AI and Student Empowerment in Schools

Christian Johnsen is a forward-thinking educational leader from Norway, shaping the future of learning as Head of Department at Sotra Upper Secondary School. Blending hands-on leadership with academic research, he champions trust-based leadership, organisational learning, and the meaningful integration of AI in education. Currently completing his Master’s in Practical Educational Science, Christian is driven by a vision of schools as dynamic communities where teachers thrive, students are empowered, and innovation meets purpose. His mission: to prepare the next generation for a rapidly changing world with courage, curiosity, and collaboration.

Laura Knight is Founder and CEO of Sapio Ltd, specialising in digital strategy and innovation for education. An international keynote speaker, author, strategist, and positive disruptor, Laura supports schools, universities, leadership associations, governments, and edtech companies to adopt an ambitious, ethical, and human-centric approach to AI and digital innovation. Her work spans digital pedagogy, holistic digital wellbeing, online safeguarding, leadership, and change management. She serves on multiple advisory boards across the education sector, including the Independent Schools Council Digital Advisory Group and the Good Future Foundation, and is a Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, published on their research hub.

Merve Emiroğlu is a Computer Science Educator at Private ALEV Schools in Istanbul. She specializes in digital literacy, AI-supported learning activities, and ICT integration in primary education. With a background in Educational Technologies, she designs interactive and age-appropriate tech-based materials for young learners. Merve is also the author of digital activity guides and children’s books focusing on internet safety and digital literacy. She is passionate about supporting teachers through professional development in emerging technologies. She actively participates in international conferences and collaborations to promote innovation in education.

Fabio D'Addona works as a project manager at Forum Education Digitalization, where he is involved in the division "concepts and qualifications". He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus on Innovation and Change Management, and a Master’s degree in Lifelong Learning with a specialization in Digital Learning. Fabio gained international experience in various contexts in the United States and Mexico. The Forum Education Digitalization is committed to the successful digital transformation of the German school system and is guided by the aim of equal educational opportunities that enable all children and young people to actively participate in a digitally shaped society. Therefore, it builds bridges and promotes solution-oriented exchange between schools, politics and administration, science, business, and civil society. The Forum Education Digitalization provides guidance on current challenges in education and school development in the culture of digitality as well as offers scalable practical solutions for systemic needs such as the qualification or cooperation of school administrators, school managers, and school supervisors.