Q&A: Putting the 3 Horizons to Work

In our last Field Notes, we introduced the 3 Horizons framework, a tool that helps us bridge the present and the future. We received some great questions on applying this method and wanted to bring it to life with a real-world example: An educational future where AI supported teaching environments enable personalized learning at scale.

Horizon 1: Today’s Reality
​Examining the current state of both generative AI and education establishes our baseline. This helps us consider what needs to evolve as well as what we can retain and use in the future:

• Limited support tools and timeframes for teachers

• Students grouped together based on age instead of ability and/or interest

• Standardized tests measure learning and establish progression

• Biases of algorithms reinforce inequities, especially for historically marginalized groups

Horizon 3: The Future
​This is the future we're targeting, where students and teachers are thriving with AI-supported personalization at scale:

• Infrastructure and systems for AI supported learning are operational

• Bias monitoring and mitigation processes established

• AI technology is reliable and aligned with educational best practices

• Educational staff training programs exist to ensure effective and appropriate AI integration

Horizon 2: The Bridge
​But how do we get from where we are now to this future? We start by considering gaps from many angles: what are skills that need to be developed, policies that may need to be put in place, partnerships that need to be developed? Pro tip: using STEEP analysis as you dive into Horizon 2 helps to ensure you cover a broad range of opportunities to take action towards your desired future outcome.

• Teacher development programs are being established with a focus on technology certification, training, and empowerment

• Identification of tech partners who are transparent about how their AI tools are trained and how they address bias.

• Specialized AI tools and curriculum are developed for targeted educational contexts

• Practical implementation and learnings through pilot programs with support for diverse learning needs