Across the frontiers of digital transformation: the sixth edition of FutureShots at H-FARM Campus

The H-FARM Campus last week played host to an electrifying three-day festival, the sixth edition of FutureShots 2024. It unfolded from May 9th to May 11th within the beautiful confines of our Big Hall. This eagerly anticipated festival traversed through the realms of three main topics: AI for Education, AI for Business, and the broader implications of technology in the Beyond AI talks.

Since its inception in 2018, FutureShots has epitomised a beacon of innovation, dedicated to unravelling emerging trends and technological breakthroughs. Every year, it serves as a convergence point for burgeoning intellects, enterprises, and individuals. It wants to spearhead the digital transformation and engage in meaningful discourse within the community.

The inaugural day of the event witnessed international masters from academia and digital industry expounding on the transformative potential of AI in the realm of learning. Day two pivoted towards business strategies, offering insights into innovative applications of AI elucidated by seasoned experts. The grand final on day three delved into the expansive influence of AI across social media and art, featuring contributions from esteemed influencers, content creators, gamers, journalists, and artists.

Throughout the festival, attendees were immersed in interactive workshops and engaging talks facilitated by specialists, companies, and educators. The public was diversified from students, teachers and interested individuals in the topics. All inquisitive minds filled the ambiance with enthusiasm, attentiveness, and curiosity as they delved deeper into these intellectually stimulating activities.

A particularly compelling exchange transpired between Mauro Bordignon (Head of Academics and Pedagogical Innovation of H-FARM International School) and Amy Hollier (Director of Production of King’s College London), centering on the intersection of technology and education. Bordignon provocatively challenged conventional notions, advocating for the integration of AI into the educational paradigm while emphasising the need for critical discourse and problem-solving skills among students. Hollier echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the imperative for society to adapt and evolve alongside technological advancements, with a keen focus on inclusivity and skill diversification.

Mauro Bordignon asserted:“How could we ban mobile phones? We are confusing the tool and the issue. Passing too much time on social media is a problem, overusing Chat GPT is a problem. On the contrary, students should critically discuss and solve an issue, by also integrating AI to their study process”. Hollier agrees:“Students have to develop different skills and society has to adopt a different approach to AI. Culture and development play a big role, currently. People have to be trained about that”. Bordignon concludes:“It’s not correct to label a student as ‘dyslexic’, we have all the tools to make him feel normal. Students need and deserve the right to learn”.

The application of technology in educational processes is not merely advantageous, it is indispensable, these days. Central to our mission at H-FARM International School is fostering a culture of awareness and inclusivity, mitigating biases and prejudices through the thoughtful implementation of AI in learning environments. Our commitment to staying abreast of technological advancements ensures that our educational community continues to harness the transformative power of AI, while upholding the principles of equity and accessibility.

During the third day of the festival, Beyond AI, Giulia Lamarca (content creator e change maker) made an important statement:“AI does not decide what it is correct to say and does not adjust contents according to the person’s desires. It will always be the need of humans and creativity. AI does not make the first move, instead people ask the right questions […]. Technology cannot create something by itself. For example, when you ask yourself ‘What do you like doing?’ you would not answer the same in your life, because you’re always evolving. AI will never answer for you, your human part is the key to manage and to guide AI your right way forward”.

FutureShots 2024, in closing, stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to innovation and inclusivity, propelling us forward on our journey towards a more enlightened and digitised future. The application of technology to school processes is fundamental for us. It is particularly important the awareness of its functioning and its implementation in educational processes. Our aim is to avoid issues, bias and prejudices. Our school community will always work to be prepared to combine new AI tools and Human values.