Paul Atherton

Founder & Executive Director @ Fab AI (AI-for-Education.org)

About

Fab AI's flagship initiative AI-for-Education.org, founded in October 2023, builds open-source tools and fosters global collaboration to integrate AI solutions into education in low- and middle-income countries. The organization emphasizes equitable access by providing resources like guidance notes, code, and a community of innovators who share insights and solutions. This work extends the mission of Fab Inc., which since 2017 has partnered with governments to enhance education systems using data, technology, and AI-driven tools. With over eight years at Fab Inc., the focus has been on practical applications such as GIS for school planning, climate resilience strategies, and AI-powered tools like theTeacherAI, which supports teachers in Sierra Leone. Deeply committed to open collaboration, the founder also initiated "Harnessing AI in Education," a network uniting LMIC innovators with global expertise to democratize access to AI in education.

Country

Switzerland

City

Geneva

Industry

Higher Education

Skill

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Education, Startups, Strategy, Data Analysis, Science, Lecturing, Policy Analysis, Academic Writing, Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Research, Social Sciences, Stata, Teaching, University Teaching, Higher Education, Policy, International Development, International Relations

Experience

Founder & Executive Director

Fab AI (AI-for-Education.org)

2026-4 - Present · 6 mos

AI-for-Education came out out of our work at Fab trying to make sure LMIC's don't get left behind as new AI tools emerge to help with education. We took a long look at the future, and realised that we needed to make a concerted effort to shape it, or the poorest will again be excluded. So we set up AI-for-Education.org - building openly, talking openly and sharing what we are learning. And meeting new friends along the way. It's head is a website where you can find information on how AI can help, guidance notes, and code to help you deliver. It's heart is a community who build, try new things and share.

Founder and CEO Fab Inc.

Fab Inc

2017-8 - 2026-5 · 8 yrs 10 mos

We use data and technology to advise partners on how best to improve education in low/lower-middle income countries. We like data, are excited about the potential of AI, and are worried about the impact of climate change on schools.

Education Advisor

Department for International Development (DFID)

2015-7 - 2017-7 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Rwanda

I was responsible for development and oversight of DFID Rwanda's £62.5m education programme in Rwanda - "Learning for All".

Education Economist

Department for International Development (DFID)

2011-9 - 2017-7 · 5 yrs 11 mos

London/Glasgwo

I helped design and manage the Girls' Education Challenge, a large (£355m), ambitious project to help the most marginalised girls' get into school and learn. Specifically i was responsible for the evaluation and data systems to allow us to know what was happening; and to test Payment by Results (spoiler: it didn't work as easily as we thought). It was fun, if a little crazy at times building something at that scale.

Lecturer

Institute of Education

2010-8 - 2011-9 · 1 yr 2 mos

Lecturer on MSc Economics of Education

Post-Doc Researcher

UCL Institute of Education

2009-8 - 2010-9 · 1 yr 2 mos

I looked at teacher contracting in India - and the impact different types of teacher tenure had on their performance and children's learning outcomes.