ES
Fundación Telefónica’sTelos Forum: Digital Education brought together leaders in education and technology to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education systems. Nieves Segovia, president of SEK Education Group, highlighted the urgency of a deep transformation in education systems to adapt to the AI era, and reflected on its opportunities and risks. Charles Fadel, author, futurist, education expert, founder of the Center for Curriculum Redesign and advisor to SEK Education Group; Magdalena Brier, CEO of Profuturo and Miguel Costa, director of Institutional Relations of the Foundation Empieza por Educar, also took part in the panel discussion. The president of SEK Education Group described the current moment as a critical point for education, since “we are facing a great disruption, for which there are no retaining walls“. She pointed out that the traditional education system, inflexible and slow to adapt, faces the challenge of incorporating agile and effective practices. In his speech, he called for a revaluation of the role of the teacher, stating that “the ideal teacher is the one who understands his students, connects with them and knows how to motivate them to develop their best version”. For his part, Charles Fadel emphasized that “in a world that is constantly changing, the best gift we can give our students is the ability to adapt and learn to learn”. He proposed a balanced mix between teaching traditional knowledge and cross-cutting skills, arguing that “it is not a matter of choosing between one or the other, but of integrating both to prepare students for an uncertain future.” Fadel also stressed that education systems must modernize their curricula, prioritizing subjects such as data science and engineering, and applying methodologies that combine theory with practical projects. He asserted that “it is necessary to teach for transfer, so that what is learned can be applied in different contexts throughout life.”
Opportunities and threats of AI in education
Nieves Segovia stressed that AI could facilitate an unprecedented personalization of learning, allowing educators to focus on human aspects, and that “technology can automate tasks, but it cannot replace the essential role of the teacher as a guide and mentor in the classroom”. On the other hand, he warned about the risks of the education system losing relevance to external agents if it does not adapt quickly. However, she highlighted the enormous opportunity to “hyper-personalize the educational model and reach the student where he or she is.” According to her, the responsible use of AI could make education more human, allowing students to develop key skills such as critical thinking, creativity and self-directed learning. During the meeting, our experts discussed how the technological revolution has profoundly impacted all areas of our lives in recent years. Participants agreed that the success of this transformation lies in redefining the purpose of education. Segovia concluded his remarks with a call to action. “This is our opportunity to build a system that is more humane, more adaptive and more in tune with the needs of our society and our students.” The Telos Forum closed with an optimistic consensus: education is at a moment of profound redefinition. With the right tools and the commitment of all stakeholders, AI could become a key ally for a more equitable and meaningful education.
Photograph courtesy of Fundación Telefónica. Photograph by Ricardo Domingo
