Pasi Sahlberg
Professor of Educational Leadership
University of Melbourne
Pasi Sahlberg is Professor in Educational Leadership at the University of Melbourne, Australia. His previous work includes classroom teacher, teacher-educator and education policy leader in Finland. He has also worked as senior education specialist at the World Bank in Washington and with the European Commission in Italy, and as visiting professor at Harvard University. He works alongside teachers, principals, schools, communities, and governments around the world to transform schools and rethink teaching and learning. Pasi is a recipient numerous awards, including the 2012 Education Award in Finland, the 2016 Lego Prize in Denmark, and the 2021 Hedley Beare Award in Australia. He is author of over 20 books, including “Let the Children Play: How more play can save our schools and help children thrive” in 2019, “Finnish Lessons 3.0” in 2021, and “In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to world class schools” in 2021. He lives with his family in South Melbourne.
The digital dilemma: why schools aren’t transforming (yet)
The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic created a unique opportunity to reimagine schooling. Fast forward five years – while many education systems pivoted to tech-integrated curriculum, the anticipated transformation associated with that change has not yet happened.
This keynote will tell you why – and provide you with the missing link to shape your institution into a school of tomorrow.
In this keynote, Pasi will also help you to:
• Explore why schools remain tech-rich but transformation-poor, despite increased investment in digital tools and innovation
• Gain insights into the latest data on what’s working (and what’s not) in education systems worldwide
• Walk away with practical steps to integrate digital literacy, student wellbeing and future-ready learning models in your school
Watch our interview with Pasi Sahlberg
Dr Ng Pak Tee
Associate Professor
National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore
Dr Ng Pak Tee is a Singaporean educator who is deeply involved in the development of school and teacher leaders. At the NIE, he previously served as Associate Dean Leadership Learning, Head of the Policy and Leadership Studies Academic Group, and NIE Academic Integrity Officer. Pak Tee has published extensively on educational change, policy and leadership. He has spoken at many global events, for example, Google Global Education Symposium, International Baccalaureate Global Conference, Yidan Prize Summit and WISE Summit. Pak Tee encourages educators to walk a path not easily travelled, with love, courage and resilience. Although he is thankful for receiving a few awards during his career, his greater reward is a fraternity of students who are educational leaders themselves and who pay it forward through their educational leadership and commitment to education.
Keynote Fireside: Man vs machine: Can AI capture the human heart of education?
This isn’t your usual keynote. In a unique experiment, Artificial Intelligence is tasked to “be” Professor Pasi Sahlberg and Dr Ng Pak Tee, drawing from their landmark works Finnish Lessons and Learning from Singapore. The AI crafts a keynote in their voice – but can a machine truly capture their philosophies, humility and lived experience? In this live fireside, Pasi and Pak Tee listen, critique and reveal where AI shines, where it fails and what it exposes about the limits of technology. Ultimately, the conversation asks: Can AI ever replace educators or only empower a human-driven future?
In this keynote, Dr Ng will be addressing:
• Witness a live demonstration of AI’s strengths and shortcomings in presenting complex educational philosophies
• Learn how to distinguish where AI can enhance education versus where human qualities are irreplaceable
• Envision what a new model of education could look like by 2030, balancing innovation with humanity
Dr Yuhyun Park
Founder & CEO
DQ Institute
Dr Yuhyun Park created the Digital Intelligence (DQ) framework which is the global standard for digital literacy, skills and readiness, endorsed by the OECD, IEEE and the World Economic Forum, and used in over 100 countries worldwide. Dr Park spearheaded #DQEveryChild, a global digital citizenship initiative for children, which has reached more than 80 countries in collaboration with over 100 partner organizations. She also developed the Child Online Safety Index, the first global metric for tracking national progress in children’s online safety, reshaping strategies for child protection in cyberspace and promoting digital wellbeing. Dr Park also introduced the Digital-ESG Standards and Cross Economy framework, establishing a new sustainability paradigm for the digital economy, and is also the author of IQ EQ DQ: New Intelligence in the AI Age and The Dictionary for Economics. Dr Park has been recognised as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, an Ashoka Fellow, and an Eisenhower Fellow, alongside receiving multiple international awards.
AI readiness for youth – empowering every young person with AI literacy
AI and digital literacy are essential competencies for future-ready students, but how clearly do we understand these concepts, and how effectively are they being integrated into classrooms today?
Amid increasing concerns about cyber and AI risks, conversations around AI readiness often remain theoretical, lacking practical solutions. Although numerous frameworks and discussions abound, there is an urgent need to move beyond dialogue and implement scalable and actionable strategies.
This keynote addresses a crucial question: how can educators rapidly, effectively and affordably drive AI readiness in their classrooms?
Participants will be introduced to "AI Readiness for Youth"", a global initiative dedicated to empowering every young individual through AI and digital literacy. The goal? To empower educators – regardless of their prior expertise – to rapidly scale customised, high-quality AI literacy programmes, supported by global standards and data.
As we navigate the evolving education landscape, this keynote will offer a fresh perspective and actionable insights to help every school bridge the gap between theory and practice, and become AI-ready – preparing young people to confidently thrive in an AI-driven world.
In this keynote, Dr Park will also help you to:
• Define AI readiness and AI literacy in the context of education
• Explore practical strategies for schools and policymakers to rapidly scale AI readiness
• Understand how to engage with and contribute the "AI Readiness for Youth" global initiative
Watch our interview with Dr Yuhyun Park
Graham Brown-Martin
Founder
Learning Without Frontiers
Graham Brown-Martin's professional journey includes significant achievements such as designing mobile computers in the 1980s, developing interactive digital music systems in the 1990s, and creating cloud-based storage systems in the early 2000s. In 2004, he founded Learning Without Frontiers, a global think tank that brought together educators, technologists, and creatives to explore the future of learning.
As an accomplished author, Brown-Martin wrote the bestselling book “Learning {Re}imagined,” published by Bloomsbury in 2014.
His work extends to advising governments, creating learning experiences for corporations, and designing educational programs for children. His unique perspective and ability to challenge the status quo have made him a valuable voice in shaping the future of education, work, and society.
Learning {Re}imagined : AI innovation for the 5th Industrial Revolution
A golden age of innovation – one that benefits both people and the planet – is upon us. Realising this future demands bold thinking, reimagined global economics and fair distribution of technological progress.
Ten years ago, Graham Brown-Martin’s book, "Learning {Re}imagined" emerged as a visionary compass for education's future, featuring insights from world-renowned thinkers. Its predictions proved remarkably accurate, foreseeing social media's impact on democracy, AI's emergence and the urgent need for educational transformation.
The book addressed global challenges we now face: climate crisis, pandemics, international conflicts and technological unemployment. Despite experiencing these challenges, our approach to learning remains largely unchanged.
As we transition from the 4th Industrial Revolution into the emerging 5th – an era defined by human-AI collaboration – it's crucial to learn from past insights and anticipate the next decade to stay ahead of the curve. This talk will explore emerging trends that will shape learning in the coming years:
• Personalised AI tutors and adaptive learning systems
• Neurotechnology-enhanced cognitive development
• Emotional intelligence and mental health literacy
As we look ahead, the need for transformation in education has never been more critical. Join Brown-Martin as he explores how we can shape the future of learning, creating a world where individuals and communities are empowered to thrive amidst unprecedented challenges and opportunities – in the next decade and beyond.
In this keynote, attendees will be able to understand
• The evolving role of teachers as learning architects
• Metacognition mastery – learning how to learn
• Tech synergy in learning - for immersive, engaging learning environments that nurture both digital and emotional intelligence
Watch our interview with Graham Brown-Martin
Tricia Davis-Muffett
Senior Director, Chrome Marketing, Commercial and Education
Google for Education
As a senior leader on the Google for Education team, it is my mission to bring the best technology to educators and educational institutions around the world to help improve student outcomes and drive innovation in teaching and learning. With more than 25 years of experience in technology marketing, I have dedicated my career to helping organisations in all sectors, but especially government and education, find and leverage the latest technology to achieve their goals. I hold multiple credentials and honours, including the Project Management Professional, Professional Certified Marketer, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, GovMark Award, Shoestring Award, and Marketer of the Year from AMA-DC. I am passionate about empowering and inspiring teams, and sharing the stories of customers and partners who improve business and educational outcomes.
Leading in the AI era
What if we could...
• ...deliver truly personalised learning experiences?
• ...create high-quality educational content for every student – at scale?
• ...streamline educator workloads, empowering them to channel their focus into what's most important – unlocking their students' potential?
In this keynote, we’ll explore these transformative questions and bring answers closer to reality.
Join Tricia and get ready to:
• Leverage AI to personalise high-quality learning experiences for every student
• Streamline workflows with AI to save time for what truly matters – unlocking the potential of each child
• Reimagine the role of the teacher in an AI-integrated classroom
Eddie Ang
Executive Director & General Manager, Corporate & Public Sector Business, Lenovo Asia Pacific,
Lenovo, Singapore
Eddie Ang is Executive Director, General Manager of Corporate and Public Sector Business at Lenovo in Asia Pacific, overseeing key corporate and public sector business relationships in the region and leading the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) business, Workstation business and Profit Manager teams.
Prior to this appointment, Eddie was the General Manager of Lenovo Singapore and the Chief Operating Officer of Lenovo Southeast Asia. Before joining Lenovo, Eddie was at Dell in business development and product marketing roles.
The role of AI in transforming education approaches
In this session, Eddie will help you understand:
• Exploring how human intelligence and AI can create a new ecosystem of teaching and learning
• Creating learning experiences that harness the potential of Generative AI
• Establishing a collaborative learning environment
Lim Cheng Pier
Director of Education Strategy and Innovation
Samsung Regional Mobile Experience (Southeast Asia & Oceania)
Lim Cheng Pier is passionate about reimagining how students learn and how teachers teach. As Director of Education Strategy and Innovation at Samsung Regional Mobile Experience (Southeast Asia & Oceania), she leads initiatives that empower educators to bring learning to life through technology, creativity, and collaboration. With over 20 years of international experience across Samsung, LEGO, Apple, and Cambridge Assessment English, Cheng Pier has inspired countless educators to embrace hands-on learning, digital transformation, and innovative assessment practices that truly unlock learners’ potential. At Samsung, she champions a connected education ecosystem, where mobile solutions, rich content, and strong partnerships enable meaningful learning experiences for every learner. Beyond her professional role, Cheng Pier also serves on the board of the Singapore Association for Mental Wellness, advocating for well-being as an essential part of education. She holds a MA from the University of Cambridge, a MC (e-Commerce) from the University of Queensland, and a BA (Economics) from Simon Fraser University.
Empowering every educator – no teacher left behind
As AI becomes mainstream in education – with student adoption accelerating and the industry projected to reach USD 6.9 billion by 2025 (Source: Mordor Intelligence) – ensuring educators are empowered has never been more critical.
To leave no educator behind in the age of AI, it is critical to ensure that they are well equipped with relevant skills in navigating the digital age. Today, many educators still lack access to tools that can help them impart relevant digital skills and knowledge to students in a safe and meaningful manner.
Through this keynote, Samsung will share its vision on how a complete solution ecosystem can make technology work for educators In an invisible and smart manner. The vision is to create tech-driven learning environments where educators can focus on imparting skills and knowledge that matter for the next generation.
In this keynote, attendees will be able to…
• Envision how AI and other advanced technology can potentially shift learning landscape
• How to better prepare themselves for ever-evolving technology developments
• Understand how tech companies can support educators and educational institutions in a digital-first education environment
Dr Christopher McCormick
Chief Academic Officer
Efekta Education Group
Dr Christopher McCormick is an international education specialist with over 30 years of experience championing innovation in language teaching and learning. As Chief Academic Officer of Efekta Education Group, he oversees the learning design of AI-powered interactive curricula that help to transform education for good. Throughout his career, he has contributed to major programs for schools, companies, and international organizations such as the UN and the Olympics. Christopher grew up in Texas, then later studied and worked in New Orleans, Paris, Monterrey, Austin, Boston, Shanghai, London, Zug, Lucerne, Colombo, Phnom Penh, Beijing, and Bangkok. He obtained a PhD in Applied Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin, and he has served in executive roles for EF Education First and as an associate faculty member of Hult Ashridge Executive Education. As a lifelong explorer and the spouse of a diplomat, Christopher shares his passion for intercultural understanding that comes through language learning and cultural discovery.
Supercharging teachers with AI tutors and teaching assistants
Education is at a tipping point. Schools worldwide face teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and the challenge of giving every student the support they need to succeed. AI tutors and teaching assistants are emerging as powerful solutions—delivering real-time personalised learning, easing teacher workload and driving measurable improvements in engagement and progress. In this keynote, Dr Christopher McCormick, Chief Academic Officer at Efekta Education Group, will share results from large-scale deployments and explore how pilot programs can be designed to integrate AI responsibly and at scale – transforming education from incremental change to lasting, system-wide impact.
Join Dr Christopher and get ready to:
• Understanding real world impact of AI in education through insights from large scale deployments
• Exploring and learn practical models for piloting AI in schools
• Discovering how AI can move education beyond incremental change to school wide innovation, reshaping how subjects are taught and learned
Stefania Giannini
Assistant Director-General for Education
UNESCO, France
Stefania Giannini is the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, a role she's held since May 2018. A prominent figure in global education, she leads the coordination of the Education 2030 Agenda and has strengthened UNESCO's role in global education architecture. She's an advocate for inclusive and innovative education, reaffirming UNESCO's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the 2022 UN Transforming Education Summit. Believing in partnership, she has mobilized coalitions like the Global Education Coalition and the Greening Education Partnership. With a PhD in Linguistics, Giannini served as Rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia and as Minister of Education, Universities, and Research for Italy. She also served as Senator of the Republic. Her thought leadership has led to invitations to serve on various high-level committees and advisory boards.
Special Video Address: AI and the future of education: disruptions, dilemmas and directions
In this message, Assistant Director-General for Education, Stefania Giannini, shares UNESCO’s perspective on how AI is disrupting teaching and learning, the complex questions it raises for educators and policymakers and the directions needed to ensure education remains inclusive, equitable and human-centred in a fast-changing world.
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