I had a great time presenting insights from Generation1.ca’s Global Industry Skills Study on the future of learning and higher education and the top skills employers value today in my talk Brains Over Bots: Critical Thinking in the Age of Artificial General Intelligence. Critical thinking has emerged as the #1 essential skill across industries, with other in-demand capabilities including project management, sales and business development, data, and strategy/insights.
My talk explored how educators and learners can navigate today’s rapidly advancing AI and tech landscape and prepare for an AGI future that some big tech leaders hypothesize could arrive as soon as 2028. If we’ve already moved from artificial narrow intelligence to more capable AI, how do we sharpen human critical thinking to thrive in that next era? As data leaders, our role is to anticipate a range of scenarios (from best to worst) so preparing for the arrival of AGI, whether sooner or later, is essential, and this hyperlinked discussion is further proof of why talking about the future in a deliberate way helps us be more intentional about skill-building.
At Humber Polytechnic’s FLAS Symposium, I shared three approaches and engaged in a post-presentation discussion with esteemed diverse colleagues across academia:
Avoiding the humanization of AI, recognizing that AI does not have lived experiences, sensory perception, or contextual realities, but rather operates on the data and inputs it is trained on.
Balancing long-term sustainability with short-term growth.
Embedding continuous critical thinking through skills testing, upskilling, and lifelong learning.
Meeting AI “where it is” helps us keep perspective, while vigilance around AI harms, risks, and accountability frameworks ensures more responsible innovation.
The top takeaway? In a socio-technical world, prosperity depends on relentless learning, responsible governance, and the courage to think critically today and tomorrow. We try to engage our member communities and my students to expand their critical thinking skillsets in various ways including through participation in our career fairs and case competitions, with the next one happening in the Fall on September 26, Friday between 10 am – 5 pm EST.
My former student, Flora Jiang, a past bronze winner at Generation1.ca’s case competition, earned a well-deserved recognition for digital excellence in the classroom. The following excerpts were read out to the audience about Flora from my nomination package:
“Whether navigating complex topics or reflecting on real-world applications, Flora approached discussions with curiosity and clarity. Her discipline and diligence were evident in her punctual submissions, thoughtful reflections, and steady commitment to academic excellence.
Importantly, her presence had a ripple effect – by modeling focused inquiry and respectful dialogue, she helped foster a collaborative atmosphere where others felt empowered to contribute. Her proactive learning attitude and consistent engagement made her a role model among peers, and her growth throughout the course was a testament to her dedication.”
It was my privilege to nominate her, and to our delight and pride, she was honoured at the forum’s closing ceremony alongside a select group of learners who were invited to receive their prizes.
