On Monday, April 6, author, educator and AI expert Peter Nilsson visited the Hilltop to lead a day-long workshop with Pomfret’s History & Social Sciences and English Departments, exploring the evolving nature of AI in education. 

What began as a conversation about artificial intelligence — its capabilities, its risks, its place in the classroom — quickly became something more enduring: a reflection on teaching itself. What does it mean to assess learning? What skills matter most? And what, in a classroom, is truly irreplaceable?

At Pomfret, those questions aren’t new. Faculty have been actively exploring the role of AI in teaching and learning, embracing its potential where it enhances the student experience and setting thoughtful boundaries where it doesn’t. But like the technology itself, the conversation continues to evolve. 

The idea to bring Nilsson to campus took shape early in the school year, when members of the history faculty began discussing the need for a leading voice who could help navigate the increasingly AI-saturated world. While attending the annual conference of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) in Boston this fall, History & Social Sciences Department Head Dr. Alyssa Walker sought out recommendations, looking for someone who would not only inform but also challenge and inspire. Nilsson’s name came up again and again. With support from The Grauer Family Institute and the Class of 1967 Faculty Impact Award endowed fund, that idea became a reality.

“We’ve already been thinking hard about how AI fits into our classrooms,” says Dr. Walker. “This workshop gave us the chance to step back, challenge our assumptions, and refine our approach. It was also a valuable opportunity to share ideas and learn from colleagues across departments.”

In advance of the visit, faculty read Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning, Nilsson’s new book co-authored with Maya Bialik. The title itself became something of a touchstone for the day, capturing the tension at the heart of the conversation.

Throughout the workshop, Nilsson guided teachers through both big-picture questions and practical applications. Faculty examined research in learning science and explored emerging AI tools and practices, reflecting on how best to support student learning in this rapidly shifting landscape. 

By the end of the day, there was a shared sense of momentum and a recognition that this is ongoing work, and that engaging with it thoughtfully matters. If anything, the workshop reinforced a central idea: that even in a moment of rapid technological change, the heart of teaching remains deeply human.
 

Read More Stories