The nineteenth edition of SOT Events opened in Lahore, marking the start of two days of insightful conversations on the future of humanity in an age shaped by rapid technological change.
Launched in 2000, SOT Events started as School of Tomorrow Conference. Now a flagship event of the Beaconhouse Group, it is a testament to the Group’s commitment to fostering open dialogue, forward-thinking education, and public discourse that anticipates the needs of a changing world. Over the past 25 years, SOT has evolved into one of Pakistan’s most renowned public forums. This year’s theme, Co-Creating Tomorrow: Humans, AI, and the Future, explores how human creativity, ethics, and collaboration can guide the world toward a more equitable future. The event features over 30 sessions and more than 100 speakers.
The Chief Guest, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senior Minister Punjab, commended Beaconhouse for leading global conversations through its thought leadership and recognised its role as a pioneer in shaping discourse on education, creativity, and the future. She emphasised how Beaconhouse’s emphasis on personal connections and supportive learning environments enables students, especially women, to develop the confidence and skills needed for leadership, crediting teachers for their transformative impact.
In her address, Mrs Nasreen Kasuri, Chairperson Beaconhouse Group, reflected on Beaconhouse’s 50-year journey and the role of SOT as a platform for public thought leadership. She emphasised that education must evolve with a rapidly changing world, highlighting Beaconhouse’s longstanding leadership in technology-enabled learning while underscoring that human connection, empathy, and values remain central. She also stressed the importance of partnership, sustainability, and youth-driven innovation in shaping a shared future.
A panel discussion moderated by Kasim Kasuri, CEO Beaconhouse, set the direction for this year’s event with an overview of how AI is transforming all aspects of life and highlighted how, within this uncertainty, lies the opportunity to shape futures that are equitable, sustainable, and humane.
Prominent speakers on Day 1 included Hina Rabbani Khar, Syed Talat Hussain, Zarrar Khuhro, Fahd Husain, Nadia Jamil, Rashid Rana, Feeha Jamshed, Dr Sohail Naqvi, Dr Tayyaba Tamim, and Dr Kamal Munir, among others. An alumna of Beaconhouse, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for IT & Telecommunication, commended Beaconhouse for pioneering such discourse and attributed her own achievements to the strong foundation she received at Beaconhouse. She lauded SOT for bringing critical global conversations to the forefront.
The opening session also featured a virtual keynote by Jürgen Schmidhuber, often called the Father of Generative AI, who examined the rise of real-world AI and the long-term possibilities of machine intelligence. Daniel Sobel, a global inclusion expert, explored the future and practice of inclusion.
Discussions throughout the day ranged from higher education and public policy to art, culture, creativity, and politics, reflecting Beaconhouse’s leadership in convening diverse voices to reimagine the future.
SOT XIX is a free and open event that continues today with more sessions on a wide range of topics, along with live entertainment, food, and immersive experiences. With its long-standing commitment to public discourse, Beaconhouse continues to create inclusive spaces for ideas that question assumptions, connect communities, and create new possibilities. pr