Education Futures

Tech philosopher and author Tom Chatfield joins Education Futures for a deep exploration of what it really means to learn, think, and stay human in an age of powerful AI systems.We talk about the central paradox of our era: the skills required to use AI wisely are the very ones AI risks eroding. Tom explains why LLMs should prompt us rather than replace our thinking, and how critical thinking, dialogue, embodiment, and emotional self-mastery remain irreplaceably human. We dive into practical ways to teach critical thinking, what Plato and Descartes would say about our technological moment, why pausing is essential, and how to design a school for 2040 that truly uplifts learners. A hopeful, nuanced conversation about intelligence—human and artificial—and how to build a future where technology serves our flourishing.Tom's substack: https://tomchatfield.substack.com/Tom's latest report "AI and the future of pedagogy" for Sage: https://www.sagepub.com/explore-our-content/white-papers/2025/11/03/ai-and-the-future-of-pedagogyTom's latest book "Wise Animals" https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/tom-chatfield/wise-animals/9781529079746Tom's children book "Your brilliant brain": https://amzn.eu/d/cuFzpmoTom's book to teach critical thinking: "Critical Thinking: Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis and Independent Study" https://a.co/d/5iZ1NI5Tom's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_chatfield_7_ways_games_reward_the_brainGame designer Adrian Hon's work: https://mssv.net/about/

In this episode, Svenia Busson and Laurent Jolie speak with Chris Bush, an Australian teacher, school leader, and Churchill Fellow exploring how artificial intelligence can make education more equitable and human.Chris shares how he built Mitch, an empathetic AI tutor that answered 1,500 student questions in one night—proving that well-designed AI can extend teachers’ reach while caring for students’ wellbeing. His story of Ahmed, a student who doubled his grades thanks to Mitch, reveals AI’s potential to bridge learning gaps for those who can’t afford private tutoring.The conversation dives into insights from Chris’s Churchill Fellowship report on equitable AI in education, uncovering disparities between rich and poor schools, and between the global North and South. They discuss inspiring models like Chicago’s teacher-driven AI policy, the Alpha School in Texas, and national approaches in Finland and Estonia.Together, they reflect on a deeper question: What is school for in the age of AI? From redefining teacher roles to amplifying student voice, they imagine a future where AI supports—not replaces—human relationships, creativity, and critical thinking.Here are some of the insights Chris shared:Chris Bush’s AI playbook and report on Equitable AI in Education (Churchill Fellowship) www.chrisbushai.com PlayLab (AI tools for teachers) https://www.playlab.ai/ to create Chatbots like "Mitch"Oxford University’s AI Community of Practice (AI COP Oxford) led by Dr Sara Ratner https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13399032/ “Thrive” a book by Valerie Hannon : https://www.amazon.com.au/Thrive-Purpose-Schools-Changing-World/dp/1108819974 AI for Education an organization training educators to AI literacy topics in the US (https://www.aiforeducation.io/)Report re: global disparity in AI use: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/group/aiei/ai-diffusion/msockid=3043950b234760192cb984bd274766c4

In this episode of Education Futures, host Svenia Busson sits down with Samuel Path, a senior engineer in AI and a father of four, to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its impact on parenting. Samuel shares his journey from a curious child hacking video games to becoming a passionate AI enthusiast. They discuss the transformative power of AI in the workplace, the importance of lifelong learning, and how to prepare the next generation for an AI-driven world. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the opportunities and challenges of raising children in the age of AI.Here are some of the insights Sam shared:https://eurekalabs.ai/ - Educating people to AI founded by Andrej Karpathyhttps://kurzgesagt.org/ - Great videos to spark creativity about science & technologyhttps://khanacademy.org/ + https://scratch.mit.edu/ are the online tools he uses for his kidsThe video where Kurzgesagt discusses this problem of slop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zfN9wnPvU0On Demis Hassabis winning the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2024)https://deepmind.google/blog/demis-hassabis-john-jumper-awarded-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/HBR article on AI slop that's destroying coworker productivityhttps://hbr.org/2025/09/ai-generated-workslop-is-destroying-productivitySam recommends reading the AI education death spiral by Anand Sanwal: https://anandsanwal.me/ai-education-death-spiral/Self-driving technology in China is now even more advanced than in San Francisco (as of Nov 12th, 2025)https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/china-robotaxi-self-driving-waymo-254ce0a1?st=BCZFqEThe article about hope, sand and soil by Riwa Harfoushhttps://substack.com/@riwaharfoush/p-177572330

Diana Knodel, Co-founder and CEO of Fobizz, and Ksenia Sokolyanskaya, Head of International Expansion at Fobizz, dive deep into AI's impact on education. They discuss their innovative AI literacy programs, emphasizing the need for lifelong learning and adaptability among educators. The duo explores the ethical considerations of AI use in schools, advocating for human-centered approaches and equitable access. They also highlight how AI can empower teachers by saving time for meaningful student interactions and collaboration.

In this episode, neuroscientist Grégoire Borst discusses the intersection of neuroscience and education, particularly in the context of AI's impact on young minds. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, the role of memorization, and the necessity of teaching students how to learn effectively. Grégoire also explores the future of education, the role of teachers, and the need for lifelong learning to adapt to a rapidly changing world. He debunks common neuro myths and highlights the importance of fostering critical thinking skills in students to prepare them for the future.