Education Leaders Convene in Singapore to Build AI Decision-Making Skills
School leaders from across the globe gathered in Singapore on April 27-28 to develop practical frameworks for adopting artificial intelligence in their institutions. The Education in Motion Education Advisory Board held its inaugural summit at Dulwich College Singapore, bringing together approximately 40 educational experts including former presidents of Yale, Oxford, New York University, and Rice University.
The summit focused on equipping school heads with tools to evaluate AI tools critically rather than presenting ready-made solutions. Participants included heads from Education in Motion's global network of schools, the organization's central education team, and teacher representatives.
What School Leaders Need to Know About AI
Professor Rose Luckin from University College London, a leading researcher on AI in education, led a half-day workshop on how large language models function in educational settings. She emphasized that school leaders face decisions about AI adoption with incomplete information and competing commercial interests.
"The goal is not to tell them what to think, but to give them the tools to think clearly - to distinguish genuine evidence from commercial noise," Luckin said.
The summit prioritized evidence-based decision-making. Education in Motion's approach places students at the center of every technology decision, with technology serving pedagogical goals rather than the reverse.
Who Led the Discussion
The Education Advisory Board is co-chaired by Richard Levin, former Yale president and former CEO of Coursera, and Lesley Meyer, Chief Education Officer of Education in Motion. Other board members include David Leebron (former Rice president), Andrew Hamilton (former Oxford vice chancellor and NYU president), and Doris Sohmen-Pao (former Princeton trustee).
Levin noted that the question for schools isn't whether to engage with AI, but how. "That requires the kind of careful, evidence-based thinking that has always distinguished truly outstanding schools," he said.
Why Singapore
Education in Motion selected Singapore as the summit location because of the city-state's standing as a global hub for education and technology, and the organization's presence through Dulwich College Singapore.
The summit took place at The Greenhouse, a seven-story extension completed in 2023 that houses a 400-seat auditorium, STEAM workshop, teaching kitchen, and three black box theatres. The building holds Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy certification from Singapore's Building and Construction Authority, meaning it generates as much renewable energy as it consumes annually.
What's Next
The summit was part of a three-day program that included the board's first in-person meeting and Education in Motion's annual Blue-Sky Conference for school heads. Meyer said the summit represents the organization's commitment to "shape this important conversation" rather than simply follow others' approaches to AI in schools.
School leaders interested in building their own AI decision-making skills can explore resources on AI for Education or the AI Learning Path for School Principals.
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