Professor Dr. Naveed Yasin is a distinguished academic and international consultant in entrepreneurship and enterprise education. With over 15 years of experience across the UK, UAE, Oman, and broader GCC regions, he has pioneered initiatives in higher education, such as building academic incubators and leading decolonized, experiential entrepreneurship programs.
How has the integration of AI into entrepreneurship education in higher education institutions redefined how entrepreneurship is taught?
Based on my recently published book by Palgrave Macmillan on Technology and Entrepreneurship Education, we anticipated that the future of entrepreneurship education would be driven by technology and AI technology (Hyams Ssekasi and Yasin, 2022). The integration of AI into entrepreneurship education is significantly redefining how entrepreneurship is taught by transforming traditional, lecture-based models into dynamic, interactive, and data-driven learning experiences. AI enables educators to simulate real-world business challenges, allowing students to experiment with start-up scenarios, analyze market trends, and make informed decisions. These tools provide instant feedback, helping students refine their ideas and strategies in real time. AI-powered predictive analytics also help students understand the potential outcomes of their entrepreneurial decisions, making the learning process highly immersive and practical. This shift is vital for developing adaptable, innovation-driven entrepreneurs prepared for a rapidly evolving global economy.
How have you personally implemented AI into your teaching?
In my teaching, I have integrated AI to enhance both student engagement and learning outcomes as a tool for self-development. For instance, I encourage the use of AI-driven platforms to provide personalized diagnostic feedback on students’ business ideas, plans, and pitch presentations. These tools help to analyze individual projects, offering tailored insights that help students refine their ideas. Additionally, I incorporate AI-powered simulations where students interact with virtual business environments, experiment with various entrepreneurial strategies, and assess risks and rewards. Furthermore, I seek to continue the dialogue among enterprise educators concerning the effective practices of using such technology-based tools in higher education contexts (Yasin and Hafeez, 2018). I also utilize AI to create personalized learning pathways, recommending resources and exercises based on students’ unique interests and skill gaps. This personalized approach ensures that each student maximizes their learning potential.
What is the biggest challenge facing the use of AI in education?
One of the biggest challenges is ensuring the ethical and equitable use of AI in education, as indicated in my recent publication (Rasul et al., 2024) in the International Journal of Management Education. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and unequal access to AI tools can hinder the broader adoption of this Technology. Faculty readiness is another significant barrier, as educators often require training and support to implement AI in their teaching effectively. Additionally, the financial cost of integrating AI, including infrastructure and ongoing maintenance, can be prohibitive for some institutions. Overcoming these challenges requires collaborative efforts among educators, policymakers, and Technology providers to ensure that AI benefits all learners equitably.
What are AI-driven mentorship platforms, and what benefits do they provide?
AI-driven mentorship platforms use advanced algorithms to match students with mentors based on shared interests, career aspirations, and areas of expertise. These platforms provide tailored guidance, helping students navigate their entrepreneurial journeys with support from industry experts. They also include tools for agenda-setting, progress tracking, and personalized action plans, ensuring that mentorship sessions are focused and productive. The benefits are substantial. These platforms make mentorship more accessible by overcoming geographical and time constraints, enabling students to connect with mentors worldwide. They also enhance the quality of mentorship by providing data-driven insights that allow mentors to offer highly relevant advice, ultimately fostering more meaningful and impactful mentor-mentee relationships.
What is the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031?
The UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 is a national initiative aimed at positioning the UAE as a global leader in AI by integrating it across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and transportation. The strategy focuses on building a knowledge-based economy by fostering innovation, developing AI talent, and enhancing government efficiency through AI-driven solutions. Education emphasizes using AI to personalize learning, improve student outcomes, and prepare the future workforce with the digital skills required to thrive in a tech-driven world. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s vision for economic diversification and global competitiveness.
How are Universities embracing this strategy?
Universities in the UAE, such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and the Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), are pivotal in advancing the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. MBZUAI, as the world’s first graduate-level research university dedicated to AI, focuses on cutting-edge programs in machine learning, robotics, computer science, and natural language processing, fostering innovation and global partnerships.
Complementing this, ADSM integrates AI into its undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including the new Master of Science in Business Analytics with Artificial Intelligence degree, which combines management principles with AI applications to prepare students for leadership in AI-driven industries. Through in-class activities and the MBA’s Signature Learning Experiences (SLE), ADSM utilizes AI-powered tools for real-world simulations, training faculty and students to use advanced technologies. Both institutions ensure their curricula align with market demands, cultivating AI talent and innovation to position the UAE as a global leader in AI and entrepreneurship.
How does the introduction of AI into entrepreneurship education ultimately benefit the UAE economy?
The introduction of AI into entrepreneurship education directly supports the UAE’s economic diversification goals. By equipping students with advanced digital and entrepreneurial skills, AI helps foster a generation of innovative thinkers and business leaders. This enhances the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging the growth of start-ups and SMEs, which are critical to the country’s economic development. AI also enables students to validate business ideas and optimize operations, reducing barriers to market entry. The result is a more competitive and innovation-driven economy aligned with the UAE’s vision for a knowledge-based future.
What do you see as the future of AI in education?
As indicated in our recently published book chapter (Hyams-Ssekasi and Yasin, 2022), the future of AI in education is poised to be transformative and requires transformational strategic leadership in higher education institutions (Salman et al., 2024). We can expect greater integration of AI with emerging technologies like virtual reality (VR) and blockchain, creating immersive and secure learning environments. AI will play a pivotal role in lifelong learning, offering personalized educational pathways that adapt to individuals’ evolving careers (Al-Gindy et al., 2022). Additionally, AI will enable predictive analytics to identify at-risk students and provide targeted interventions, improving overall academic outcomes. The focus will shift towards collaboration between educators, policymakers, and tech developers to ensure AI is used responsibly and inclusively for maximum societal benefit.
How can readers find out more about you?
Readers can learn more about my work through my contributions to entrepreneurship education, research, and innovation, which focus on integrating AI-driven approaches into teaching and fostering entrepreneurship ecosystems aligned with the UAE’s vision for economic transformation. Additionally, I can be reached on LinkedIn for insights and discussions related to these areas.
