From unconscious to conscious: the journey begins.
As a futurist and strategist, I witness daily how educational institutions struggle with AI. Teachers use AI tools without overarching policies, administrators make ad-hoc decisions, and the conversation often revolves around prohibiting rather than utilizing AI.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many educational leaders feel the pressure of “We need to do something with AI” but lack a clear direction.
The wake-up call: AI as an opportunity, not a threat
AI is not a new technology. Its foundations stem from education itself—technical universities were researching artificial intelligence as early as the 1960s. Now, this technology, driven by Big Tech, has returned like a boomerang, leaving many in the education sector stunned and unprepared.
My unique perspective allows me to recognize early signals of change. What I see is clear: education must reclaim AI. It originated within academia, and if there’s any place where AI can be harnessed for good, it is within education.
The transformation phase: experimenting and connecting
More and more educational institutions are waking up and experimenting with AI. They are establishing policy frameworks, implementing guidelines, and seeking a balance between humans and technology.
This phase is crucial, as leaders face:
- Resistance to change
- The challenge of connecting all stakeholders
- The balance between innovation and caution
I firmly believe that technology should serve people, not the other way around. This is where my expertise in building bridges comes in—helping institutions unite diverse perspectives and stakeholders.
The four essential choices for transformation
To successfully navigate this transformation, educational institutions must make four conscious choices:
1. From Reactive to Proactive Policy
Institutions can no longer create ten- or twenty-year plans. We must accept that recalibration is needed every two to three years. What has changed? What does this mean for us? This alertness and awareness are essential to stay ahead of developments.
2. Keeping Humans at the Center of AI Development
AI is not just a technological advancement—it’s also a human transformation. We must critically assess the role of AI in our lives and education. Technology should serve humanity; that must always be the goal.
3. Quality Assurance as a Foundation
Education has a tremendous responsibility—it shapes the future of society. Therefore, we must ensure that AI enhances educational quality rather than undermines it. This requires clear frameworks and continuous evaluation.
4. Sustainable Implementation
Transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It requires structural attention, resources, and good governance. Ensure that AI implementation is embedded sustainably within your organization.
Moving Beyond Abstraction: Concrete Steps
As a strategist, I help organizations not just with vision but with concrete applications. Here’s an example: Organize a job fair for 2035. Let people consider what jobs will exist then. This exercise helps institutions step outside their comfort zone and envision how AI (and broader technology) will shape the future of education and society.
Education isn’t just about math, language, and history. It’s about shaping the kind of people we become. Schools bear the responsibility for our future society.
The New Reality: Moving Beyond AI Fear
My vision for the future includes:
- AI being effectively integrated into education
- The teacher’s role being strengthened, not replaced
- Educational institutions leading with forward-thinking policies
- A healthy balance between technology and humanity
This is not a utopian dream—I already see it happening in pioneering institutions that have consciously embraced AI and are redefining education.
My Challenge to You
As education leaders, you face a choice: Will you embrace this conscious transformation? My challenge, based on my expertise in strategic awareness and digital transformation:
- What stage of awareness is your organization in?
- What conscious AI-related choices have you already made?
- How do you ensure that people remain at the center of your AI strategy?
- What steps can you take today to develop a thoughtful AI strategy?
My motto, stay amazed every day, reflects my approach: to look at the world with wonder and curiosity, always seeking new perspectives and possibilities. I invite you to do the same as you navigate AI transformation in your educational institution.
Education is the most important investment in our future. Let’s embrace this transformation together and steer it toward our core values.
What will be your next step in this transformation? Let’s explore the possibilities together.
