The 45-minute cinematic cut of the series was designed for classroom use, allowing educators to integrate it into lessons on mathematics, social studies, or world history. Image courtesy of Spencer Striker Digital Learning.
All 30 episodes, each 90 seconds long, are now fully available on YouTube. Image courtesy of Spencer Striker Digital Learning.
This AI-generated docudrama chronicles a ninth-century scholar whose contributions forever changed modern mathematics and computing.
We are using generative AI to tell the story of the man who made this technology possible. Every phone, search engine, and frontier AI model runs on a concept he invented 12 centuries ago in Baghdad.”— Spencer Striker, PhDDOHA, QATAR, September 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — DOHA, Qatar – September 2, 2026 – As of today, Spencer Striker Digital Learning has released all 30 installments of Al-Khwarizmi: Father of Algebra & the Algorithm for free on YouTube, along with a complete 45-minute cinematic edition. This AI-animated docudrama follows a young scholar in ninth-century Baghdad whose work became the foundation for algebra and the algorithm. Viewers have two options: 30 sequential, 90-second episodes formatted vertically for TikTok-style viewing, or a single widescreen HD film that tells the entire story continuously. Teachers can screen the film during a single class period, while students can watch the series on their phones.
The series was produced by Spencer Striker, PhD, a Professor of Digital Media Design at Northwestern University in Qatar and founder of Spencer Striker Digital Learning. “I’m releasing Al-Khwarizmi for free across several formats,” Striker explained, “so that whenever teachers, students, or history enthusiasts seek a visual account of this pivotal era in math history, our series will be easy to find.”
The series illustrates how modern computer science and AI originate from Al-Khwarizmi’s work over 1,200 years ago. Merging Greek geometry with Indian arithmetic, he authored the first algebra book and described each method as step-by-step instructions that anyone could follow. When his writings reached Europe in Latin, his name became Algoritmi—which evolved into the word “algorithm.” His book’s title, Al-Jabr, gave us the word “algebra.”
Striker noted that he produced and shared the widescreen version for classroom use, where professors and teachers can incorporate it into math, social studies, or world history lessons. He also plans to provide his production notes to educators teaching classes on AI or animation.
"AI offers enormous potential, but without thinkers like Al-Khwarizmi, neither AI nor algebra would exist," Striker stated. "Uncovering the historical origins of these tools helps students understand that human intelligence and creativity remain irreplaceable."
Al-Khwarizmi: Father of Algebra & the Algorithm was funded by the Doha Film Institute Web Series Grant and selected for the Qumra 2026 Series Lab.
About Spencer Striker Digital Learning
Spencer Striker Digital Learning creates free interactive learning experiences that blend AI with realistic digital media design, focusing on topics that help students grasp complex issues. Spencer Striker is a Professor of Digital Media Design at Northwestern University in Qatar. His award-winning projects include apps, games, motion comics, VR, and web-based storytelling. Find out more at SpencerStriker.com.
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Media Contact:
Chris Piehler for Spencer Striker Digital Learning
Pando Public Relations
chris@pandopublicrelations.com
Chris Piehler
Pando Public Relations
chris@pandopublicrelations.com
