As AI reshapes work and life, schools are changing too. But before we redesign education, should we ask what it’s really for?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Education is one of the few institutions almost every Singaporean passes through - and one of the most contested. From debates about declining attention spans to rising anxiety, we now wonder about the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms. Questions about standards, equity, excellence and inclusion continue to surface.

Schools are expected to prepare students not just for jobs, but for citizenship and for lives that feel meaningful. Sometimes these expectations are in tension with one another as we grapple with the AI revolution that’s underway.

In this episode, we ask a more fundamental question: What purpose does education serve in a world increasingly driven by technology and AI? 

And how should our answers change when the world students are entering - shaped by AI and rapid technological change - may look radically different from the one schools were designed for?

Joining the discussion with Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat are Ms Elisha Tushara, The Straits Times education correspondent who spent a decade teaching before moving into journalism, and Dr Liu Woon Chia, Director and researcher at the National Institute of Education and co-founder of its Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

1:30 AI impact on education

11:55 What do PISA and OECD studies tell us?

15: 03 Friction in learning

19:35 A focus on human qualities in learning 

26:35 AI as a teacher’s tool

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Mubin Saadat (mubin@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

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#inyouropinion

As AI reshapes work and life, schools are changing too. But before we redesign education, should we ask what it&rsquo;s really for?
Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Education is one of the few institutions almost every Singaporean passes through - and one of the most contested. From debates about declining attention spans to rising anxiety, we now wonder about the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms. Questions about standards, equity, excellence and inclusion continue to surface.
Schools are expected to prepare students not just for jobs, but for citizenship and for lives that feel meaningful. Sometimes these expectations are in tension with one another as we grapple with the AI revolution that&rsquo;s underway.
In this episode, we ask a more fundamental question: What purpose does education serve in a world increasingly driven by technology and AI?&nbsp;
And how should our answers change when the world students are entering - shaped by AI and rapid technological change - may look radically different from the one schools were designed for?
Joining the discussion with Deputy Opinion Editor Mubin Saadat are Ms Elisha Tushara, The Straits Times education correspondent who spent a decade teaching before moving into journalism, and Dr Liu Woon Chia, Director and researcher at the National Institute of Education and co-founder of its Motivation in Educational Research Laboratory.
Highlights (click/tap above):&nbsp;
1:30 AI impact on education
11:55 What do PISA and OECD studies tell us?
15: 03 Friction in learning
19:35 A focus on human qualities in learning&nbsp;
26:35 AI as a teacher&rsquo;s tool
Read ST&rsquo;s Opinion section:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sH"> https://str.sg/w7sH</a>
Host: Mubin Saadat (<a href="mailto:mubin@sph.com.sg">mubin@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:
Channel:<a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt"> https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Apple Podcasts:<a href="https://str.sg/wukb"> https://str.sg/wukb</a>
Spotify:<a href="https://str.sg/w7sV"> https://str.sg/w7sV</a>
Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg
SPH Awedio app:<a href="https://www.awedio.sg/"> https://www.awedio.sg</a>
---
Follow more ST podcast channels:
All-in-one ST Podcasts channel:<a href="https://str.sg/wvz7"> https://str.sg/wvz7</a>
Get more updates:<a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts"> http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
The Usual Place Podcast YouTube:<a href="https://str.sg/4Vwsa"> https://str.sg/4Vwsa</a>
---
Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:
The App Store:<a href="https://str.sg/icyB"> https://str.sg/icyB</a>
Google Play:<a href="https://str.sg/icyX"> https://str.sg/icyX</a>
---
#inyouropinion

A hard look at the social issues of the month in Singapore. Join ST journalists and other guests as they discuss with Lydia Wong.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Podcasters: Lynda Hong

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Podcasters: Lynda Hong
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

In Your Opinion

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Podcaster: Lynda Hong

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.
Podcaster: Lynda Hong
Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim
Executive producers: Ernest Luis &amp; Lynda Hong
A podcast by The Straits Times, SPH Media.