The discussions began with a compelling comparison between AI's rapid evolution and historic technological milestones, such as the first human flight in 1903 and the launch of Sputnik in 1957. While these milestones took decades to materialise, AI has demonstrated its disruptive potential within just two years, most recently resulting in significant impacts like job losses at TikTok, where AI replaced human roles. This rapid shift highlights both the opportunities and challenges AI brings to education.

While AI adoption appears feasible in higher education, attendees highlighted challenges in primary, secondary, and rural schools, including teacher absenteeism, limited infrastructure, internet access issues, and teacher training gaps. The discussions emphasised that AI’s impact could be either positive or negative, depending on how educators adapt to this technology.

A significant takeaway was that AI should be viewed not as a replacement but as an extension of human teaching. AI tools can provide 24/7 academic support, particularly in large classrooms where one-on-one interactions are limited. Educators were encouraged to adopt a critical, pragmatic approach to AI integration, using it to enhance universal design for learning, foster critical thinking, and democratise access to education. However, the need to address challenges like digital equity and potential algorithmic biases was also underscored.