Prof. Irene Khajalia: Education and the Transformative Power of Artificial Intelligence

How Human Values Must Guide the Next Revolution in Learning

By Prof. Irene Khajalia, Speaker of Global Education Forum 2026 Davos
Academic Principal of ETI Holding
Honorary Professor, University of Cambridge
Honorary Doctor, Universities of Oxford and Harvard

The Greatest Transformation Since the Industrial Revolution

Every generation experiences technological breakthroughs that redefine society. The printing press democratized knowledge, electricity transformed industry, and the internet connected humanity on an unprecedented scale. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) represents another historic turning point—one whose impact may surpass all previous technological revolutions.

Nowhere is this transformation more significant than in education.

Schools and universities are no longer preparing students for a stable labour market where professions remain unchanged for decades. Instead, they must equip learners for a future characterized by continuous technological disruption, lifelong learning, and rapid adaptation. As AI reshapes every sector of the global economy, education faces a defining question:

Will technology merely automate learning, or will it elevate human potential?

The answer depends not on artificial intelligence itself, but on the values that guide its development and application.

Education Has Always Been More Than Knowledge

Education has never been simply about transferring information from one generation to another.

Its deeper purpose is to shape responsible citizens, ethical leaders, innovative thinkers, and compassionate human beings.

The most successful education systems cultivate qualities that extend beyond academic achievement. They develop critical thinking, emotional intelligence, creativity, integrity, cultural understanding, collaboration, and the ability to solve complex problems.

These human capabilities remain essential in an age increasingly influenced by intelligent machines.

While AI can process vast amounts of information within seconds, it cannot replace wisdom, empathy, ethical judgement, or the ability to inspire others.

These remain uniquely human strengths.

Education must therefore continue to nurture the qualities that technology cannot replicate.

Artificial Intelligence as an Educational Partner

Artificial Intelligence should not be viewed as a threat to education.

Instead, it has the potential to become one of its most powerful partners.

Properly designed and responsibly implemented, AI enables highly personalised learning experiences that were previously impossible.

Traditional classrooms often require one teacher to meet the needs of dozens of students simultaneously, despite significant differences in learning pace, interests, and abilities.

AI changes this model.

Intelligent learning systems can analyse individual progress, identify knowledge gaps, recommend personalised learning pathways, and provide immediate feedback tailored to each learner.

This allows education to become more adaptive, inclusive, and student-centred.

Teachers, in turn, gain greater freedom to focus on mentoring, creativity, emotional support, and developing higher-order thinking rather than repetitive administrative tasks.

Rather than replacing educators, AI can amplify their impact.

Expanding Access to Quality Education

One of AI's greatest promises lies in its ability to democratise education.

Millions of children and adults around the world continue to face barriers caused by geography, economic inequality, disability, conflict, or limited educational infrastructure.

Artificial intelligence offers opportunities to overcome many of these obstacles.

AI-powered translation tools reduce language barriers.

Adaptive learning platforms support students with different abilities.

Virtual tutors provide assistance regardless of location.

Digital assessment systems offer continuous feedback even in remote communities.

These innovations create possibilities for extending high-quality education to learners who have historically been underserved.

If implemented equitably, AI can become a powerful force for educational inclusion.

Ethical Principles Must Guide Innovation

Technological capability alone does not guarantee positive outcomes.

Every innovation reflects the values embedded within it.

Artificial Intelligence therefore requires a strong ethical framework that places human dignity above technological efficiency.

Five principles should guide the future development of AI in education:

• Fairness, ensuring equal opportunities for all learners regardless of background.

• Transparency, allowing educators and students to understand how AI systems make decisions.

• Accountability, maintaining clear human responsibility for educational outcomes.

• Inclusivity, designing technologies accessible to diverse learners and cultures.

• Respect for Human Dignity, recognising that education serves people—not algorithms.

Without these principles, AI risks reinforcing existing inequalities rather than reducing them.

Responsible governance is therefore essential to ensuring that technological progress benefits society as a whole.

The Irreplaceable Role of Teachers

Despite extraordinary technological advances, one truth remains unchanged:

Great teachers change lives.

Artificial Intelligence can answer questions.

Teachers inspire curiosity.

AI can analyse performance.

Teachers recognise potential.

AI can recommend learning resources.

Teachers build confidence, character, and hope.

The future classroom will therefore not eliminate educators.

Instead, it will redefine their role.

Teachers will become mentors, coaches, facilitators, ethical guides, and leaders of learning communities.

As routine instructional tasks become increasingly automated, the uniquely human dimensions of education will become even more valuable.

Preparing Learners for an AI-Driven World

Artificial Intelligence is changing not only how students learn but also what they need to learn.

Many routine tasks will become automated across industries.

Consequently, future success will depend increasingly on skills that complement intelligent technologies rather than compete with them.

Education must therefore place greater emphasis on:

• critical and systems thinking;

• creativity and innovation;

• ethical reasoning;

• emotional intelligence;

• intercultural communication;

• entrepreneurship;

• collaboration;

• digital literacy;

• adaptability and lifelong learning.

These competencies will enable future generations to work effectively alongside AI while leading organisations and societies with wisdom and responsibility.

The goal is not to educate students for today's professions but to prepare them for careers, challenges, and opportunities that do not yet exist.

Education as a Foundation for Peace

The significance of education extends far beyond economic development.

Education remains humanity's strongest instrument for building peaceful societies.

People who learn to think critically are less vulnerable to misinformation.

People who understand different cultures are more likely to resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than confrontation.

People educated in ethics and empathy contribute to stronger democracies, more resilient communities, and greater social cohesion.

Artificial Intelligence can strengthen this mission by expanding access to quality education, encouraging international collaboration, and fostering global knowledge exchange.

Used responsibly, AI becomes not only a technological innovation but also a catalyst for intercultural understanding and international cooperation.

A Shared Global Responsibility

Building an educational system that successfully integrates Artificial Intelligence cannot be achieved by educators alone.

It requires collaboration among governments, universities, schools, technology companies, researchers, international organisations, and policymakers.

Investment in educational innovation must be accompanied by investment in ethical governance.

Curricula must evolve alongside technology.

Teacher preparation must be continuously updated.

Public policy must ensure that digital transformation benefits every learner rather than widening existing inequalities.

The future of education depends upon collective leadership.

The Future Is Human-Centred

Artificial Intelligence will undoubtedly transform education.

However, technology alone will never determine the future.

The defining factor will always be the choices humanity makes.

Education should remain firmly rooted in human values while embracing technological innovation that expands opportunity and strengthens society.

Knowledge must continue to serve wisdom.

Innovation must continue to serve humanity.

Progress must continue to serve peace.

When education combines the transformative capabilities of Artificial Intelligence with compassion, ethics, creativity, and responsible leadership, it becomes one of the greatest forces for sustainable development and global prosperity.

The future of education is therefore not a competition between humans and machines.

It is a partnership in which technology empowers people to become wiser, more compassionate, and better prepared to shape a peaceful and inclusive world for generations to come.

Elena Günbeyi: Beyond IQ - Preparing Children to Create the Future

Elena Günbeyi Presents a New Vision of Education at Global Education Forum 2026 Davos

Davos, Switzerland | Global Education Forum 2026

As Artificial Intelligence rapidly transforms economies, workplaces, and entire industries, one question dominated discussions at the Global Education Forum 2026, held during Global Business Week Davos:

Are today's schools preparing children for tomorrow—or for yesterday?

In one of the forum's most forward-looking presentations, Elena Günbeyi, Head of the International Franchise Department of MINIBOSS Business School International Educational Network (United Kingdom), argued that the greatest challenge facing modern education is no longer the lack of information.

It is the inability of educational systems to evolve as rapidly as the world around them.

Her presentation, "Beyond IQ: Preparing Children to Create the Future," challenged traditional assumptions about intelligence, success, and the very purpose of education in the age of Artificial Intelligence.

Evan Yang: The Future of Business Owners

Why the World's Most Important Profession Needs a New Educational Model

By Evan Yang
Founder & Chairman, Biz Civilization International (BCI)
Founder, Business Owner School

Who Will Shape the Future?

Artificial Intelligence is transforming every industry, every profession, and every economy. Machines are becoming smarter, automation is accelerating, and data is redefining decision-making. Yet amid this technological revolution, one fundamental question remains:

Who will lead the future?

Technology can provide answers. Only people can ask the right questions.

At BIGBOSS World Business Forum 2026 during Global Business Week Davos, entrepreneur and educator Evan Yang presented a compelling vision for the future of entrepreneurship—one that places education, leadership, and human values at the center of economic progress.

His presentation, "The Future of Business Owners: Building Business Civilization Through Education," challenged one of the greatest paradoxes of modern society: the people who make some of the world's most important decisions often receive no formal education designed specifically for their role.

The World's Most Influential Profession Without a School

Throughout history, every profession entrusted with significant responsibility has required structured education.

Doctors attend medical schools before treating patients.

Pilots spend years in flight training before flying commercial aircraft.

Architects, engineers, lawyers, scientists, and teachers all follow carefully designed educational pathways before entering their professions.

Yet business owners—whose decisions influence employees, families, investors, customers, entire industries, and national economies—are often expected to learn solely through experience.

This educational gap has become increasingly significant in an era where entrepreneurship shapes global prosperity.

Business ownership is no longer simply about managing a company.

It is about leading people, creating innovation, solving complex global challenges, and building organizations capable of serving society for generations.

The question is no longer:

"How do we build better companies?"

The more important question has become:

"How do we educate better business owners?"

Elena Li Presents a New Vision for Economic Development at Global Business Week 2026 Davos

Davos, Switzerland | BIGBOSS 2026 World Business Forum 

At the Global Business Week Davos, Elena Li presented a forward-looking vision of sustainable economic development based on the integration of industry, innovation, education, entrepreneurship, and international cooperation.

In her presentation, "Sustainable Economic Organization for All Countries of the World," she emphasized that long-term prosperity cannot be achieved through economic growth alone. Sustainable development requires a balanced ecosystem where advanced manufacturing, technological innovation, quality education, responsible leadership, and global partnerships work together to create lasting value for society.

Elena Li introduced several strategic initiatives designed to support this vision, including the international expansion of Dolce-Pharm, the development of the Alatau Innovation Health Park (AIHP)—an ecosystem uniting healthcare, science, artificial intelligence, industry, and investment—and the growth of the Alliance for Innovative and Industrial Development (AIID), which connects governments, businesses, universities, and international organizations.

A central focus of her presentation was the International Academy of Business Administration (IABA), established to educate a new generation of entrepreneurs, executives, and organizational leaders. The Academy provides practical executive education in strategic management, business scaling, leadership, and operational excellence, preparing professionals to lead sustainable businesses in a rapidly changing global economy.

Elena Li also invited international investors, corporations, universities, development institutions, and government organizations to join these initiatives through strategic partnerships, investment, and educational collaboration.

Closing her presentation, she delivered a powerful message:

"The economy of the future must serve people. It must create opportunities, strengthen education, encourage innovation, and build trust among nations. By bringing together entrepreneurs, governments, scientists, investors, and educators, we can build a sustainable global economic ecosystem where the success of every nation contributes to the prosperity of the world. Let us build that future together."

Her presentation highlighted an important conclusion of the Global Education Forum: the strongest economies of the future will be those that invest not only in technology and industry, but also in education, leadership, innovation, and international cooperation.

Ira Gira: Building Expertise, Influence, and Lasting Impact

Why Knowledge Is the Foundation of Leadership in the Modern World

In today's rapidly changing world, every professional is encouraged to speak up, share ideas, and become a leader. Yet the ability to speak is not enough. True influence is not created by the loudest voice in the room, but by the most informed one.

At the Global Business Week Davos 2026, one presentation challenged participants to rethink what it truly means to lead. Titled "Find Your Voice," the session explored how individuals can transform professional expertise into meaningful influence that shapes organizations, industries, and society.

The presentation was built around two simple but powerful principles:

• Develop deep subject-matter expertise in a field that reflects both professional relevance and personal conviction.

• Use that expertise to build influence, create meaningful impact, and ensure your perspective contributes to important decisions.

These principles resonate across every profession and every stage of a career.

Every Voice Needs a Foundation

The inspiration behind "Find Your Voice" comes from the Hindi word "Gira," meaning "voice."

The message is universal.

Every individual deserves to have a voice.

But having a voice alone is not enough.

The real challenge is developing the confidence, knowledge, and credibility necessary for that voice to influence others.

In today's knowledge economy, credibility is earned through expertise.

People listen not simply because someone speaks with confidence, but because they recognize genuine competence. Influence begins with understanding.

For the first time in African history! 12-Year-Old South African MiniBoss Student Makes History as Startup World Cup Champion in Switzerland

Davos, Switzerland – South Africa is celebrating a historic achievement after 12-year-old Lubanzi Dube, a MiniBoss Business School Johannesburg student and founder of SolEase, was crowned in the SIFE MiniBoss League at the Startup World Cup Championship, held during Global Business Week in Davos, Switzerland.

Lubanzi's victory marks a significant milestone for South African youth entrepreneurship, with Team South Africa becoming the first South African team to win the Startup World Cup Championship in the SIFE MiniBoss League. Competing against outstanding young entrepreneurs from countries around the world, Lubanzi impressed the international judging panel with SolEase—an innovative business developing orthotic insoles and supportive footwear for people living with flat feet.

Inspired by his own personal experience, Lubanzi transformed a challenge into an entrepreneurial opportunity, demonstrating how innovation often begins by solving problems close to home.

His success is a testament to the power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Rather than simply creating a product, Lubanzi built a business focused on improving lives while addressing a growing healthcare need through practical, accessible innovation.

Developed through MiniBoss Business School Johannesburg, Lubanzi has spent the past 5 months learning entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation through hands-on business education lead by Wendy Silinyana. The programme equips young people with the knowledge and practical experience to identify opportunities, build sustainable businesses and confidently compete on international platforms.

The championship victory reflects not only Lubanzi's dedication and resilience, but also the growing capability of South Africa's young entrepreneurs to compete alongside the very best in the world.

"This achievement demonstrates what becomes possible when young people are trusted with real opportunities to innovate and lead," said Wendy Silinyana, Director of MiniBoss Business School Johannesburg. "Lubanzi has shown that age is not a limitation to creating meaningful solutions with global relevance. His success is an inspiration to young innovators across South Africa and the African continent."

As SolEase continues its journey, the international recognition gained through the Startup World Cup Championship is expected to open new opportunities for collaboration, market expansion and future growth.

Lubanzi Dube's remarkable achievement is more than a personal victory—it is a proud moment for South Africa and a powerful reminder that the country's next generation of entrepreneurs is already shaping the future through innovation, courage and determination.

From Johannesburg to Davos, Lubanzi Dube has shown the world that South African innovation knows no age limits, and that the future of entrepreneurship is already here.