As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and daily life, the skills needed to succeed in this new landscape are evolving rapidly. Beyond technical knowledge, students must develop critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration skills to effectively work alongside AI and tackle complex challenges. In this article, Superintendent Lee Haishuo takes us through the essential skills required for success in an AI-driven world and how Wagor International School is preparing students to navigate this transformative era with confidence and creativity.
Key Skills for the AI World
Q: Research has highlighted skills like reading comprehension, critical thinking, and collaboration as crucial for the AI era. How can these be prioritized in schools?
I’m extremely happy to see these questions because they align directly with the research from my Minerva University master’s thesis. This topic is incredibly important, so let’s take some time to explore it thoroughly.
The Timeless Importance of Durable Skills
According to my research, the key skills we believe are critical for human success — creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, complex problem-solving, and the ability to discern and analyze messages — are not new concepts. We’ve always known their importance. The real issue lies in how our education systems approach these skills.
The problem isn’t a lack of awareness; it’s a lack of action. Education systems, much like personal habits, often fail to prioritize what we know is essential. For example, I know that eating less and exercising more will improve my health, but unless I commit to these habits, the knowledge alone won’t make a difference. Similarly, education systems know durable skills are crucial, but they don’t dedicate enough time or resources to teaching them effectively.
The Right Strategy: Incorporating Skills into Existing Curricula
My research emphasizes that the best approach is not to create entirely new curricula but to integrate durable skills into existing ones. Schools already have established curricula, and designing a completely separate program would require significant resources, including specially trained teachers and additional infrastructure. This approach is impractical for most schools.
Instead, durable skills should be woven into existing courses:
- Critical thinking can be taught through both social sciences and natural sciences.
- Collaboration and communication can be embedded in group projects and team-based activities across various subjects.
- Problem-solving and creativity can be addressed through project-based learning and interdisciplinary challenges.
This integration is not only more feasible but also ensures that these essential skills are reinforced through the regular learning process, rather than being treated as add-ons.
A Call to Action
I want to use this opportunity to emphasize that we cannot afford to delay. Durable skills are not just important — they are essential for preparing students to thrive in an unpredictable and rapidly evolving world. Educators and policymakers must take action now to ensure that these skills are prioritized in classrooms worldwide.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late to make these critical changes. The future of education — and humanity — depends on it.
Q: In your opinion, which durable skills are most vital for students to master to stay competitive in AI-driven workplaces?
There are already numerous frameworks from governments and organizations around the world that outline critical skills for the future. While these frameworks are valuable, I want to highlight two essential skills that I believe are crucial for every individual. These are not overly complicated but are incredibly impactful.
1. Lifelong Learning
The ability to learn continuously is no longer optional; it is a necessity. Lifelong learning is a must for everyone in an era where knowledge and skills are rapidly evolving. However, for children to become lifelong learners, their parents must lead by example. Parents who stop learning send a message to their children that learning has an endpoint. Children, like mirrors, reflect their parents’ behaviors.
Educators and parents must embrace lifelong learning now. The pace of technological advancement, especially since December 2022, has accelerated beyond many people’s expectations. Artificial intelligence is influencing every industry — so much so that asking which industry will be affected is an outdated and naïve question. The truth is, all industries will be impacted, whether sooner or later. The key is not to focus on preserving static skills within a single subject or domain, but to cultivate the ability to adapt and learn continuously.
2. Resilience and Tenacity
The second critical skill is resilience. In a world where the only certainty is constant change, resilience and tenacity are essential mental qualities. Embracing change, rather than resisting it, is the best way forward. To do this effectively, individuals must develop the mental flexibility to adapt to new challenges and uncertainties.
But how do we build this resilience? It starts with physical tenacity. Strengthening the mind begins with strengthening the body. Regular physical exercise not only builds physical endurance but also nurtures mental toughness. This foundation of resilience is vital for navigating the uncertainties of an AI-driven future.
A Call to Action
To prepare for the challenges and opportunities ahead, we must prioritize lifelong learning and resilience. These skills will not only help us adapt to the rapid advancements in AI but also enable us to thrive in an ever-changing world. Start with small, consistent steps — whether it’s picking up a book, learning a new skill, or committing to regular exercise. These habits will lay the foundation for success in the AI era and beyond.
How can schools address the increasing importance of global challenges — such as AI ethics, climate change, or geopolitical tensions — in the classroom?
I personally believe that the most important strategy for education is to first inform learners, then encourage them to become thinkers. Students need to understand that the world is in a constant state of change — nothing remains the same. This concept echoes the wisdom of Tao Te Ching (道德經). “The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name” (道可道，非常道。名可名，非常名)”, reminding us that permanence is an illusion, and change is the only constant. Once learners embrace this perspective, they will be better equipped to face uncertainty with a more positive and flexible mindset.
After being informed, it is crucial for learners to connect their knowledge to their lives by following a three-step cycle:
- Awareness: Understanding and gaining knowledge about the world and its complexities.
- Action: Taking meaningful steps based on this knowledge.
- Reflection: Evaluating the outcomes of their actions and learning from their experiences.
This awareness-action-reflection cycle, emphasized by the OECD, is an essential framework for navigating the challenges of the coming decade. It empowers learners not only to acquire knowledge but also to apply it meaningfully and adapt to an ever-changing world.
By fostering this cycle in our students, we are equipping them with the tools to not only survive but thrive in an uncertain and rapidly evolving future.
Actionable Insights and Conclusion
Q: Could you summarize your vision for how education should evolve to meet the demands of the AI era?
In the quiet of a library, where the fragrance of books lingers like whispers of time, I dream of a future where the next generation does not lose touch with the soul of learning. May their fingers remember the delicate caress of paper, the weight of a book in their hands, and the gentle rhythm of turning pages. May they rediscover the joy of reading — true, unhurried reading — that reveals the world in ink-stained whispers and invites them to wander through the labyrinth of thought, unbound by time.
Let them savor the magic of absorbing stories woven on paper, the primal and ancient way humanity has passed wisdom from heart to hand. Let them know the sheer joy of learning — not as a task, but as a revelation, a sacred act of becoming. For when a mind stretches to understand, it transforms. And in that transformation lies the essence of what it means to be human.
Yet, as man and machine grow ever more intertwined, I fear that something fragile and essential may be forgotten: the art of human connection. In the era of screens and algorithms, the warmth of true relationships — within families, among friends, in the delicate dance of love — risks fading into memory. Machines may never falter; they may never forget or talk back. But it is the raw, unpolished, beautiful complexity of human interaction that defines us. It is the bond of shared laughter, the tenderness of understanding, and the courage of forgiveness that makes us whole.
I wish for a world where schools teach not only the brilliance of technology but also the wisdom of humanity. Let us teach our children that tools like artificial intelligence are not masters but servants of our purpose — designed to amplify our productivity, not to isolate us. Let them see that while technology offers answers, it is our shared experiences, our dialogues, and our dreams that give life its meaning.
If all knowledge rests at our fingertips, if every solution is a click away, then the challenge for humanity becomes not merely to innovate but to unite. Can we, as humans, come together, unburdened by the barriers technology sometimes builds, and work toward a future that is more compassionate, more connected, and more serene? Can we use the brilliance of our creations not to isolate but to illuminate?
This, I believe, is the ultimate purpose of education: to teach us to wield knowledge not as a shield but as a bridge, to embrace technology without losing touch with each other, and to guide humanity toward a future where joy, understanding, and unity prevail.
This is the vision I hold for the future of education, the promise I hope all schools will embrace, and the legacy I wish to leave for the generations yet to come.
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This series has illuminated the transformative potential of AI in education, from enhancing student learning to empowering educators and cultivating essential skills for the future. As technology continues to redefine the way we work, study, and live, embracing AI isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity. By fostering a deep understanding of AI’s capabilities and preparing students with critical skills, schools can ensure that the next generation is ready to lead in a world shaped by innovation and collaboration. Together, educators and learners are paving the way for a future where AI is not only a tool but a partner in progress.