Today, we're discussing knowledge and skills in preparing students for the future – which is more important? Can they be separated? And do we still need subject knowledge in the age of AI?

Your host for this episode is Education Futures Manager, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by Abbi Barnett, Director of Cambridge 3–19 Curriculum, and Irenka Suto, Head of Secondary Curriculum.

Show notes:

Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/

Brighter Thinking Pod episode 53: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2IbUaD80-Y&list=PLi4xGU_d7k_KkGCe3ZD5pOr59F-DIWHBn&index=3

Brighter Thinking Pod episode 54: Do students feel prepared for the future? https://www.cambridge.org/education/blog/2026/01/23/brighter-thinking-pod-ep-54-do-students-feel-prepared-for-the-future/

At Cambridge, we recently published a report titled Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world. The report captures the voices of thousands of teachers and students from around the world, offering a wealth of perspectives on readiness for the future from those at the heart of education. Today, we're speaking to two Cambridge students – Nadine and Stepan – who contributed to the report. We'll be talking about their studies and how well prepared they feel for life beyond school.

Show notes

• Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: https://cambridge.foleon.com/cambridge-international-education/future-ready-learners/

• ADKAR model for managing change: https://www.prosci.com/methodology/adkar

• Model United Nations: https://www.un.org/en/mun

• Cambridge Global Perspectives: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/cambridge-global-perspectives/

Today, we are launching a new report looking at how students across 150 countries are prepared for the next step in their education journey and for the future beyond education in a rapidly changing world. Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world, draws on responses from 3,021 teachers and 3,840 students worldwide and 50 experts with profound insight.

Here to talk us through the research is host and Education Futures Manager at Cambridge, Laura Kahwati. She is joined by a very special guest, Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith.

Show notes:

Navigating the future: Preparing learners to thrive in a changing world report: www.cambridge.org/future-ready-learners

Watch this episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/g2IbUaD80-Y