Saudi Arabia has launched its first school-level collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, introducing young learners to Doodlebot, the mobile robot designed to teach the foundations of artificial intelligence. As part of this initiative, Misk Schools welcomed Dr Sharifa Alghowinem, a Saudi research scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for a series of workshops exploring robotics and AI through active research shaped by Saudi expertise.
Showcasing Saudi Expertise at MIT
Dr Sharifa is widely recognised for her work on human-robot interaction and for developing robots capable of interpreting emotional cues in both Arabic and English. Her journey from early education in Saudi Arabia to a research role at MIT’s Personal Robots Group offers an inspiring model for students in the Kingdom and highlights Saudi contributions to a globally significant field.
Over three sessions at the school’s Misk City campus, Dr Sharifa and her team member, Tasneem Burgleh, worked closely with small groups from the Junior and Upper Primary Schools. Junior students explored basic shapes and block coding, while Upper Primary students completed more advanced robotic drawing activities. The workshop format allowed each participant to receive direct guidance while gaining insight into real-time research taking place at MIT.
Commenting on the visit, Dr Steffen Sommer, Misk Schools’ Director General said: ‘Dr Sharifa’s work is important not only because it is technically advanced, but because it is rooted in a Saudi perspective shaping global research from within MIT. Her visit gave our students something rare: direct contact with a scientist who is expanding what human-robot interaction can look like in Arabic as well as English. We are proud to connect our learners with voices shaping the future of the field.’
Introducing Students to Doodlebot
Dr Sharifa’s background includes multimodal AI, behaviour modelling and mental health applications of robotics. After graduating from King Saud University, she earned an MSc in Software Engineering from the University of Canberra and completed a PhD in multimodal AI at the Australian National University. Her current research studies how robots use speech, gaze and movement to read human mood and behaviour.
She is part of the MIT team behind Doodlebot, a social mobile robot designed for long-term use in AI education in K to 12 classrooms. Through block-based programming, students can teach Doodlebot to recognise faces and objects, apply these models to guide robot behaviour, and influence how it draws, dances or expresses emotion. By blending art with STEM learning, Doodlebot helps students build both technical ability and a personal connection with the technology they create.
Reflecting on the hands-on nature of the workshops, Dr Sharifa said: ‘Learning by Doing is the core MIT philosophy that Doodlebot embodies, making education not only fun and engaging, but also tangible, so every learning experience becomes meaningful, memorable, and impactful for students.’
A Broader Strategy for Innovation at Misk Schools
The workshops form part of a wider programme designed to equip students with the ability to use, critique and shape advanced technologies. This framework is structured across three key strands.
Robotics and AI Competitions
Misk Schools has seen continued success in major international competitions including the World Robot Olympiad and the World Artificial Intelligence Competition for Youth. Achievements include:
Best-performing school at the 2024 WRO National Finals in Saudi Arabia, leading to bronze medals and a top-ten placement at the 2024 World Finals in Türkiye.
First place in both Future Innovators and Future Engineers, second place in Robomission Elementary, and third place in Future Innovators (senior) at the 2025 WRO National Finals. Two silver medals at the 2025 WRO World Finals in Singapore.
A Grade 8 team won the Saudi leg of WAICY 2024 and placed second globally in the AI Large Language Model track. A total of 11 national awards were secured, five of which achieved global recognition.
At WAICY 2025, students achieved five national and global awards, including silver and 4th Place Recognition awards. A teacher received the Global Outstanding Teacher Award and the school received the Global Outstanding Organisation Award.
These results reflect the strength of AI literacy and structured coaching, supported in part by a robust collaboration with Tuwaiq Academy.
Professional Teacher Training in AI
Misk Schools offers a comprehensive AI development pathway through the Misk Schools Academy. Teachers are trained in responsible use of AI, safeguarding, prompt writing, and evaluating AI-supported student work. The programme incorporates MIT RAISE and Day of AI training, ensuring staff are equipped to teach confidently and safely.
Experiential Innovation Experiences
Students gain direct exposure to global innovation ecosystems. In 2025, a Summer Silicon Valley programme with Stanford University introduced the emerging field of Symbiotics, exploring the relationship between humans and technology. Visits to Apple Park, Googleplex and Lucasfilm encouraged critical engagement with new tools.
The December 2025 China Innovation Trip to Shanghai and Hangzhou expanded this further, offering insight into real-world AI and robotics applications through visits to SenseTime, Alibaba, CATL and BrainCo.
For more information please visit,