Amman, 20 October – As artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies, education systems and the future of work, experts emphasized the need for institutions and individuals to adapt to the profound changes brought about by the technology.
Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Cultural Forum on Monday evening under the title “Education, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” speakers stressed that the world is experiencing a period of uncertainty driven by the rapid advancement of AI.
The session featured Dr. Munther Dahleh and Dr. Jinane Abounadi, and was moderated by Dr. Yazan Hijazi, with the participation of a large audience of educators, innovators and professionals.
The speakers said the impact of the AI revolution now extends beyond automating routine tasks to reshaping intellectual and creative work, creating new opportunities for economic growth and knowledge production. However, they warned that the benefits of this transformation may not be shared equally, as differences in technological capacity and preparedness could widen existing gaps between societies.
They identified education as a critical starting point for responding to these changes, arguing that the conversation should extend beyond the adoption of AI tools in schools and universities to a broader reassessment of educational priorities. With information and analysis available in seconds, they said, greater emphasis must be placed on developing critical thinking, analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills rather than rote learning.
The speakers also highlighted the need for educational institutions to adapt to the fast-evolving AI landscape through teacher training, curriculum development and stronger safeguards for academic integrity.
While AI can significantly reduce both time and costs, they pointed to concerns surrounding the concentration of data, computing power and advanced technologies in the hands of a limited number of companies and countries. Such concentration, they said, raises questions related to knowledge monopolies, intellectual property and technological dependence.
They described entrepreneurship as the bridge between ideas and economic opportunities, noting that entrepreneurs can now establish businesses, develop products, conduct market research and reach customers more efficiently and at lower cost.
The discussion highlighted promising opportunities in educational technology, healthcare innovation, digital services and Arabic-language content. However, these opportunities are accompanied by challenges including access to funding, the dominance of global platforms, the pace of technological change and the difficulty of building sustainable business models.
Dr. Munther Dahleh is the William A. Coolidge Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a member of the institute’s Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS).
Dr. Jinane Abounadi serves as Executive Director of the MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program at MIT. She brings extensive experience spanning academic research as well as operational and strategic leadership roles in both startups and large organizations.