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As Beaconhouse marks 50 years as an education leader and the 25th anniversary of its School of Tomorrow (SOT) conference series, the organisation is preparing to host one of its most forward-looking editions yet. SOT XIX, titled “Co-Creating Tomorrow: Humans, AI, and the Future”, will take place on November 29 and 30 at Faletti’s Hotel, Lahore, bringing together global thinkers, technologists, artists, policymakers, and educators for two days of open public discourse.
TechJuice is a prime media partner, collaborating on a special session titled “AI in the Newsroom: Friend or Foe?” on 30 November, exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping journalism, media ethics and the business of news.
Since its inception in 2000 as Rethinking Education, SOT has evolved into one of Pakistan’s most influential platforms for free, public intellectual exchange. With hybrid and virtual outreach in recent years, it now serves as a meeting point between global debates and local realities.
A Legacy of Ideas and a Vision for the Next 50 Years
Over 25 years, SOT Events have hosted more than 1,000 international thinkers, including world leaders, technologists, writers, policy experts, artists, and Nobel-level influencers. Past speakers have included Dr. Noam Chomsky, Dr. Roger Schank, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.
As the SOT website puts it:
SOT Events is part of a continuing mission to reimagine the future of humanity and create a world in which we flourish as unique individuals held together by the tapestries of our cultures, traditions and shared histories. The events serve to expand our understanding of global phenomena, day-to-day issues, and everything in between, by providing the space for multiple perspectives that inform, raise questions and provoke thought: the same objectives that lie at the heart of education in its broadest sense.
Four Core Strands Shaping SOT XIX
SOT XIX is structured around four major intellectual strands that run across its panels, exhibitions, performances, and awards.
1. Staying Human with AI
This strand interrogates what remains uniquely human in an age where machines can mimic creativity, analyse emotions, and generate art at scale. Key questions include how to preserve originality, empathy, and mental well-being in an algorithmic world, and what role education and the arts must play in sustaining identity.
2. Governance and Responsibility
As AI redistributes power, the event will examine who controls intelligent systems, how rights and privacy can be protected, and how societies can ensure that innovation remains aligned with the public good rather than corporate or political interests.
3. Humans and Machines Together
With AI entering classrooms, clinics, workplaces, and creative studios, this strand explores what meaningful collaboration looks like. It raises questions about authorship, ownership, trust, and whether traditional models of schooling and professional training are still fit for purpose.
4. Plural Futures, Plural Voices
SOT XIX emphasises that there is no single future. It highlights the importance of inclusivity, cultural preservation, climate justice, and ensuring that AI and digital systems benefit diverse communities — particularly those in the Global South.
Beyond Panels: Art, Immersive Installations, and Innovation
In addition to discussions, the event will feature:
- Performances that explore the intersection of art, culture, and technology
- Immersive installations and interactive digital experiences
- Showcases of Beaconhouse ventures and student innovation
- Exhibitions of social-impact initiatives
The event’s framework emphasises collaboration rather than competition between humans and intelligent systems. It explores how societies can rebuild around resilience, creativity, culture, and well-being, while confronting the challenges of rapid technological change.
Register here.
