ISLAMABAD: School of tomorrow (SOT) events launched its 20th edition, Possible Worlds, in Islamabad on Saturday, bringing together leading voices from diverse fields for a day of conversations on the future of humanity.
The Islamabad event, the first of three with Lahore and Karachi to follow, featured eight sessions with conversations ranging from the future of learning and work, climate resilience and online safety to artificial intelligence, beauty, geopolitics, conflict, and the arts.
The event drew audiences from Islamabad and its surroundings, who showed up in large numbers despite the stormy weather.
Among the highlights was ‘Who Owns Imagination’, a distinctive blend of discussion and music featuring Ali Azmat alongside voices from music and the arts.
The session was curated in collaboration with the Lahore Biennale Foundation. It explored AI’s impact on creativity and expression, with a live DJ performance bringing these questions to life, and the weather adding to the energy of the occasion.
An insightful debate examined whether AI is making us less human, weighing its potential against the risks to creativity, judgement, and human connection. Syed Talat Hussain led a discussion with Dr Moeed Yusuf, Fahd Husain and Munizae Jahangir on shifting global power and the implications of an increasingly uncertain world.
Other discussions addressed urgent questions for families and communities. ‘Growing Up Online’ explored the shared responsibility for protecting children from digital harm, while ‘Communities on the climate front line’ considered how those most exposed to climate shocks can build resilience.
Organised by Beaconhouse Group, SOT Events has evolved over more than 25 years. This year, SOT is being held across three cities; Possible Worlds now heads to Lahore on Nov 28 and 29 at Faletti’s Hotel, with two days of conversations, debates, performances and interactive experiences, followed by Karachi on Dec 12at Beach Luxury Hotel.
Speaking about this year’s theme, Chair SOT Events and CEO Beaconhouse, Kasim Kasuri said, “SOT has always created space to question, challenge and exchange ideas openly”.
Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2026
