Explicitly teaching the art of discernment – Key skills needed for an AI reality
AI is not a tool, it is our new reality. We need to teach young people how to be a human in an AI reality. The focus of education needs to become one that strives to equip young people to the skills of analysis, critical thinking, synthesis, skepticism and discernment. It is time to adapt what we do in school I meet the needs of our new reality. This workshop will focus on the skills and dispositions that will make us successful, regardless of what the future holds.
Facilitated By
James Unsworth
Deputy Head of School, Australian International School Malaysia
A quality education stays with us for life — it shapes grounded individuals with a strong sense of belonging and purpose. It is reflected in innovative, problem-solving minds, visible in achievements, and evident in the ability to learn from missteps.
As an educator and leader, James Unsworth places relationships at the heart of everything. Believing that Collective Teacher Efficacy fuels every great school, he strives to build trust through care, integrity, and service, while nurturing these as shared community values. The energy and passion of the school community are what unite and propel it forward. Through a commitment to empowerment, open-mindedness, and a spirit of adventure, James inspires others to become “norm entrepreneurs,” shaping the future together. He values a community of learners dedicated to continuous improvement, using frameworks such as PLCs, Impact Cycles, and Teaching Sprints.
A firm believer in the importance of metacognition, innovation, and eloquence, James works to foster a Culture of Thinking through the Eight Cultural Forces, Mindfulness, and the Habits of Mind. Through the co-creation of Thinking Routines, he encourages colleagues to “know their impact,” guiding learners to become assessment-capable Visible Learners. As a leader, he promotes active and reflective listening, empowering teams by supporting Connectors, Mavens, and Salespeople to expand their Circles of Influence.
Having personally benefited from impactful experiences beyond the classroom, James is a passionate advocate for holistic education. He champions embedded service learning and a wide range of co-curricular programmes, including Debating, the World Scholars Cup, Model United Nations, and both sporting and non-sporting activities — particularly Netball and Rugby — that build empathy, responsibility, and leadership.
In his role as Deputy Head of School at the Australian International School Malaysia, as well as through consultancy work and annual lectures at Worcester College, Oxford, James continues to champion educational excellence and leadership through the Oxbridge Academic Educational Leadership Summer Seminar Programme.
