In science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education, artificial intelligence (AI) analytics are useful as educational scaffolds to educe (draw out) the students’ AI-Thinking skills in the form of AI-assisted human-centric reasoning for the development of knowledge and competencies. This paper demonstrates how STEAM learners, rather than computer scientists, can use AI to predictively simulate how concrete mixture inputs might affect the output of compressive strength under different conditions (e.g., lack of water and/or cement, or different concrete compressive strengths required for art creations). To help STEAM learners envision how AI can assist them in human-centric reasoning, two AI-based approaches will be illustrated: first, a Naïve Bayes approach for supervised machine-learning of the dataset, which assumes no direct relations between the mixture components; and second, a semi-supervised Bayesian approach to machine-learn the same dataset for possible relations between the mixture components. These AI-based approaches enable controlled experiments to be conducted in-silico, where selected parameters could be held constant, while others could be changed to simulate hypothetical “what-if” scenarios. In applying AI to think discursively, AI-Thinking can be educed from the STEAM learners, thereby improving their AI literacy, which in turn enables them to ask better questions to solve problems.

Quantum computing is emerging as a groundbreaking force, promising to redefine the boundaries of technology and business. This paper provides an in-depth examination of the quantum realm, beginning with its fundamental principles and extending to its implications for today’s industries. We discuss how quantum algorithms threaten existing cryptographic measures while also uncovering vast opportunities in sectors like finance, healthcare, and logistics. The narrative then shifts to the evolution of new business models, exemplified by Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) and enhanced AI capabilities. Alongside the myriad opportunities, we address the challenges and ethical concerns surrounding the swift rise of quantum technologies. By emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts among businesses, policymakers, and technologists, the article advocates for a balanced and responsible approach to quantum adoption. Through this analytical lens, the article paints a comprehensive picture of the impending quantum era, presenting both its transformative potential and the complexities it brings to our interconnected world.

The fusion of quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) heralds a transformative era for Industry 4.0, offering unprecedented capabilities and challenges. This paper delves into the intricacies of quantum AI, its potential impact on Industry 4.0, and the necessary change management and innovation strategies for seamless integration. Drawing from theoretical insights and real-world case studies, we explore the current landscape of quantum AI, its foreseeable influence, and the implications for organizational strategy. We further expound on traditional change management tactics, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, ecosystem collaborations, and proactive approaches. By examining successful and failed quantum AI implementations, lessons are derived to guide future endeavors. Conclusively, the paper underscores the imperative of being proactive in embracing quantum AI innovations, advocating for strategic foresight, interdisciplinary collaboration, and robust risk management. Through a comprehensive exploration, this paper aims to equip stakeholders with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the complexities of quantum AI in Industry 4.0, emphasizing its transformative potential and the necessity for preparedness and adaptability.

Sustainable development is crucial to humanity. Utilization of primary socio-environmental data for analysis is essential for informing decision making by policy makers about sustainability in development. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches are useful for analyzing data. However, it was not easy for people who are not trained in computer science to use AI. The significance and novelty of this paper is that it shows how the use of AI can be democratized via a user-friendly human-centric probabilistic reasoning approach. Using this approach, analysts who are not computer scientists can also use AI to analyze sustainability-related EPI data. Further, this human-centric probabilistic reasoning approach can also be used as cognitive scaffolding to educe AI-Thinking in the analysts to ask more questions and provide decision making support to inform policy making in sustainable development. This paper uses the 2018 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) data from 180 countries which includes performance indicators covering environmental health and ecosystem vitality. AI-based predictive modeling techniques are applied on 2018 EPI data to reveal the hidden tensions between the two fundamental dimensions of sustainable development: (1) environmental health; which improves with economic growth and increasing affluence; and (2) ecosystem vitality, which worsens due to industrialization and urbanization.

Unplugged activities have been one approach to introduce computational thinking (CT) to students before any form of coding is involved. This paper reports on a study that examines the evaluation of the types of CT skills inculcated through an unplugged activity. Students in a grade 9 class were engaged in an unplugged activity on sorting before being asked to represent their understanding in the form of pseudo-English, flowchart or Python code. The assessment of CT skills comprises the aspects of decomposition, algorithmic design, generalization, abstraction and evaluation. Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) was used to take a closer look at the unplugged CT activity and the subsequent artifact production. Such a QCA analysis can be used to inform a framework for designing instruction and tasks to target and teach certain types of CT knowledge in novice programmers, as well as for assessing an instruction package as to what CT knowledge is being covered.

According to the World Bank, a key factor to poverty reduction and improving prosperity is financial inclusion. Financial service providers (FSPs) offering financially-inclusive solutions need to understand how to approach the underserved successfully. The application of artificial intelligence (AI) on legacy data can help FSPs to anticipate how prospective customers may respond when they are approached. However, it remains challenging for FSPs who are not well-versed in computer programming to implement AI projects. This paper proffers a no-coding human-centric AI-based approach to simulate the possible dynamics between the financial profiles of prospective customers collected from 45,211 contact encounters and predict their intentions toward the financial products being offered. This approach contributes to the literature by illustrating how AI for social good can also be accessible for people who are not well-versed in computer science. A rudimentary AI-based predictive modeling approach that does not require programming skills will be illustrated in this paper. In these AI-generated multi-criteria optimizations, analysts in FSPs can simulate scenarios to better understand their prospective customers. In conjunction with the usage of AI, this paper also suggests how AI-Thinking could be utilized as a cognitive scaffold for educing (drawing out) actionable insights to advance financial inclusion.