In a world where AI is reshaping every industry, schools face a new challenge: how do we prepare young people, especially girls, to thrive in an AI-driven future? In this episode of Dare to Disrupt, host Dare sits down with Abeda, Senior Director of Digital Learning at GEMS Wellington International School Dubai, GEMS Education AI Excellence Fellow, and the visionary behind the Girls in AI initiative, to explore what leadership truly looks like in the EdTech and AI era.

Together, they unpack how schools can bridge the gap between industry expectations and classroom reality. Abeda shares how the Girls in AI programme is opening doors for young women through mentorship, industry engagement, and authentic exposure to technology, empowering them to lead, innovate, and imagine what is possible. She also discusses how parents can be supported through cybersecurity awareness and practical guidance to help keep children safe online as they navigate digital learning spaces.

The conversation also explores her inclusive leadership approach, the ethical use of AI in schools, and how well-designed learning experiences can enhance critical thinking. Abeda discusses how she supports teachers not just through training but through an AI Core Team model that creates a ripple effect across the school, ensuring every teacher feels confident, supported, and ready to drive change.

We also delve into how enterprise, innovation, and sustainability are important pillars, that align with the National Agenda, and how we can integrate them our practices to ensure that transformation is intentional, coherent, and future-focused.

This episode is a powerful reminder that the future of education is not simply about adopting technology. It is about courageous leadership, equity of opportunity, and preparing every learner to thrive in an AI-powered world.

In this thought-provoking episode of Dare2Disrupt, Dare Pitan sits down with Victor Sosanya, keynote speaker, founder of The Valuable Community, and member of the Foundation for Education Development’s Learners Stakeholder Council. From advising policymakers at No.10 Downing Street to mentoring young professionals through his peer-to-peer network, Victor is redefining what leadership and purpose mean in an AI-driven world.

Together, Dare and Victor explore how AI is reshaping education, employability, and leadership, and why the next generation’s greatest advantage isn’t just technical skill, but the ability to stay human in a digital age, and why empathy, curiosity and critical thinking are vital skills these days.

If you’re passionate about employability and the future of workforce or you are an educator, EdTech leader, researcher, or policymaker, this conversation is packed with insights you can use right now to shape your approach.

Share your thoughts and leave a review at www.d2dpodcast.com, subscribe to Dare to Disrupt on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more conversations on AI in Education, EdTech innovation, and the future of education, and don’t forget to follow us on social @d2disrupt for bonus clips and resources.

Stay curious, stay disruptive!

As AI becomes deeply woven into higher education, one question keeps surfacing: What are we really assessing in this new era of learning?

In this episode of Dare to Disrupt, host Dare Pitan is joined by Dr. Asim Bashir, Lecturer and Assessment Coordinator at a British University in Dubai, to explore how assessment, academic integrity, and teaching practices are evolving in the age of AI.

Together, they unpack why some students lean more heavily on AI than others, the realities behind higher education’s perceived “slow” adoption of technology, and how governance and policy shape responsible innovation. Dr. Bashir shares insights on moving from product-based to process-focused assessment and designing tasks that strengthen critical thinking. He also mentioned is research findings about building confidence among academics through clarity, community of practice and collaboration.

This conversation is a candid, forward-looking reflection on how educators can embrace AI and rethink assessments in this ever-evolving education landscape.

If you’re an educator, EdTech leader, researcher, or policymaker, this conversation is packed with insights you can use right now to shape your approach to AI in academic research and teaching.

Share your thoughts and leave a review at www.d2dpodcast.com, subscribe to Dare to Disrupt on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more conversations on AI in Education, EdTech innovation, and the future of education, and don’t forget to follow us on social @d2disrupt for bonus clips and resources.

Stay curious, stay disruptive!