The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

System Design, AI and the Future of Education with Tracey Burns S9E5 (125)

The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

Show Notes

What are we at risk of losing in our pursuit of efficiency, innovation, and AI-driven transformation in education?

Are we designing systems for resilience—or are we unintentionally reinforcing inequality through the paths of least resistance?

In this insightful conversation, Louka Parry is joined by Tracey Burns—Chief of Global Strategy and Research at the National Center on Education and the Economy, former OECD leader, and international systems thinker. Speaking from Paris, Tracey draws on her global experience to explore how education systems are evolving—and what we risk losing in the process. Together they dive into the accelerating impact of AI, the legacy of the OECD’s Four Future Scenarios for Schooling, and the urgent need for wisdom, not just innovation, in navigating complexity. From learning models to system inefficiencies, Tracey unpacks why we must be more intentional in preserving what matters—especially the deeply human relationships at the heart of learning. This episode is a call to anticipate, adapt, and interrogate the uncomfortable truths shaping our futures.

More from The Learning Future Podcast with Louka Parry

Oct 6, 2026

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry is joined by educator, entrepreneur and Future Anything founder Nicole Dyson to explore what learning needs to become in a world being rapidly reshaped by AI. Together, they challenge the false divide between knowledge and capabilities, arguing instead for capability rich learning, where young people build strong foundations of knowledge and then learn how to apply what they know in complex, unpredictable and unfamiliar contexts. Nicole discusses why engagement matters, how AI is changing the skills young people will need beyond school, and why capabilities such as agility, communication, collaboration and agency cannot be developed through linear learning experiences alone. The conversation also turns the lens back on educators. If we want young people to become explorers, risk-takers and adaptive thinkers, teachers and schools need the confidence to experiment too, loosening control, staying intellectually curious and creating learning environments where both educators and students can operate at their growth edge.

Sep 29, 2026

In a world increasingly driven by technology, Isabelle Hau emphasizes a shift back to what makes us truly human: our relational abilities. During her conversation with Louka Parry on the Learning Future Podcast, Isabelle champions the idea of relational intelligence, arguing that the future of education and work will hinge on our capacity to connect, collaborate, and navigate complex social landscapes.

Sep 22, 2026

In this episode of the Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry connects with Guy Claxton and Emily Poel, authors of Bodies of Learning: How Embodiment Science Transforms Education. Their conversation dives deep into the relationship between our physical selves and the learning process, shedding light on how embodiment can reshape our understanding of intelligence and education.

Apr 14, 2026

In this episode, Louka Parry speaks with architect, urban designer and author Danish Kurani about the powerful but often overlooked role of physical space in shaping how we think, feel and learn. From classrooms and homes to supermarkets and cities, Danish argues that design is never neutral. It influences behaviour, wellbeing, creativity and connection in ways we rarely notice until we learn to see it. Together, they explore what great learning environments require, why flexible furniture alone is not enough, and how educators, leaders and parents can become more intentional designers of the spaces that shape human flourishing.

Apr 7, 2026

In this episode of The Learning Future Podcast, Louka Parry speaks with Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, about the changing purpose of education in an age of AI, uncertainty and rapid technological change.

See all episodes →