As AI and smart devices transform classrooms, GCC schools must balance innovation with responsibility. Tolga Özdil, Regional SYS Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS, discusses how educators are adapting to this new era 

With technology evolving at a rapid pace and transforming how it is used in classrooms, education is at a significant turning point. Schools are under pressure to integrate technology that enhances learning and equips students for a rapidly changing world, while at the same time grappling with questions around its responsible and ethical use. Challenges remain, ranging from equipping classrooms with the right tools to ensuring teachers have the confidence and skills to use them effectively. 

Bridging this gap requires more than just innovation. It demands solutions that are practical, scalable and grounded in the realities of everyday teaching. As AI-powered devices and smarter learning platforms begin to reshape the education landscape, schools must carefully consider how to integrate them in ways that align with their educational goals. 

In an exclusive interview with Education Middle East, Tolga Özdil, Regional SYS Commercial Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa (META) at ASUS discusses the opportunities and hurdles schools must address when adopting new technologies, the growing role of teacher training and how AI is opening new possibilities for students across the GCC. 

What are some of the latest technological trends we are seeing in the education sector? 

We’ve seen the rise of digital education in the past few years, beginning with the pandemic. One of the most significant developments within this shift has been the emergence of AI-powered tools. These tools not only allow a more personalised learning experience but are also seen as a promoter of inclusivity for supporting students with diverse abilities in enhancing their digital skills.  

What role should Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in education? 

AI has become an essential tool for students to complete their work. I do have concerns about the impact of AI on learning skills, which is why educators should see it as a tool that supports learning rather than replacing it. We should also consider the potential of AI being misused, which could affect learning altogether. 

What are some of the biggest challenges schools face when adopting new technologies? 

AI is a new technology that has evolved rapidly in the past two to three years. As it has now become a part of our daily routines, issues have been raised globally about inherent biases, data privacy concerns, model hallucinations and more. While algorithms are improving and becoming more regulated, schools must exercise due diligence on the ethical use of AI before incorporating it into their infrastructure.  

There is a human angle to it as well, as many teachers still face challenges in effectively utilising these new tools. Schools must invest strategically in training teachers to make sure that technology adoption is in line with the learning objectives. 

What role does teacher training or technical support play in ensuring the success of tech adoption in classrooms? 

As mentioned earlier, teacher training is critical to the success of AI adoption in EdTech. Resistance to change in this space can delay effective use of technology and may hinder the desired outcomes. These trainings should go beyond basic usage to incorporate pedagogical integration, while encouraging a culture of continuous learning through workshops, sandboxing sessions and peer-to-peer learning. 

What is ASUS’s vision in designing technology that fits with classroom needs? 

As a core market for the Middle East, ASUS’s goal for the education sector is to provide students and educators with devices that can integrate seamlessly with their routines. We aim to provide a comprehensive range of reliable products that educators can count on to perform consistently without interruptions. We engineer our devices with meticulous detail and integrate advanced technologies to enrich the learning experience. 

Take our CR and BR line of Windows and Chrome devices for example. They are purpose-built for education, combining military-grade durability with thoughtful design. Features such as dual world-facing cameras, reinforced rubberised covers and a modular structure for easy maintenance ensure that the devices withstand daily classroom use. The keyboards on our devices, for example, can be replaced in minutes using simple tools. These small things make a big difference in ensuring the devices are tailored to meet the demands of modern classrooms. 

To simplify deployment, we also provide Google Education Upgrade licenses pre-installed, enabling zero-touch setup for IT managers. 

Additionally, we have also formed strategic alliances with regional clients to help them set up their AI labs. These labs can be utilised for sandboxing sessions that will facilitate successful adoption of the newest AI tools. 

Are AI-enabled laptops gaining attention in education? Where do ASUS laptops add value in this area? 

AI devices are gaining attention across verticals due to new applications that are making users’ lives easier. The education sector is no exception, as we see several useful AI-driven applications being adopted in school curricula. To fully utilise these AI applications, the hardware industry has taken the initiative to add AI-powered chips and technology to current-generation laptops and will continue to carry this forward. ASUS currently has a wide range of hardware portfolio across Intel, AMD and Google Chrome devices for education.  

With manageability software and an AI assistant, our devices are built to make learning easier for students across any learning space. Our devices are also tested with the highest standards to make them durable in the hands of students. We also offer AI ExpertMeet, a solution that uses AI to cancel background noise, create summaries, on-the-go translation and add watermarks, which can help save time and use it to focus more on learning and growth. 

What role do you see for sustainability and eco-friendly products in the education sector? How is ASUS addressing this? 

Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are playing an increasingly vital role in the education sector. Students are encouraged to integrate green living and solve real-life environmental challenges through projects. Other initiatives like green campus, digital transformation (paperless), etc., are also gaining in popularity.  

ASUS has been leading the sustainability narrative for some time now and ensures that the materials used and supply chain are increasingly aiming for 100% renewable energy use. Recycled materials are used in our Education series devices such as the CR and BR laptops and flip-style tablets, using Chrome and Windows. Products such as Expertbook P5405 exceed ENERGY STAR standards by 43-56%, helping lower power consumption. ASUS also supports academic-industry partnerships to cultivate sustainability-focused technology talent. 

Looking ahead, how do you see AI shaping the future of education? 

AI is already shaping education rapidly, and the integration of AI in the UAE and other Middle Eastern curricula is a testimony to this. AI will continue to accelerate personalised learning with intelligent and tailored content creation to the students’ needs.  

By reducing admin tasks for teachers, AI will give more time for building meaningful human relationships and allow more time for self-development and mentorship sessions.  

With text-to-speech (and vice versa), translation, transcription, etc., AI technologies are now being adapted across languages, and we are moving towards a more inclusive learning environment for students. Lastly, interacting with AI content from a young age will prepare today’s students to be the AI professionals of tomorrow in terms of understanding and removing AI bias, addressing data privacy issues.