Bloom World Academy (BWA) kicked off Dubai AI Week on a high note, proudly celebrating the achievement of its Grade 9 students—Eric, Inaya, and Matthew—who were crowned champions of the AIDEN AI & Ethics Debate Challenge, held on April 18 and 19. The prestigious competition, held in collaboration with HP (Hewlett-Packard) and international law firm Gibson Dunn, brought together students aged 11–18 from across the UAE to tackle some of the most complex and controversial ethical questions surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The BWA team successfully advanced through the rigorous Karl Popper debate format, impressing a judging panel of legal and tech professionals with their articulation, structure and teamwork. Debating the motion, ‘In a world where AI makes most decisions, humans lose their ability to truly choose freely,’ the students presented a compelling case that demonstrated deep critical thinking and confident delivery. Their win earned them a two-week internship with Gibson Dunn, offering invaluable insight into the intersection of law, ethics, and technology.
BWA students win AIDEN AI & Ethics Debate Challenge hosted by HP, securing internships with global law firm Gibson Dunn
The achievement set the stage for a packed Dubai AI Week at BWA, featuring a series of innovative, school-wide initiatives to further immerse its community in the world of AI. These include the BWA AI Scavenger Hunt, a city-wide, bingo-style challenge encouraging students and families to track down real-world examples of AI in action—from robot police to smart airports. Students are rewarded for categories such as Most Creative Find, Fastest Completion, Best Use of Technology, and Funniest AI Use Example.
In parallel, the school launched an ‘AI or Not?’ social media challenge, inspired by rising concerns around deepfakes and AI-generated content. This is aimed at building awareness and digital literacy in a world increasingly shaped by generative tools like DALLE-2 and Adobe Firefly.
School-wide activities explore real-world AI, deepfakes, and digital literacy
John Bell, Founding Principal of Bloom World Academy, commented: “This has been an outstanding week of innovation and achievement at BWA. The AIDEN debate win and our Dubai AI Week activities are testament to the confidence, curiosity and creativity of our students. We are proud to be preparing future-ready learners who are not only engaging with AI, but also questioning it thoughtfully.”
Inaya, Grade 9 pupil at Bloom World Academy, said: “The AIDEN AI Debate Challenge was an eye-opening experience that completely changed how I view key topics around AI. It helped me understand its potential impact across different sectors and how it could revolutionise the way we think and work. The debates were thought-provoking, and our AI course really helped – especially the courtroom-style dilemmas we explored, which prepared us for the actual format. Ms. Huma, our digital design and AI teacher, was amazing in guiding us and even came to support us at the finals! I’m so excited about the internship – it’s an incredible opportunity to gain real-world experience with a prestigious firm, and I’m looking forward to seeing how debate skills translate into the workplace.”
These initiatives reflect Bloom World Academy’s continued commitment to delivering pioneering, inquiry-led education that aligns with the visionary goals of the UAE. As the region continues to lead conversations on technology and innovation, BWA is ensuring its students are right at the heart of them.