AI in the class room

News

5 min. read

Bridging the AI gap

Our creative technologist Luuk recently had the opportunity to speak at an event organized by HTNO for educators in design education. Hosted by The Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences (Vereniging Hogescholen), this afternoon brought together professionals and educators to dive into the question: How do we educate the next generation of tech? Teaching technology, especially Artificial Intelligence, in a field that evolves at breakneck speed, feels like an exciting yet daunting challenge.

Together with Jasper Schelling, principal lecturer at Hogeschool Rotterdam, Luuk led a workshop on Artificial/Creative Intelligence, sharing their perspectives on integrating AI in real-world projects. Their focus? Not just what AI can do, but how it shapes our world—and why understanding its context is just as important as understanding the technology itself.

Technology changes, human needs remain the same

Jasper set the stage with a sharp analogy: “When I was a kid, the rules were simple—don’t talk to strangers on the internet, and never get into a stranger’s car.” Fast forward to today, and we do both daily, thanks to platforms like Uber. This shift highlights the massive, sometimes unpredictable cultural impact technology can have. Just like we’ve learned to trust strangers on the internet, AI is reshaping trust in ways we’re still navigating. So, how do we tackle this challenge? It’s not just about getting students to use AI, but helping them truly grasp its impact—so they can design the future with intent.

The workshop wrapped up with a thought-provoking roundtable discussion: How do we, as educators and students, recognise each other's strengths and limitations? It’s a deceptively simple question, but one that sparks deeper reflection.The key takeaway? As AI reshapes our fields, the real challenge isn’t just keeping up—it’s daring to redefine how we learn, teach, and create. And that starts with us. By collaborating, sharing knowledge, and embracing our collective expertise, we can better harness AI’s potential across disciplines. How are you equipping the next generation—or your team—to not only adapt to change, but to shape it?