Edufuturists #336 Why AI Literacy Can No Longer Sit on the Edge with Dr Emily Musil

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Dr Emily Musil from the Milken Institute to explore how education, philanthropy and technological change are colliding in powerful ways. Emily shares her journey through higher education, EdTech and global learning projects, before unpacking her current work helping philanthropists and institutions invest in the future of education.The conversation explores why AI literacy and computational thinking now need to be seen as part of the core learning experience, not as optional extras or specialist subjects. We discuss the growing pressure on higher education to rethink old models, the importance of lifelong learning, and the role of philanthropy in funding experimentation, innovation and system change.Emily also reflects on the balance between high tech and human-centred learning, arguing that the future of education should combine personalised digital support with collaboration, empathy and real-world problem solving. It is a conversation about imagination, urgency and the need to build learning systems that are more flexible, more equitable and more fit for the world ahead.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:15 Emily Musil’s background in Education and EdTech05:09 The Milken Institute and Strategic pPhilanthropy07:33 Global Trends, Regional Priorities and Systems Thinking10:11 AI Disruption and the Need for Future-focused Thinking14:51 Why AI Literacy Must Become a Core Skill16:01 Personalised Learning and What Schools Can Do Differently19:26 Higher Education, Business Models and Resistance to Change24:15 New University Models and Experimental Approaches26:46 Lifelong Learning and Education as a Continuum30:08 How Philanthropy can Catalyse Change in Education35:47 Computational Thinking, AI+ and Human-Centred Learning40:11 Competition, Global Opportunity and Prize-based Innovation45:22 Quickfire QuestionsFind out more about Emily here

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Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.Ben & Steve xChampioning those who are making the future of education a reality.Follow us on X: https://www.twitter.com/edufuturistsFollow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edufuturists/Join the WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IWXj4PvbvvI5frLGVUj6ih?mode=ems_copy_h_cCheck out all about Edufuturists at https://www.edufuturists.comWant to sponsor future episodes or get involved with the Edufuturists work?Get in touch: info@edufuturists.comGet your tickets for Edufuturists Uprising 2026 at: edufuturists.com/uprising26