The Handshake Ep. 12 – Impact of AI and Singularity on Global Education with Daithí O Mhurchú

In this episode of The Handshake, host, Teresa Hand-Campbell, sits down with Daithí O Mhurchú to explore the profound impact of AI and Singularity on global education. As technological advances accelerate, the landscape of education is rapidly shifting, with AI at the forefront of both opportunity and challenge. Teresa invites Daithí to delve deeper into the definition of Global Education and its intersection with connectivity, collaboration, and human contact—highlighting how educators must evolve to meet the demands of an AI-driven classroom. They discuss the potential of AI to democratize education while addressing the risks of digital colonialism and the widening divide between affluent and under-resourced regions. The conversation takes a critical turn as they explore the implications of the technological singularity—the point at which machine intelligence surpasses human cognition—on education systems worldwide. Is humanity already past this theoretical moment, and are educators prepared to navigate this new era? Drawing on case studies from Karnataka, China, and Brazil, the discussion brings global perspectives to the table, asking whether AI can truly offer equitable access to quality education across borders. With a focus on the ethical and cultural challenges in deploying AI in education, Daithí and Teresa ask whether the global education system can adapt to these changes—or if it risks exacerbating inequality. This episode offers essential insights into the future of education in the age of AI.