The Diplomatic Salon at the Center for Jewish Impact brought together ambassadors, education leaders and policymakers to discuss learning in the digital age

The Center for Jewish Impact, in cooperation with the Embassies of Finland and Estonia in Israel, held a Diplomatic Salon on education in the digital age. Diplomats, senior officials and education experts from all three countries discussed how to prepare students for a future shaped by artificial intelligence without giving up the human core of learning.

At the center of the discussion was a shared challenge: how to embrace artificial intelligence as a powerful tool for accelerating learning, without allowing it to replace the critical thinking, reading and human connection on which education rests.

H.E. Andres Vosman, Ambassador of Estonia to Israel, described the national spirit behind his country’s educational success: “We know we will never be a bigger country, but we can be a more intellectual one. Much like Israel, we have never been afraid of technology.”

H.E. Dr. Nina Nordström, Ambassador of Finland to Israel, spoke about what must remain human: “My mother, who was a literature teacher, used to say that you should be able to taste and smell what you are learning.”

Merav Zarviv, Deputy Director General and Head of the Innovation and Technology Administration at the Israeli Ministry of Education, presented Israel’s approach: “Every student in Israel should receive basic training in artificial intelligence. Countries that ignore artificial intelligence will not move forward.”

Päivi Leppänen of the Finnish National Agency for Education, who joined remotely, emphasized the fundamentals: “Reading skills are the foundation of everything. Critical thinking is essential, and it is very important to practice it.”

Kalmar Kurs, International Cooperation and Communication Adviser, pointed to what the three countries have in common: “Our shared challenge is education in the age of artificial intelligence. Investing in education is investing in the future.”

Robert Singer, Chairman of the Center for Jewish Impact, closed the evening by thanking the ambassadors and highlighting the importance of equity: “It is very important that we direct resources where they are needed. The percentage of children who have never finished a single book in their lives is high, and we must solve this.”

The salon highlighted the potential for continued cooperation among Israel, Finland and Estonia, three small, innovative nations that share a commitment to excellence in education.

The Center for Jewish Impact works to strengthen the bond between the State of Israel and Diaspora Jewry, to promote the resilience of Israeli society, and to combat antisemitism through strategic partnerships and public diplomacy.