Edufuturists #336 Why AI Literacy Can No Longer Sit on the Edge with Dr Emily Musil

In this episode of the Edufuturists podcast, we are joined by Emily Musil from the Milken Institute to explore how education, philanthropy and technological change are colliding in powerful ways. Emily shares her journey through higher education, EdTech and global learning projects, before unpacking her current work helping philanthropists and institutions invest in the future of education.
The conversation explores why AI literacy and computational thinking now need to be seen as part of the core learning experience, not as optional extras or specialist subjects. We discuss the growing pressure on higher education to rethink old models, the importance of lifelong learning, and the role of philanthropy in funding experimentation, innovation and system change.

Emily also reflects on the balance between high tech and human-centred learning, arguing that the future of education should combine personalised digital support with collaboration, empathy and real-world problem solving. It is a conversation about imagination, urgency and the need to build learning systems that are more flexible, more equitable and more fit for the world ahead.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:15 Emily Musil’s background in Education and EdTech
05:09 The Milken Institute and Strategic Philanthropy
07:33 Global Trends, Regional Priorities and Systems Thinking
10:11 AI Disruption and the Need for Future-focused Thinking
14:51 Why AI Literacy Must Become a Core Skill
16:01 Personalised Learning and What Schools Can Do Differently
19:26 Higher Education, Business Models and Resistance to Change
24:15 New University Models and Experimental Approaches
26:46 Lifelong Learning and Education as a Continuum
30:08 How Philanthropy can Catalyse Change in Education
35:47 Computational Thinking, AI+ and Human-Centred Learning
40:11 Competition, Global Opportunity and Prize-based Innovation
45:22 Quickfire Questions

Find out more about Emily: https://milkeninstitute.org/experts/emily-musil-phd
⁠Download the Milken Institute's latest AI Report⁠: https://milkeninstitute.org/content-hub/research-and-reports/reports/computing-imperative-building-americas-talent-engine-age-ai
⁠Hear about Milken's latest partnership with Drew University⁠: https://drew.edu/2025/11/10/drew-university-announces-a-new-college-created-to-reimagine-higher-education/

Thanks so much for joining us again for another episode - we appreciate you.

Ben & Steve x

Championing those who are making the future of education a reality.

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