner Tech Valley will also provide an internet safety training program called Digital Safar to ensure the children have a safe online learning experience while gaining skills like coding.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40344510/google-punjab-govt-partner-on-digital-transformation-of-education

Dr. Chakrabarty's AI-Driven Learning Revolution

Dr. Sreejit Chakrabarty, Director of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at GEMS Dubai American Academy, emphasizes the importance of metacognitive strategies in education. He notes that by reflecting on their learning habits, students can identify effective approaches to achieve better outcomes and develop independent learning skills necessary for adapting to a rapidly changing world.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/education/uae-how-schools-are-using-ai-metacognition-to-develop-self-monitoring-skills-in-student

Knowledge Hub's Inclusive EdTech Revolution in Dubai

Knowledge Hub, a Dubai-based EdTech company, has partnered with SpEd@school to launch an inclusive educational programme that uses AI-driven solutions for students with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other developmental needs. The platform provides personalized learning plans, real-time feedback, and data-driven insights to support students, educators, and families. The pilot programme is currently being tested in two schools in Dubai, with the goal of rolling out a broader rollout. The platform aims to make learning more structured, interactive, and engaging for both students and parents by providing detailed reports on progress in areas such as literacy, numeracy, cognitive development, and motor skills. Parents can use this information to support their child's learning at home, while features like gamified learning tools and sensory labs ensure that children remain engaged and motivated. Experts believe that AI-powered platforms hold immense potential to transform education by enabling personalized learning plans. They can analyze a student's past performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and craft tailored learning pathways. By training local AI models with historical and current data, educators can create a highly individualized approach for each learner without significant financial investment. The platform is particularly beneficial for People of Determination (PODs), who often experience discrimination and limited opportunities for education. AI-powered platforms can help address this gap by detecting potential issues early and enabling timely interventions, which can be crucial for long-term success.

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/uae-introduces-new-educational-model-to-support-kids-with-invisible-disabilities

AI in Philippine Education: A Systemic Challenge?

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the education sector has sparked global discussion, particularly its potential to provide personalized learning, increase access to quality education, and streamline administrative tasks. However, it is unclear whether AI can effectively address the systemic challenges, resource constraints, and diversity issues that are characteristic of the Philippine education system.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/23/campus-press/ph-education-at-crossroads-of-ai/2043075