Strategic foresight doesn’t just happen. It’s a planned approach that takes time, thought, and the right minds getting together to solve big-picture problems.

In June 2022, NetNZ began working with Chris Clay to explore future possibilities for networked learning in New Zealand. That initial work helped us identify key emerging trends across social, technological, environmental, and political spheres that would impact education. We continued this last year, expanding this strategic foresight work to more deeply examine our role in an education landscape being rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Our first collaboration highlighted the importance of building system-wide resilience and capacity in an ever-changing, complex environment. The events of recent years have only reinforced this insight, particularly as we’ve seen the acceleration of digital transformation in education and the emergence of AI tools that are reshaping how we think about teaching and learning.

Moving beyond traditional strategic planning, this expanded futures thinking work with Chris helps us stay ahead of the curve in several crucial ways. We’re conducting detailed environmental scanning to understand not just what’s emerging now, but what possibilities are opening up for networked learning in an AI-enabled world. This includes examining how virtual environments might transform collaboration, how AI could enhance personalised learning while maintaining community connections, and what new opportunities are emerging for connected education.

Through this enhanced strategic foresight work, we’re building on our previous insights while examining critical new questions such as:

• How can we help schools harness emerging technologies while maintaining the human connections that make networked learning powerful?

• What new possibilities for collaboration might emerge in the coming years?

• How can we strengthen system-wide resilience in an increasingly unpredictable environment?

• What role should NetNZ play in helping schools navigate technological change?

This continued partnership with Chris represents our commitment to not just keeping pace with change, but helping define what networked learning can become. In a time of rapid technological advancement, this forward-thinking approach is more important than ever for ensuring we continue to serve our schools effectively while helping shape the future of education in New Zealand.