Futurists Sinead Bovell and Natalie Monbiot on AI & The Future of Education | SXSW EDU 2025 Rewind

A prevalent theme within the culture of SXSW EDU is the future of technology and artificial intelligence, and the question of how we are meant to adapt to it, embrace it, and move forward in ways that are both ethical and efficient. At SXSW EDU 2025, educators and thought leaders of all kinds immersed themselves into AI-geared sessions in hopes to learn something new, take it home, cultivate it, and watch it grow.

The Featured Session AI and The Future of Education tackled key questions for educators specifically within the classroom, leaving them with inspiring new understandings of what is changing, and how they can evolve alongside it. The conversation was led by two futurists who study the implications of a non-traditional learning world.

Sinead Bovell, a strategic foresight advisor and co-founder of WAYE, works to prepare the next generation of leaders who will come of age in the ever-evolving era of technology. She advises government officials and policymakers on the future of education and what needs to change starting from the system’s own inner lining. Natalie Monbiot, a strategist and AI pioneer, moderated this conversation as it unfolded around the complexities of AI and its inevitableness within education settings.

Rethinking the Classroom Approach

During the session, Bovell and Monbiot discussed pressing issues that educators face in the classroom today, like cheating with AI.

“The safest assumption is that kids are going to be using AI at home, that means we need to change what we’re doing in the classroom, so in some instances we flip what happens at home in the classroom, the classroom has to be a place where deep learning happens.”

Sinead Bovell
Ceo & Co-Founder, WAYE

She encouraged more chances for assessment tracking and organic learning to understand personalized learning progress by using data from things like pop quizzes.

Systemic Fixing

The overarching message Bovell insisted on, as she faced an audience of educators looking for answers, was that the future of AI and education is dependent on systemic change. She emphasized that long-term redesign does not fall onto teachers.

“Most of these changes are what make up the composition of how we understand education. It means redesigning curriculum, grading and teaching systems. This moment does not fall on teachers: instead it falls on government, department heads, and those designing curriculum more broadly.”

Sinead Bovell
Ceo & Co-Founder, WAYE

Reminders of Humanity

Monbiot provided a gentle reminder that AI will never fully replace humans.

“What AI doesn't have is lived experience and deep insights that change you as you experience them in the world. They change your perception of the world, and change how you connect with others.”

Natalie Monbiot
Founder & Futurist, Virtual Human Economy (VHE)

Through the insights into AI, its future implications, and how much work is needed to be done at its root, new questions will continue to blossom as brand new technologies surface. This conversation worked to share a need for humanity and hope, and trust in future generations.

Like Bovell says, “The most important skills for the future are ones we can foster for free.”

Watch the full Keynote for more inspiring insights on AI and the future of education.

Watch SXSW EDU 2025 On-Demand Content

Take a look back at SXSW EDU 2025 and relive exciting Keynotes, Featured Sessions, and more, now available to watch on our official YouTube channel, plus listen to hundreds of audio recordings in the schedule.

Stay tuned for more information about registration and participation opportunities for SXSW EDU 2026 coming later this summer.

Photo by Tico Mendoza