KARACHI: Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has said that while artificial intelligence is making lives easier today, serious thought must be given to the challenges it may create in the future.

“Human connection, emotions and observation should never disappear from education. AI may provide convenience, but it can never replace human consciousness, emotions and lived experience,” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the closing session of the 6th National Education Summit 2026 at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi.

The summit, titled ‘Nurturing Future-Ready Learners: Leadership Dialogue on AI and Generation Alpha’, was organised by the Pakistan Academic Consortium in collaboration with the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh.

The conference brought together education experts, policymakers and representatives of educational institutions,

The summit, held at the G&T Auditorium of IBA Karachi, featured sessions and panel discussions on future-ready learners, evolving educational requirements, AI, Generation Alpha, student leadership and 21st-century skills.

Speaking on the occasion, the education minister said: “It feels as though AI has launched an attack; now we must think about our defence.”

He stated that AI is influencing human thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities and patterns of thought, making it essential to connect future generations not only with technology but also with humanity, nature, observation and creative consciousness.

He said that if children are not connected with nature, the earth, and real-life experiences, AI will dominate their thinking. He remarked that a child may recognise elements of nature through pictures, but the real question is how close that child actually is to nature in real life.

Referring to the tensions between Iran and United States, he said the situation demonstrates how a country, despite being technologically weaker, can still stand firmly for its land, identity, and values.

He added that children must be connected to their land, culture, and society, while noting that Iran has especially focused on STEM education.

Mr Shah emphasised that education must be aligned with local realities, the environment, and human values while encouraging children to develop habits of questioning, thinking and research.

He said that in the age of AI, the role of teachers has become even more important, and technology should serve as a support for humanity rather than a substitute for it.

During a session titled ‘Reclaiming Human Agency in Education,’ speakers discussed the human role in education, creative thinking and the growing influence of AI.

They emphasised that in the rapidly changing AI era, education must remain human-centred and purposeful.

Meanwhile, in the panel discussion ‘Redefining Learning for Generation Alpha: What Must Change Now,’ representatives from the Sindh government, Aga Khan University Examination Board, Ziauddin University and Cambridge jointly stressed the need to move beyond traditional education towards skill-based learning models for the new generation.

Similarly, the session ‘Generation Alpha Is Here’ explored the requirements for preparing the AI-native generation for the future, while ‘The Human Advantage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence’ highlighted the importance of balancing human intelligence with technology for the future of education.

At the conclusion of the summit, education experts shared recommendations and experiences regarding modern educational challenges, the impact of AI, and the preparation of future-ready learners.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2026