ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The third annual Educational Development Conference convened in Erbil on Thursday, drawing high-level officials including the Ministers of Education from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, other government ministers, educators, and leading experts in the field.

The central focus of this year's conference was the critical integration of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the region's educational and teaching processes, highlighting these tools as essential for modern learning platforms and student development.

A major announcement at the event was the official launch of the "My School" project. This ambitious initiative is a comprehensive digital learning platform designed for primary grades one through three. It leverages artificial intelligence to create a dynamic and interactive learning environment, signaling the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) commitment to harnessing technological advancements for education.

Zuhair Muhammad, the Assistant Director General of Educational Planning, provided details on the new platform, stating, "The 'My School' project contains numerous videos and activities for all subjects in the first, second, and third primary grades. It incorporates artificial intelligence and is already being utilized in schools."

Saman Siwayli, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, outlined the conference's agenda, noting that three expert panels were held on the first day, with two more scheduled for Friday before the conference concludes. He emphasized a historic first for this year's event: the inclusion of student voices.

"It is worth noting that this year, for the first time, students are participating with their opinions and ideas," Siwayli said. "A dedicated panel has been allocated for students from the Kurdistan Region, where they will present their views on technology, contemporary changes, and artificial intelligence."

The conference is expected to produce a series of formal recommendations and proposals for the Ministry of Education. These outcomes are intended to serve as a foundational strategy for advancing and modernizing the educational system in the coming years.

This push for digitalization aligns with a broader strategic goal of the KRG's ninth cabinet, which has prioritized implementing digital systems across all ministries and government offices to improve efficiency and services.