Paul Welty, PhD AI, WORK, AND STAYING HUMAN

Bookmark: Reimagining higher education in a rapidly changing world

Explore how higher education can drive sustainability and innovation, shaping future-ready learners amidst rapid global changes.

Reimagining Education 2024 highlights the critical role higher education must play in crafting a sustainable future. The conference discussions on AI, collaboration, and expanding lifelong learning opportunities are particularly thought-provoking. It’s evident that education holds the key to addressing major global issues and preparing students for the challenges ahead. These insights underscore the transformative potential of today’s educational innovations.

“At our universities, we believe that collaboration among higher education stakeholders is important in enhancing learning pathways and preparing future generations for success. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for learners worldwide.”

Reimagining higher education in a rapidly changing world

The QS Reimagine Education 2024 conference focused on how higher education can contribute to creating a more equitable and sustainable world in the face of rapid technological and societal changes. Dr. Jean Lakys and other leaders advocated for proactive reimagining of education’s role in societal progress through collaborative innovation. The Reimagine Education Awards acknowledged pioneering educational approaches, underscoring the importance of sustainability and equitable learning access, as exemplified by the projects Smart Forests and Smart Campus Innovation. Addressing the future of work, the conference highlighted the critical need for skillsets such as AI and digital competencies due to anticipated job shifts by 2030. Martin Baxter emphasized the role of universities in advancing sustainability initiatives through interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, the summit advocated for constructive disagreement and pluralism on campus to foster holistic citizen development, as expressed by Dr. Michael Spence. Moreover, partnerships between the Global North and South were discussed as pivotal for equitable educational growth. The integration of AI in education was debated, calling for creativity and responsible use, rather than restriction. Lastly, the rethinking of lifelong learning models, such as micro-credentials, was presented as crucial for student adaptability in an uncertain future.


Featured writing

Why customer tools are organized wrong

This article reveals a fundamental flaw in how customer support tools are designed—organizing by interaction type instead of by customer—and explains why this fragmentation wastes time and obscures the full picture you need to help users effectively.

Infrastructure shapes thought

The tools you build determine what kinds of thinking become possible. On infrastructure, friction, and building deliberately for thought rather than just throughput.

Server-Side Dashboard Architecture: Why Moving Data Fetching Off the Browser Changes Everything

How choosing server-side rendering solved security, CORS, and credential management problems I didn't know I had.

Books

The Work of Being (in progress)

A book on AI, judgment, and staying human at work.

The Practice of Work (in progress)

Practical essays on how work actually gets done.

Recent writing

We always panic about new tools (and we're always wrong)

Every time a new tool emerges for making or manipulating symbols, we panic. The pattern is so consistent it's almost embarrassing. Here's what happened each time.

Dev reflection - February 03, 2026

I've been thinking about constraints today. Not the kind that block you—the kind that clarify. There's a difference, and most people miss it.

When execution becomes cheap, ideas become expensive

This article reveals a fundamental shift in how organizations operate: as AI makes execution nearly instantaneous, the bottleneck has moved from implementation to decision-making. Understanding this transition is critical for anyone leading teams or making strategic choices in an AI-enabled world.

Notes and related thinking

Article analysis: The Rise Of The Micro-Credentials Movement: Validating Skills Beyond Traditional Degrees

Explore how micro-credentials bridge skill gaps, enhance hiring, and offer affordable, flexible learning options for today's workforce demands.

Article analysis: Not using AI is “disservice” to students

Integrate AI in education to enhance learning and prepare students for future jobs, ensuring they thrive in an AI-driven world.

Bookmark: Arizona School’s Curriculum Will Be Taught by AI, No Teachers

Unbound Academy in Arizona revolutionizes education by using AI for personalized learning, freeing up time for essential life skills workshops.