In March 2020, education systems around the world made a decision that felt inevitable at the time. When schools closed, we decided that technology would replace classrooms. Laptops became desks, platforms became pedagogy, and screens became the connective tissue of schooling. At the moment, it felt like a rescue mission. But years later, UNESCO would name it something else entirely: …

I am very excited about the future of education. The challenges ahead are not simply technological; they are deeply human. Our greatest hurdle will be the need to re-understand and re-prioritize what truly matters in learning. The future will demand that we cultivate a culture where learners feel empowered to fail forward, grow through struggle, and develop a lifelong love of learning driven by agency, not compliance.

Our map to the future of education, The Fusion Model, explains how systems responsibly move through change —so they do not mistake technological possibility for educational readiness. Within the 2059 Trend Radar, the Fusion Model provides the underlying logic that governs how emerging technologies move from early signals of change to culturally stabilized educational practice. Each ring represents not simply a future state, but a distinct phase of human-centered adoption.

In this groundbreaking exploration of education's future, Dr. Micah Shippee charts a course through the next several decades of learning, offering a visionary yet pragmatic roadmap for educators, administrators, and policymakers. From AI-powered personalized learning to brain-computer interfaces, from global virtual classrooms to space-based education, 2059: The Future of Education examines how emerging technologies and societal shifts will transform the way we teach and learn.

Why the Future of Education Became the Conversation Some years are defined by activity.Others are defined by attention. In 2025, conversations about the future of education accelerated dramatically—not because of a single technology or trend, but because educators, leaders, and institutions are actively searching for clarity in a moment of profound change. Across my blog and LinkedIn presence, the data tells a consistent story:

How We Navigate Change — Even When the Road Ahead Is Unclear Introduction: Finding Clarity in the Fog As educators, leaders, and parents, we often find ourselves navigating rapid and unpredictable change. Technology evolves faster than we can adopt it. Expectations shift. Systems transform. The future can feel foggy not because we are unprepared, but because the world is demanding something new from us — something deeper than simply learning the next tool.

What will the world look like in 2059? More importantly, how will we prepare our children for it? In my book, 2059: The Future of Education, I explore the forces shaping tomorrow and what they demand from us today. Here are five foundational ideas to guide our vision for learning: 1. A Glimpse into 2059: The Orwellian LeapThirty-five years from now, society will look fundamentally different.

Walk through any city and you will notice the small ramps at every street corner — “curb cuts.” They were originally created to help wheelchair users move safely from sidewalk to street. What no one predicted was how universally useful they would become. Parents with strollers, travelers with rolling suitcases, delivery workers — everyone benefits. That is the curb-cut phenomenon: when we design with empathy for those at the margins, we end up creating better systems for all.

The conversation about AI in education has often started with fear. Can students still be trusted to write their own essays? Will detectors catch misconduct? Should we return to blue books and oral exams? These questions matter, but they do not go far enough. If we remain focused only on cheating, we miss the deeper disruption at hand: the future our students are stepping into looks nothing like the workforce of the past.

🌎 Just wrapped an incredible day of professional development at Lincoln International Academy in 📍Nicaragua! We worked with over 100 passionate educators—from preschool through 12th grade, including their amazing coaches and staff. Our focus? Helping teachers embrace change, leverage AI practically, and prioritize SEL (with Laura Shippee) as we prepare students for a future where artificial intelligence plays an increasingly central role in education.

I am looking forward to speaking at ISTE and connecting with attendees. For me, the best part of ISTE is meeting with colleagues new and old, catching up, and thinking about the future for our students. With that in mind, I wanted to let you know about a few places you can find me. If you will be there please join me at these two ISTE sessions (click to add to your calendar with locations): Hope to see you in San Antonio!

Reflecting on the Future: A Conversation on My EdTech Life with Fonz Mendoza I recently had the privilege of joining Fonz Mendoza on My EdTech Life for Episode 321, and what an energizing and meaningful conversation it was! As a returning guest, it felt like catching up with an old friend—Fonz is not only an incredibly thoughtful host but also a passionate advocate for meaningful conversations in education.

In a world often dominated by dystopian visions, we must intentionally take a different approach. Rather than dwelling on potential catastrophes, I invite you to rediscover something we seem to have lost along the way: the excitement of imagining our future. The Lost Art of Technological Optimism Remember when we used to dream about flying cars and robot companions? Landspeeders and R2D2 are still pretty cool….

Watch Dr. Micah Shippee discuss Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow competition and how new inventions can have far-reaching impacts

Interview with PBS NewsHour Classroom discussing ed tech integration in a social studies classroom and its impact on work at Samsung, focusing on transforming teaching, demonstrating adaptability, and Samsung's Solve for Tomorrow competition. Here is a summary of key interview themes: Early Adoption of EdTech: discussion on embracing educational technology early, using tools like computers, tablets, and interactive displays to enhance learning retention.

The future of teaching and learning is at risk unless we open up dialogue about preparing for a future we want our children to have. Bill Gates recently stated AI will replace teachers (and doctors) within 10 years. While I accept the comments were made within a larger context, the sentiments are concerning. (source: The role of the human-teacher in humanizing the learning experience is critical and must be part of our future-preparedness narrative. In 2059, we unpack a future that strives for authentic meaning-making, that is continually humanized, to help our students embrace what comes next...