Reflections on The Human Factor of AI Conference

Written by ISZL Director Barry Dequanne

This past weekend, ISZL had the honour of hosting The Human Factor of AI Implementation conference (Press Release), co-organised with SBS Swiss Business School and organised by Dr. Michael Gerlich.

I was grateful for the opportunity to help open the event (Full Speech), which brought together 40 internationally recognised AI thought leaders and more than 300 participants for an inspiring and thought-provoking exploration of the future of AI in education and beyond.

Yet this gathering was more than a conference. It felt like the beginning of a global dialogue on the human dimensions of AI and a clear reminder that innovation must always serve people first. As one ISZL parent observed:

This wasn’t about prompts or productivity hacks. It was about what really happens when AI meets humans, habits, fear, and friction.

The same parent reflected further:

The most interesting moments weren’t about tools or trends. They were about the tension. The resistance. The hesitation in the room. That’s where the real work happens. We don’t need to be experts. But we do need to stay curious.

For ISZL, the conversation is especially timely. As we continue to embrace AI as a powerful resource for learning, we are intentionally navigating three central tensions:

1. How do we ensure curiosity is not replaced by convenience?
2. How do we protect attention and well-being in a world of endless input?
3. How do we help students stay grounded in empathy and integrity amid technological change?

What elevated the conference and distinguished it on an international stage was the presence of ISZL students on every panel. They sat alongside entrepreneurs, researchers, government representatives, and global AI experts, contributing with clarity, insight, and remarkable composure. Again and again, we heard how impressed the audience and panellists were with their critical thinking, communication skills, and thoughtful reflections. A special thank you to ISZL teacher Bob Sugden, whose guidance, encouragement, and steady support helped our students engage so confidently and meaningfully throughout the conference.

These moments are not isolated. Only recently, I watched Primary students speak confidently at an assembly, and Middle School students perform with poise on stage before their peers and visiting adults. Their ability to move naturally between performance, presentation, and intellectual debate speaks to a shared thread intentionally woven throughout our learning programmes: students are constantly engaged in communicating, reflecting, presenting, public speaking, and exchanging ideas.

Partha Gopalakrishnan, one of the conference moderators, captured this beautifully. He described ISZL’s students as curious, courageous, and ready to shape the future of AI with human values at its core. He went on to highlight their clarity, confidence, and depth of thought. It was, without question, a proud moment for our school.

And then came a question from one of our students that held the room still:

With AI taking over many entry-level jobs, will there be work for us when we graduate? What should I do?

There was a long pause. The moderator and panellists recognised that there was no simple answer. Later, Partha reflected that perhaps this is the essence of the Human Factor, not always having answers, but having the courage to ask the right questions.

In the end, the exchange reinforced a hopeful truth. The curiosity, empathy, and courage our students bring to these conversations are precisely the qualities that will shape a better and kinder world.

Barry Dequanne
Director