The Palestinian humanoid called Mr Robot, talks to children in Arabic, to trigger imagination among them even in rough conditions.

Children are among those who are worst affected by conflicts raging across the globe and several parts of the Middle East, as they become vulnerable during long journeys as refugees, while almost all of them have to lose out on education when they need it the most. Although edtech has been able to make sure that children in countries like the UAE and its gulf neighbours continue to learn in connected ecosystems with necessary gadgets, those in parts of Iraq and Syria weren’t able to join their peers due to absence of digital infrastructures.

Gaza has often made headlines due to the devastation caused by a conflict which leads to a large number of civilian casualties, but amidst the destruction, some people are fighting back with a zeal for innovation, which they are passing on to future generations. With robots attracting attention at mega events like Expo and GITEX in the Middle East, a school teacher in Gaza is inspiring students with a simpler yet equally significant version of the interactive androids seen zooming around in Dubai.

At a time when companies are creating robots to teach children with autism and act as companions for kids at home, the Palestinian humanoid called Mr Robot, talks to children in Arabic, to trigger imagination among them even in rough conditions. Designed to spread affection, the robot asks students how they are and greets them in a video which is creating a buzz on social media.

The small initiative by a teacher is similar to robots created in the UAE, like one designed by students to provide medical care for their peers during the new normal. Following the deployment of AI to provide security and prevent bullying at schools in Abu Dhabi, robo-teachers don’t seem like a far-fetched idea for the region.

With a humanoid present in class for inspiration, students may grow up to create a space for themselves on a global stage, like Gaza born Loay Elbasyouni, who has designed a Martian helicopter for NASA.