On Friday, 14 March, the third “Idea Day” conference for teachers and education technology experts took place, bringing together more than 180 teachers and education experts from all over Latvia and offering them a wide-ranging program on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in education. Teachers had the chance to improve their AI skills in 14 workshops and discussions on methods, solutions, and experiences.

Thanks to the great response of teachers of technology subjects in previous years to the inspiring experience of “Idea Day,” the need to integrate AI technologies into education, and the event’s supporters, Riga Business School as a department of Riga Technical University with the support of LMT, Ministry of Education and Science, IT Education Foundation, AUGT Foundation, Tomega and EU Code Week organized a conference bringing together companies with experience in using AI and Latvian teachers to promote understanding of AI and its application in everyday life.

“This year’s Idea Day demonstrated the importance of professional development for educators in the age of technology. Teachers are ready to adopt new methods and tools to make learning more effective and exciting. Artificial Intelligence is already playing a key role in education, and our challenge is to help teachers use it meaningfully and responsibly,” says Claudio Rivera, Director of Undergraduate Programs at Riga Business School and Strategic Advisor at the Education Innovation Lab.

“In Latvia, this and similar measures are essential because they help to adapt education to modern requirements. The role of technology in education is growing, and teachers in technology teaching areas need continuous professional development to use innovation in the most effective and meaningful way. Events where educators can share experiences, draw inspiration from industry professionals, and learn new digital solutions, contribute to the drive towards higher quality and more competitive education in Latvia. We believe that the events organized by us, the IT Education Foundation, and Riga Business School not only improve teachers’ skills but also help to create a modern, future-oriented learning environment, which in turn prepares students for the digital age,” says Sandra Dārzniece, IT Education Foundation Project Manager.

“In the speeches and workshops, I heard a common conviction that with the advent of AI, the role of the teacher is not diminishing – it is transforming. This is why events like this are important, not only to educate and inspire but also to strengthen the community of teachers who are transforming with the times, continuously learning, searching for answers, and implementing solutions that are fit for today. Already this time, we heard many valuable and practical solutions in the workshops, which will serve as a good foundation for each teacher to build their own stories,” says Dana Narvaiša, LMT Education Innovation Manager.

In the first part of the conference, experts from the education and technology sector shared their knowledge and experience on integrating AI in education. Speakers included Dr Vanessa Camilleri, Senior Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta, Kaspars Kauliņš, Director of International Business Development at Tilde, and Egle Tamelīte, Head of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow initiative in the Baltics. They highlighted how AI can help personalize learning, foster creativity, and develop students’ digital skills, as well as ethical and safety issues.

In the second part of the day, participants had the opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops that provided an in-depth insight into the use of AI in education. Teachers learned about the ethics and safety of AI, its use in fostering creativity and educational technology solutions, and practical methods for applying AI in the design of teaching materials and data analysis. The impact of AI on design thinking and educational innovation was discussed, as well as how teachers can use AI to enhance learning and promote critical thinking among students.

Panel discussion “What do teachers and students need to know about AI?” experts discussed the impact of AI on learning, the challenges it poses, and the teacher’s role in the technology age. The discussion was attended by Igors Uhaņs (Head of Innovation at Helve), Dana Narvaiša (Head of Education Innovation at LMT), Uldis Karlovs-Karlovskis (RTU lecturer, IT coach, CTO at Zen IS and chairman of “DevOps & AI Latvia”), Linda Daniela (Dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology at Vilnius University) and Jānis Džeriņš (CERT.LV cybersecurity expert). Uģis Joksts moderated the discussion.

Throughout the day, participants networked, sharing their impressions and experiences on the topics heard at the event. They also visited the stands of conference sponsors Tomega and LMT, gaining new experiences and taking on the role of an AI-generated avatar.

A live recording of the event is available at Riga Business School Facebook page.

Riga Business School coordinates Idea Day as a department of Riga Technical University with the support of LMT, Ministry of Education and Science, AUGT Foundation, Riga Technical University, IT Education Foundation, Tomega, and EU Code Week.