Since 2009, the WISE Awards and WISE Prize for Education have highlighted over 100 global innovative solutions and individuals in education and, throughout the past 15 years, many of them have grown to become more impactful, have scaled to new regions, and more.
The WISE Prize Committee has identified six solutions as finalists for the 2024-2025 WISE Prize for Education. After a thorough review process that evaluated over 400 submissions, and in-depth due diligence conducted by the WISE Team, these finalists have been chosen based on their strong credentials; evidence-based innovation; feasibility and scalability; and their potential to contextualize their work.
One of the winners is TUMO Center for Creative Technologies with its Generative AI Learning Program. TUMO was founded by Simonian Educational Foundation, which emerged from a recognition of the need to nurture creativity and initiative in education systems worldwide. Initially developed to address educational challenges in Armenia, TUMO has grown into a global initiative aimed at empowering youth through innovative learning approaches.
Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Gyumri, Armenia. Photo by Sona Manukyan, archdaily.com
We asked the TUMO team a few questions about the Generative AI Learning Program.
— Why and when did we start TUMO’s Generative AI Learning Program?
— At TUMO, we’ve long been engaged in applications of AI for personalization within our students’ learning paths, so it was only natural that after the emergence of gen AI, we dived deep into exploring the ways it can benefit our program and students. Along with integrating AI in our program development, we have also made a commitment to engage the public in discussing societal and ethical considerations around AI in education and, generally, in the lives of our next generations. You can learn more about our work in AI here: tumo.ai
— How does it work, and what kind of support does it provide to students?
— There are a few channels through which we’re currently working to integrate AI into the TUMO experience:
- Our goal is that TUMO students are not just consumers of AI, but sophisticated users who can maximize their desired outcomes thanks to their top level skills in using AI. That’s why we are now working on introducing AI into our existing 14 skill areas in technology and design.
- TUMO’s learning platform – the TUMO Path – is a hyper-personalized software where each student has their own, unique path towards mastering skills in tech and design. Currently, we’re leveraging AI to build a system that not only personalizes learning journeys, but continuously learns and adapts based on student interaction and performance.
- We’re also developing a whole new skill area of Generative AI that will allow students to dive deeper into developing AI models and agents.
Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Gyumri, Armenia. Photo by Sona Manukyan, archdaily.com
— Have you noticed the program’s impact? Has it changed student behavior or other aspects?
— It is still early to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Generative AI Learning Program’s impact, as we’re in the initial stages of implementation and data collection. However, we’re already conducting experiments that are beginning to reveal the potential of the program. As more data becomes available, we anticipate clearer trends and metrics that will help us understand the program’s impact on student engagement, learning behavior, and overall outcomes. This early phase is exciting, as it offers a glimpse into the potential of this effort.
November 2024
