Laura Liguori on Future-Ready Schools, AI Literacy, and the Skills Students Need Now

In this episode of the Global Skills Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Liguori, Head of Curriculum at Britannica Education and a globally recognised leader in curriculum innovation, AI integration, and future-ready learning. With more than 20 years of experience spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Laura brings a rare global lens to how education systems must evolve to meet the realities of rapid technological change. We explore how traditional, textbook-driven models are giving way to inquiry-based, skills-focused learning — and why this shift is no longer optional. Laura shares what she’s seeing firsthand across international schools and governments, from AI-driven national curricula in the Middle East to emerging “future schools” using robotics, adaptive learning platforms, and immersive technologies. We unpack why critical thinking, reasoning, digital literacy, and ethical AI use are becoming foundational skills, and why memorisation alone is no longer fit for purpose in a world where information is instantly accessible. We also dive into one of the biggest challenges facing education today: the disconnect between schools, higher education, and industry. As jobs evolve faster than curricula, Laura explains why collaboration across sectors is essential — and why educators must be supported with time, vision, and strategy to implement meaningful change. Throughout the conversation, she reinforces a powerful message: technology should enhance learning, not replace humanity. The future of education depends on balancing artificial intelligence with natural intelligence — and acting now. Connect With Laura Liguori https://uk.linkedin.com/in/laura-liguori-9b2929b5 Connect with the Global Skills Podcast Connect with the Host Vanessa Wainwright LinkedIn Visit Our Website https://www.globalskillspodcast.com Send us an email at [email protected]