The importance of real skills for the AI world

Friday, October 24, 2025, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EDT 
Online only: https://www.brookings.edu/events/the-importance-of-real-skills-for-the-ai-world 

It’s vital to equip learners with real skills that they can use in and out of the classroom. Foundational skills related to working memory, focused attention, and more are essential for traditional academics—but with AI turning “traditional” learning on its head, is a shift needed to the skills development paradigm?     

A forthcoming Center for Universal Education report on the potential impacts of generative AI on education finds that the reality is more complex—in fact, in an ever-digitalizing world, real skills that can’t be replaced by AI are of even greater importance—and could be under threat. 

On October 24, join us for a panel discussion on developing real skills for an AI world. Drawing on outcomes from the recent “Real skills for real life” AASA summit, an expert panel will explore these core themes and tease findings from upcoming Center for Universal Education research.

Viewers can submit questions by emailing events@brookings.edu or by using #RealSkillsforAI on X or Bluesky. For media inquiries, please contact globalmedia@brookings.edu.