LUYA International School was honored to welcome Dr. Marc Ott, Principal of Leysin American School (LAS) in Switzerland, for a thought-provoking lecture titled Educating for the Future: What Should Students Learn by the End of High School in the Age of AI.

Dr. Ott challenged conventional ideas about so-called “Future-Proof Skills” such as coding, data analytics, spreadsheet modeling, and computer science. With rapid advances in AI, he argued, even these technical skills are becoming increasingly automated and less distinctive.

“What truly matters,” Dr. Ott said, “are the human capacities that AI cannot replicate — the ability to tell stories, to innovate, to connect with others, and to give meaning to knowledge.” He emphasized three enduring competencies:

Storytelling – turning information into meaningful, persuasive narratives that inspire action.

Creativity and Innovation – seeing connections across disciplines and imagining new possibilities.

Empathy and Human Understanding – recognizing people’s needs and shaping ideas that make a difference.

Dr. Ott also introduced LAS’s Changemakers Program, which integrates innovation, global citizenship, and experiential learning to prepare students as future leaders and problem-solvers.

“Education,” he concluded, “should not train students merely to pass exams, but to shape the world they live in.”

LUYA students actively engaged in the Q&A session, exploring how creativity, ethics, and human-centered thinking will guide their learning and future careers. Dr. Ott commended their insightful questions and forward-looking mindset, and expressed hope for deeper collaboration between LAS and LUYA.