As the world around us evolves, so does the way we approach education. AI is rapidly transforming how we learn, offering powerful tools to enhance and expand opportunities. But while the technology itself is exciting, it’s the skills people develop that will shape the future in an AI-powered world.
We recently spoke with Prof. Alastair Beresford, Head of the Computer Science Department at the University of Cambridge, about how AI is reshaping education. He shared the key skills needed to thrive in this new landscape.
Ask the Right Questions
In a world where AI can provide answers to nearly every question, the ability to ask the right ones is more important than ever. Prof. Beresford emphasises that the quality of our input directly influences the quality of the output.
“If you don't ask the right question or don't convey that clearly, you're not going to get an answer that's meaningful to you.”
Students need to be able to challenge AI outputs, ensuring they are relevant, accurate, and aligned with real-world needs. AI can augment human capabilities, but it cannot replace the need for critical thinking and discernment, which brings us to the next vital skill.
Develop Critical Thinking: The Skill of the Future
As AI evolves, there’s a rising concern that students may rely too heavily on it, bypassing their own critical thinking. While AI tools like writing assistants and code generators make it easier to complete tasks, Prof. Beresford reminds us that convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of intellectual engagement.
“I think educators are also concerned because the same tools that we're using for this very positive activity, there are uses of which I think result in bad learning outcomes on the part of the student. If the student just uses some AI module to write their essay for them and takes no intellectual engagement with the activity, or they use Co-pilot to write their code and they submit it, they may get a perfect answer, but nothing has passed through their brain. We haven't trained the neural network and the head of the student, which is the goal of education.”
He then adds a critical point: “What comes out, you need to be able to critically evaluate it.”
AI may provide flawless results, but it can’t think for students. To truly learn, students must engage with the material, question AI-generated content, and understand the reasoning behind it. Critical thinking will always be the foundation of genuine education - no machine can change that.
Build Data Literacy
Data literacy is quickly becoming as essential as reading and writing. Prof. Beresford draws a brilliant parallel to basic math skills when discussing programming and data manipulation.
“This reminds me a bit of the analogy with why do we still teach primary school kids how to multiply and divide and conduct arithmetic with pencil and paper. And that's because we want to train their brains to understand those fundamental areas of mathematics. And so I think by analogy, there's a space in education for teaching people programming and making sure that they can do the basics.”
Just like learning the basics of math, understanding how data works will be essential for navigating the future. Students need to understand AI basics, the importance of data quality, and the ethical considerations surrounding data use. By building this knowledge early, we empower students to use AI effectively and responsibly.
Preparing for the Future
When it comes to AI in education, it’s essential that we prepare students with the skills they need to thrive in this new world. Prof. Beresford drives this point home.
“If we're not teaching our students the fundamentals, they might not ask the right questions that get the right answers.”
Looking ahead, the possibilities are incredibly exciting, and at Cambridge Spark, we’re committed to equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in the future.
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