AI is reshaping how schools hire and train workers
AI is changing education and workforce development in ways that require immediate attention from school leaders and educators. Michael Weening, CEO of Calix, and AI scholar Kate Crawford discussed these shifts at the 2026 CNBC CEO Council Summit.
The technology is affecting three core areas: how schools teach students, how companies hire workers, and how organizations operate internally.
What educators need to know
Schools are adopting AI tools in classrooms, but the shift goes beyond adding new software. AI is changing what skills matter most. Technical literacy now competes with critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability as core competencies.
Educators working in curriculum development face pressure to integrate AI concepts earlier in student learning. This isn't optional-employers increasingly expect graduates to understand how AI works and how to work alongside it.
Hiring and workforce changes
Companies are using AI to screen resumes, conduct initial interviews, and assess candidate fit. This creates new challenges for job seekers and new expectations for educators preparing them.
The workforce itself is shifting. Roles that existed five years ago may not exist in five more. Schools must prepare students for jobs that don't yet have clear definitions.
What this means for your school
Professional development for teachers becomes critical. Educators need training in both AI tools and AI literacy-understanding what the technology can and cannot do.
Curriculum decisions made now will affect students entering a job market shaped by AI hiring practices. Schools that wait to address this will fall behind.
For educators seeking to build expertise in this area, resources on AI for Education and Generative AI and LLM offer practical frameworks for understanding how these technologies work and how to teach them effectively.
The conversation at the CEO Summit reflected a broader reality: AI adoption in education isn't coming. It's here. Schools that acknowledge this and act now will better serve their students and communities.
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