OBS Celebrates the 11th Observatory Seminar: Exploring the Future of Learning
Experts in education discuss how technology is transforming Online Learning
- Diverse Participation: Six prominent speakers from institutions such as the University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, UNIR, and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia shared their expertise and insights.
- Global Reach: With 50 daily participants, the event attracted attendees from diverse nationalities, professional sectors, and backgrounds.
- First Open Edition: For the first time, the seminar was open to the public, featuring a renewed format that fostered interaction and networking.
On November 18 and 19, OBS Business School hosted the 11th International Seminar on Online Higher Education, an initiative by the OBServatory. Under the theme "The Future of Higher Education," the event brought together experts, academics, and professionals from various sectors to analyze how artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are reshaping education.
The seminar began with the Institutional Welcome by OBS Business School Dean, Dr. Casilda Güell. The first day featured the presentation of the eLearning Report, discussions on AI's impact on the labor market transformation, and exploration of cutting-edge AI tools applied to learning.
The second day started with a debate on the intersection of law and technology, focusing on European AI regulations. Key strategies for innovation in corporate training were then discussed. The day concluded with a panel on the challenges faced by universities and business schools, alongside the impact of AI on learning from the perspectives of both students and educators.
Artificial Intelligence as the central focus
AI emerged as a key topic, highlighting its potential to:
- Personalize learning and provide continuous assistance.
- Optimize content and use predictive analytics to enhance outcomes.
- Foster immersive experiences through gamification and augmented reality.
- Promote inclusion with accessibility tools such as automated subtitles and text-to-speech features.
However, challenges such as privacy concerns, algorithmic biases, and implementation costs were also addressed, emphasizing the need to integrate AI with pedagogical approaches that nurture creativity, ethical judgment, and critical thinking.
The seminar's revamped format encouraged greater interaction among participants, promoting debate and idea exchange. The gathering of notable figures from the educational field, including rectors, deans, executives, professors, and researchers from prestigious business schools and universities, underscored the event's role as a hub for innovation and networking.
This year’s edition reaffirms OBS Business School’s commitment to educational research and innovation, anticipating sector challenges and fostering solutions that transform teaching and learning on a global scale.