Tech Desk 
Nov 17, 2024
The advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) has outpaced that of any other technology over the past few years, but the technology carries with it a high fear factor, with loss of employment to AI being the biggest concern people are worried about.
Regarding the empowering edge and downsides of the technology, the 40th Society of Pakistan English Language Teachers (SPELT) International Conference was held in Karachi, Pakistan at five different avenues under the theme of "Transitions in ELT: Past, Present and Future" on Saturday.
The 40th SPELT International Conference 2024 featured various well-known speakers to conduct a variety of sessions.
In his welcome address at the Habib Public School, one of the five venues, SPELT president Mohsin Tejani said that this year they had “raised the bar for what we do well as we have enhanced this conference to 5X," while reflecting on the evolutionary phase language has undergone owing to the rise of AI.
Tejani stressed on training teachers on modern approaches of teaching in an era marked by AI.
“We are committed to harnessing technology in our mission of teaching as we make professional development accessible for teachers to adapt to the future landscape. We want to grow and transform teaching for the better. Technology should empower teachers, and not replace them,” he added," he said
Habib Public School Principal Minhas Tejani highlighted that teachers must remain cautious yet adaptive to AI while understanding it, adding that, if not used thoughtfully, it would widen the gaps in education.
During the session, Dr Shah Jamal Alam, associate professor of Computer Science at Habib University, delivered valuable insights into the pros and cons of AI in a session titled "Generative AI and the Future of Education" he held during his keynote.
