What Kids Need to Learn
in the Age of AI
We asked 50 teachers, students, education leaders, economists, psychologists, and technologists to share their thoughts and predictions about what skills and knowledge kids will need to master in the era of AI.
Highlights from our interviews
I think the things that kids need to thrive in the age of AI are the things that kids needed to thrive in the age of Aristotle.”
Angela Duckworth
Professor, University of Pennsylvania; Faculty Co-Director, Penn-Wharton Behavior Change for Good Initiative
There are other disciplines that provide students with skills to navigate and succeed in this future AI world. But I would say that there is no combination of disciplines that could exclude mathematics. Math has to be in the game.”
Shalinee Sharma
CEO and Co-Founder of Zearn
I think the most immediate threat of the large language models is to the very notion of writing and its contribution to thought. ”
David Coleman
CEO, College Board
The core academic skills that have been the proxy for whether we can think critically, are not the only target anymore. [K-12] has to include the durable skills that we know are predictive of success not just in school, but in life and in the workforce.”
Timothy Knowles
President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Excitement about learning …is probably one of the most important qualities that we can have. That seeking of learning, that wanting to know more and building expertise…”
Carol Dweck
Professor of Psychology, Stanford University
This generation is going to have to become detectives…. Any app on a phone can create things that never occurred. So I think we really have to teach them how to look for the truth of things. What kind of sources can they use to help find out, ‘Is this true? Is this real?”
Wendy Hedeen
Teacher, English and Computer Science, Northside Christian School, FL
AI literacy is really a critical life skill, especially understanding how the algorithms work and how they are shaping us. And it's critically important that we teach our children how these algorithms work… because they are engaging with these algorithms at very young ages.”
Jennifer Carolan
Co-Founder and Partner, Reach Capital
It’s very hard to predict because as with any new technology we don't really know how people will integrate it into their lives and work…so this is just a confession of massive uncertainty...and also the K through 12 [system] has been in many ways surprisingly resistant to changes that could have been argued for a century ago.”
Stephen Pinker
Professor of Psychology, Harvard University
One of the most important things you can learn about AI is understanding how to recognize what is AI...as well as recognizing the ethical uses of it.”
Caleb Taft
12th grade (graduated), Warren, NC (18)
Those who thrive are going to be those who can ask critical questions, probe, and push.”
Shavar Jeffries
CEO, KIPP Foundation
How can young people use AI as a kind of creative thought partner? And what that means is that they need to be in the driver's seat. They need to be asking the questions. And the AI should not be telling them what to do, but the AI should be helping to broaden or inspire their thinking about what they can be doing.”
Margaret Honey
President & CEO, The Scratch Foundation
About the project
In an era of exponential improvement in artificial intelligence (AI), what knowledge, skills and abilities remain important for K-12 students to master?
Over the fall of 2025 and winter 2026, the Valhalla Foundation conducted 50 interviews with teachers, students (ages 13-21) and thought leaders, asking them the same question:
- How is AI going to change the knowledge, skills and habits students must master by the end of 12th grade to thrive in the workforce and as citizens?
Explore the five major themes that emerged from what we heard using the navigation buttons below. Then check out four potential design challenges for the field to consider, and give us your ideas. Download the summary report for more background on the project.