Innovation in Action: AI, The Future & You

This year, through our Innovation Series, in collaboration with Stephen Taylor, our Director of Innovation, we’ll be sharing stories and examples of what innovation looks like across WAB. We’ll share stories from classrooms, examples from alumni, and insights from global partners. Our hope is that together, we can build a clearer picture of how innovation at WAB helps our students become better learners and prepared for life beyond WAB.

Innovation at WAB means finding better ways for students to learn, grow, and flourish. In this case, students built a foundation on careers intelligence, learning about future projections and rising skills. They were then guided to experiment safely with AI-assisted research to identify emerging industries, analyze trends, and explore pathways that could shape their lives beyond school. They critically evaluated AI’s suggestions, debated insights with peers, discussed with teachers and reflected on the ethical and practical implications of what they discovered. 

For some, the exercise revealed exciting new possibilities, from careers in data analysis and digital business to opportunities in governance and policy. One student reflected on how AI is driving fields such as machine learning and prompt engineering, while another noted how businesses are using AI to connect with customers, streamline operations, and spark innovation. Others explored how fields such as neuroscience, the arts and design were shifting with AI. These insights helped students identify courses, credentials, and real-world experiences that could set them apart in university applications and beyond. 

This blend of structured design and student-driven exploration is a great example of “little i” innovation at WAB, using “big I” ideas. The workshop itself, a carefully crafted session, with curated resources and guided facilitation, guided students through some of  “big I” innovations related to their fields of interest. At the same time, the reflective discussions, peer-to-peer learning, and iterative use of AI represented the little i of everyday growth: the small but powerful choices students make to deepen their learning. 

Students were encouraged to draw on their IB and WAB experiences of adaptability, critical thinking, teamwork, and global perspectives as they explored their futures. As one student reflected, the IB “trained me to think critically, manage my time, and handle complex workloads,” preparing them to navigate uncertainty with confidence. 

By experimenting with AI, reflecting on their own learning, and connecting present skills to future possibilities, WAB students demonstrated what innovation in action truly looks like: self-reflection, adaptability, and critical thinking.  

This workshop was featured by the AI Pedagogy Project at Harvard’s MetaLab; you can see a version of it here. Want to try it out yourself? Here, you’ll find the AI prompt template shared with students during the workshop, see what ideas it sparks for you.