Conversations That Shape the Future of Education

Ideas have a way of taking shape when people gather with shared purpose. On the afternoon of 26 March 2026, at a Dream Classroom in Shenzhen, a group of educators, donors, and long‑term partners came together not to chase the newest technology, but to ask a quieter and more enduring question: how should education evolve in an age shaped by artificial intelligence?

At the invitation of the Adream Foundation, Peak II Foundation participated in the Dream π Salon — “Living with AI: Literacy, Perspective, and the Future of Education.” What unfolded was not a technology briefing, but a thoughtful exchange grounded in lived experience, educational values, and shared responsibility.

When Technology Meets Lived Reality

The session was led by Mr. Qin Wei, AI Product Director at Adream Foundation, whose career spans more than two decades in multinational IT companies. Drawing on concrete examples from the classroom rather than abstract theory, Mr. Qin shared how AI has gradually been integrated into Adream’s work — from AI‑enabled Dream Centres to teacher literacy programmes designed to support educators in under‑resourced regions.

Particularly moving were reflections from teachers in western China who had participated in sustained training programmes. Their experiences made one truth clear: technology, on its own, does not transform education. People do. Tools matter only when they are placed in the hands of educators who understand their students, their communities, and the realities of learning on the ground.

This perspective resonated deeply with Peak II Foundation’s belief that systems change becomes meaningful only when it strengthens human connection rather than replacing it.

Returning to the Heart of Education

The conversation was further enriched by Ms. Xu Ji, Principal of Shenzhen Avenues School, who invited participants to step back from the speed of technological change and return to first principles. In an AI‑accelerated world, she asked, what should education protect? What capacities do children need—not only to succeed, but to live well?

Her reflections centred on independence of thought, adaptability, and a sense of responsibility to others. Although Adream Foundation and Shenzhen Avenues School serve students in different contexts, both share a common conviction: education must support the whole person, not just measurable outcomes.

A Question Without a Final Answer

As the afternoon drew to a close, participants broke into small groups to discuss a deceptively simple question:

“AI in the Dream Classroom — YES or NO?”

There was no attempt to reach consensus. Instead, the conversation focused on balance—how to use AI without dependency, how to preserve relationships in learning spaces, and how to ensure that critical thinking grows alongside technological capability.

What emerged was not agreement, but understanding. And that, perhaps, was the point. Just as with community‑building work, meaningful progress in education comes not from quick answers, but from sustained dialogue grounded in mutual respect.

Why This Conversation Matters

It would be easy to describe the Dream π Salon as a discussion about AI. But at its heart, it was about people—educators seeking better tools, children needing thoughtful guidance, and institutions choosing how technology fits into their values.

At Peak II Foundation, we believe that education, like community, is built through relationships. Data can inform decisions, and tools can support learning, but the direction we take depends on the values we choose to uphold together.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Adream Foundation for convening this exchange and for its continued commitment to building learner‑centred, data‑informed educational environments. As education evolves, we remain committed to walking alongside partners who approach innovation with care, reflection, and integrity—ensuring that progress always serves people, not the other way around.