If You’re Still Scared of AI, You’re Failing Our Kids

Last night I attended a talk hosted by educators who interviewed a well-known AI professor here in South Africa. It left me genuinely excited — and deeply reflective — about what the future could hold, and what we’re actually doing in education to prepare for it.

Some key takeaways hit me hard:

1. This moment in history will be the slowest AI will ever develop — meaning we’re at the slowest pace right now.

2. Even the scientists behind AI don’t fully know what the future will look like with AI embedded in it.

3. The conversation about our future with AI must be multi-disciplinary, in-depth, and ongoing.

4. And yet, there are still so many people — especially in education — who have their heads firmly buried in the sand.

Back to education, especially in the South African context: it’s clear to me that our students are going to be left behind if we keep teaching the way South Africa does now. Quite frankly, it’s irresponsible for any educator or school leader to not be introducing students to AI. It’s not a “nice-to-have” — it’s the future. And the AI tools that exist today are only the tip of the iceberg. Allowing students to use them responsibly, as tools for learning and creation, should be the bare minimum we do.

I have three concerns (which I mean no disrespect by):

1. Educator’s Preparedness in South Africa

I really hope I’m wrong, but from my own interactions within different types of education, the conversation about AI is mostly driven by fear — and spoken about in hushed tones, if at all. It is concerning even more so that we are entrusting the preparation of our children’s futures to educators who, in many cases, barely needed a 40–50% average in Matric to qualify for teacher training and have not been exposed to AI. It’s scary to think we expect these same educators to guide our children into a world powered by rapid change. Or the educator’s already in the system are bogged down with administrative tasks, low salaries and are generally in survivor mode with zero capacity to think about the movement of AI. Please note that I am generalising and that there are some educators out there (thank goodness) that are having the conversations.

2. Educator’s and School’s Focus in South Africa

This is a tough one because most government schools in South Africa are taking care of basic needs (nutritional and social) and skills (reading and counting), which should take priority to introducing AI (paradoxically, AI could help solve some of the problems the schools face. So, I get it, it is harder in the public-school space. But in the private education sector, why are we worrying about whether a child can copy notes quickly enough off a chalkboard, form the perfect letter “a”, or rote learn facts they’ll forget tomorrow? That’s starting to look pointless — and frankly, a colossal waste of time.

3. Are we even going to get there, or are South African students going to be left behind? Because the education sector is HISTORICALLY known for being slow to improve.

For me, the future of education in an AI world should look like this:

1. Schools should be places where: Students discover their passions, interests, and values. Curiosity and inquiry are practiced daily. Relationships, community, and real connection come first. Students feel safe to figure life — and themselves — out. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity are prioritised.

2. AI should be seen as an effective tool — much like a tractor is to a farmer (thanks, John Sanei, for that analogy!).

I’m grateful for the way I get to educate — in a space where there’s time to find passions and ask questions; where connection and community come first; where students feel safe to create, produce, and solve real problems; and where AI is invited in to assist, not feared. This is already different — but after last night, I don't know if it’s enough. The future demands more. It demands better use of our time, our tools, and our courage to innovate.

There are many schools, leaders and individuals that inspire me to keep pushing forward into this new paradigm. I look forward to the steps we’ll keep taking — together — into our AI-powered future. It’s time to stop fearing AI and start using it — wisely, creatively, and boldly — to build a better education system for the future ahead.