World Bank EduTech Podcast

In today's episode, Roberta Malee Bassett (World Bank) speaks with Jason Morphew (Purdue University) and Jesús Rosario (Coursera) about what generative artificial intelligence means for tertiary education and the future of work. Building on the AI in Education Global Community of Interest session held in January, and drawing on related World Bank work in this space, including initiatives suppo...

In today's episode, Bob Hawkins (World Bank) speaks with Tatenda Marshall (Impact Hub Harare), Eugene Ramirez Mampondera (Lightbulbs and Lazers), and Spencer Jaka, a participant in the EVOKE pilot in Zimbabwe. The conversation explores how AI is helping young people develop creative and digital skills, apply them to real-world challenges, and access new opportunities within the creative econom...

In this episode, Bob Hawkins speaks with Muluneh Atinaf , Senior Advisor at the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia, and Ashvina Parboteeah , ICT Manager at the Ministry of Education in Mauritius. Recorded during the World Bank EdTech Policy Academy, the conversation explores how ministries are developing EdTech strategies, expanding digital infrastructure, and integrating AI into education systems...

Today, Bob Hawkins speaks with Nawaz Aslam from the EdTech Hub and Roy Manzi of Manzia AI to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping what students need to learn and how education systems can assess those skills. Building on themes from the recent AI for Assessment webinar hosted by the EdTech Hub and the World Bank, the discussion highlights the growing importance of 21st century competen...

In this episode, Bob Hawkins speaks with Emanudin Amin, a student at Misrak Polytechnic College in Ethiopia, whose own experience moving through different school systems motivated him to create Mindshift, an AI-powered platform designed to help teachers personalize learning. Emanudin explains how Mindshift uses student data to support teachers, generate lesson plans and assessments, and identify s...

Today, we dive into how artificial intelligence is reshaping classrooms and learning experiences around the world. Bob Hawkins, Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education at the World Bank, speaks with Joleen Liang, Co-founder of Squirrel AI, Srikanth Talapadi, Managing Director at Chimple, and Daniel Plaut, Innovation Learning Lead at the EdTech Hub. Together they unpack some of the b...

In this episode, we explore whether artificial intelligence can truly help close the higher education gap in Latin America and the Caribbean, or if it risks leaving more students behind. Jaime Saavedra, Director for Human Development in Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank, speaks with Ezequiel Molina, Senior Economist at the Bank and co-author of a new report on  AI Revolution in hig...

En este episodio, presentado por Lucía Blasco del equipo de EdTech, conversamos sobre cómo la Universidad de los Andes en Colombia ha logrado avanzar en su proceso de transformación digital. Nos acompañan Leonardo Lima (IFC) y Harold Enrique Castro Barrera , vicerrector de Transformación Digital de UniAndes. Hablamos de los aprendizajes institucionales tras cinco años de implementación del program...

In this episode, Carrol Chang, CEO of Andela, and Juliana Ospina, Global EdTech Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), join Bob Hawkins from the World Bank to explore how digital skills and AI are unlocking new job opportunities for youth, especially in Africa. They unpack the rise of demand-driven, scalable training models, the power of global talent marketplaces and the importance...

In this episode, World Bank’s Bob Hawkins speaks with three EdTech leaders working to deliver quality education in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Luke Stannard (Can’t Wait to Learn – War Child Alliance), Claire Mongeau (M-Shule), and Kate Radford (EdTech Hub) share how their organisations are using innovation and collaboration to support refugee learners and out-of-school child...

In today’s episode, Robert Fogel, Global Education Architect at Microsoft, joins Bob Hawkins from the World Bank EdTech Team to discuss how Artificial Intelligence can help education systems make smarter use of data to improve learning. They explore how AI-powered Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) can strengthen decision-making, support better planning, and drive stronger outcomes fo...

In today's episode, World Bank Director for Global Education Luis Benveniste joins Bob Hawkins, Ekua Bentil and Alex Twinomugisha, from the EdTeach Team, to talk about how education systems can prepare young people for the future of work. They reflect on the Bank's jobs agenda, the need to invest in both foundational and digital skills, and the role AI could play in transforming education...

In today’s episode, World Bank’s Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education, Bob Hawkins , talks with Laylah Bulman , Senior Program Manager at Minecraft Education, about how games are transforming learning. They explore how game mechanics boost engagement, AI’s role in education, and the 21st-century skills students need. Laylah shares insights from her work in Ghana with UNICEF’s  Le...

In today’s episode, World Bank's Global Lead for Technology and Innovation in Education, Bob Hawkins, hosts a fascinating conversation on the intersection of technology, skills, and employability. World Bank’s Guillermo Tovar explores Ethiopia’s Education and Skills for Employability (EASE) project and its innovative use of results-based financing to train and place youth in employment. Rita F...

In today's episode, World Bank Senior Economist Juan Baron discusses with Haani Mazari, from the EdTech Hub, and World Bank Education Specialist Martin De Simone, the practical implementation of artificial intelligence in education. The conversation highlights the promising results of a pilot program in Nigeria and explores strategies for scaling AI tools in developing contexts. Key themes include...

In this episode of the World Bank EdTech Podcast, we explore how open-source software can expand education access and improve quality. Bob Hawkins moderates a discussion with Bernd Roggendorf (EIDU), Lea Simpson (EdTech Hub), and Barnabas Sang (Ministry of Education, Kenya).They examine the challenges and opportunities of scaling EdTech, the transformative potential of open-source tools, and strat...

En este episodio especial, en español, Jaime Saavedra, director de Desarrollo Humano para América Latina y el Caribe del Banco Mundial, y Eugenio Severin, experto en innovación educativa y ex asesor del Ministerio de Educación de Chile, reflexionan sobre el potencial de la Inteligencia Artificial para apoyar a los docentes en la región.   Durante la conversación, exploramos las grandes brechas edu...

In today’s episode, the World Bank EdTech team looks ahead to 2025, exploring key trends for the future. Bob Hawkins, Alex Twinomugisha, Ekua Bentil, and Cristobal Cobo discuss AI’s evolving role in education, the focus on digital skills, and the push for resilient, adaptable systems. They also address the importance of sustainable AI and responsive policies. Links: From Chalkboards to Chatbots in...

Welcome back to our podcast! In today’s episode, the World Bank EdTech team reflects on the top EdTech trends of 2024. Bob Hawkins, Alex Twinomugisha, Ekua Bentil, and Cristobal Cobo discuss the growth in investment, the impact of generative AI, and the need for better digital infrastructure. They share insights on how these changes are reshaping teachers’ roles and advancing personalized learning...

In today's episode, we explore the concept of AI literacy to understand what it means and how it can help students and teachers in navigating the disruptions that AI will likely pose to education systems. Maria Barron, Education Technology Specialist at the World Bank, speaks with Pati Ruiz, Senior Director of EdTech at Digital Promise, and Jennifer Rubin, Principal Investigator of the Digital...

Bienvenidos al podcast de EdTech del Banco Mundial. En este episodio, continuamos con la serie 'Youth Voices', dedicada a explorar las opiniones de los jóvenes sobre la integración de las nuevas tecnologías en la educación, centrándonos en el uso de la inteligencia artificial dentro y fuera de las aulas. Hoy contamos con la participación de dos expertos del Banco Mundial en el campo educat...

Welcome to a special episode on how to better choose EdTech solutions. Today, we're discussing the development and use of Tulna, an innovative tool that was created through a partnership between the Educational Technology department at IIT Bombay and the Central Square Foundation (CSF) in India. Tulna provides a framework to help governments choose better EdTech solutions. Join Juan Barón , Se...

Welcome to a special episode of our new series that puts youth voices front and center. Today, we're discussing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education and employment from the perspective of students. This conversation is particularly relevant as the World Bank's EdTech team focuses on leveraging technology to improve education, bringing students essential digital skills for the future,...

In today's episode, we will explore how the World Bank and the Mastercard Foundation are joining efforts to tackle challenges and seize opportunities in Africa's evolving EdTech landscape, with a focus on engaging the broader ecosystem. Join us as we discuss the innovative and inspiring approaches across different countries to navigate this dynamic reality, guiding youth towards a better e...

In today's episode, we will explore the complexities of teaching digital and 21st-century skills in emerging markets. We'll delve into how technology can redefine traditional classroom boundaries, examining its potential to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. We'll discuss the importance of digital and data literacies, along with computational thinking, in preparing stude...