The General Directorate of Education in Jeddah Governorate, represented by the Educational Performance Department (Student Activities Section), launched the “Artificial Intelligence Hour” event, a qualitative initiative aimed at empowering teachers, school leaders and students with the tools of the digital age, specifically generative technologies, within the framework of a strategic partnership with the global company “Microsoft” and the National Institute for Educational Professional Development.
The context of digital transformation and Vision 2030
This step comes in response to the demands of the current phase, which is witnessing a significant acceleration in the integration of technology into education, and is in line with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which focuses on building a digital society and a knowledge-based economy. Saudi Arabia is a regional leader in adopting e-learning solutions, with the "My School" platform proving highly effective as a successful national model. Through these initiatives, the Ministry of Education is working to move beyond simply using technology as a supplementary tool to employing artificial intelligence as an active partner in improving learning outcomes and personalizing the educational experience for each student.
Competition paths and implementation mechanisms
The Jeddah Education Department has identified four main competitive tracks to cover all aspects of the educational process: the “School of the Future” track, which focuses on creating conceptual models of advanced learning environments; the “Innovative Teacher” track, which aims to personalize curriculum content; the “Innovative Leader” track, which focuses on developing smart administrative solutions; and finally, the “Innovation Pioneers” track, which is dedicated to extracurricular activities. The initiative aims to equip staff with high-precision “Prompt Engineering” skills, thereby enhancing the quality of digital interaction within classrooms.
Expected educational impact
This initiative is expected to bring about a qualitative shift in the educational field, not only in Jeddah but also as a model to be emulated locally. By integrating tools such as Microsoft Copilot, teachers will be able to save time on routine tasks and focus more on creative and interactive learning with students. This initiative also enhances students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills, better preparing them for the future job market, which demands advanced digital skills.
Participation requirements and technical specifications
The administration clarified the necessity of using the educational account on the "My School" platform to ensure secure access to technological tools. It stipulated the completion of the designated training course and the allocation of 60 minutes for practical tasks. Furthermore, it emphasized to school principals the importance of registering events via the approved global link to ensure the international documentation of the Kingdom's efforts, while adhering to the 2025 guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence to guarantee data security and the safety of the digital environment.
