The recent IB World Conference in The Hague unfolded against a backdrop of unprecedented developments in artificial intelligence. Since the emergence of the first consumer AI tools in November 2022, educational institutions like Collège Champittet have navigated a complex evolution in their approach. Initially, the focus was on assessing the impact on ethics and academic integrity, grappling with the new challenges these tools presented. This phase was swiftly followed by the discovery of AI's productivity potential, particularly in areas such as writing, translation, and the creation of presentations or videos. Now, the educational landscape is entering a third, ongoing phase where students are increasingly utilizing AI as a daily life companion. Tools like Copilot and Perplexity are no longer just utilities; they have become conversational partners and decision-making aids. This trend is particularly significant given that young people often face anxiety regarding life's challenges, and they are turning to these digital entities for guidance and support. The impending shift towards 'active agents' or intentional AI—designed with the specific purpose of helping students acquire knowledge or even alleviate adolescent melancholy—signals a future where the line between tool and companion becomes increasingly blurred. This progression from a tool for tasks to a source of counsel represents a fundamental shift that demands a thoughtful and proactive response from educators.
In this new era, Champittet is called upon to reaffirm and focus on the elements that constitute our core humanity, which are uniquely embodied in the original relationship between students and teachers. While seeking help is a legitimate and healthy impulse, the outsourcing of one's cognitive and volitional faculties to an algorithm presents profound risks. The school's philosophy emphasizes the irreplaceable value of taking a step back from ourselves, of constantly questioning the 'why' and seeking meaning beyond mere information retrieval. It is crucial to maintain a perspective where AI is regarded as just one instrument in a broader educational toolbox, not the entirety of it. The human qualities that define a Champittet education—genuine smiles, shared humor, unsolicited attention given freely by a caring teacher, and the beautiful imperfection inherent in human learning and interaction—are elements that will long remain the exclusive domain of human experience. These are the pillars upon which a resilient and authentic education is built, ensuring that students develop not only intellectually but also emotionally and socially, prepared to use technology wisely without being defined by it.
