Future Ready Festival

In celebration of National Careers Week, Haileybury’s annual Future Ready Festival was eagerly anticipated, particularly with this year’s theme of ‘Own your future. Connect, Create and Thrive,’ which set the tone for a morning filled with insightful panel discussions, interactive workshops and practical guidance.

The Future Ready Festival is an inspiring and informative event for students across Years 9–12, bringing together thought leaders, industry experts and Old Haileyburians to share their knowledge on the future of employment and skills needed to thrive in life after graduating.

A highlight of the event was the keynote panel discussion, ‘AI is revolutionising industry, but we still need humans,’ led by Dr Stephan Muller, Haileybury Deputy Principal (Education Research & International). The panel featured Old Haileyburian Paul Burgess (Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Monash University), Janine Arantes (Associate Professor and national expert in AI and education at Victoria University), and Leah Heiss (Associate Professor and Research Chair in Design at Monash University).

In a time when students are increasingly concerned about the impact of AI on future job opportunities, the panel provided reassurance and clarity. Paul Burgess explored the concept of the Rule of Law, emphasising how AI must be harnessed responsibly to enhance its effectiveness and align with ethical standards. Leah Heiss shared the importance of creating safe and equitable AI futures, encouraging students to play an active and creative role in shaping technology where humans and AI collaborate, rather than compete. Janine Arantes highlighted the ongoing value of human engagement in shaping, guiding and working alongside AI in all fields.

Following the keynote, students participated in a variety of workshops led by experts from diverse industries, including medicine, biotechnology, exercise physiology, commerce, teaching, architecture, human resources, weather research, galleries and museums, and more. These sessions provided students with insights into industry trends, emerging career paths and the critical skills required for future success.

A number of these presenters were Old Haileyburians, Haileybury parents, and professionals from industry and tertiary institutions, all of whom generously shared their experiences and advice. Dr Ty-Ron Ching (OH 1994) of Bioron Pharma, spoke about the irreplaceable human qualities required in medicine, particularly the need for empathy and pastoral care that AI cannot replicate. Another Old Haileyburian, Mitchell Stoneman (OH 2010), Director of Explore Careers, guided students through the fastest-growing industries, the skills most valued by employers, and the ways AI and automation are reshaping the world of work. He encouraged students to focus on developing human-centric skills, noting that the future will see more roles evolve and grow, rather than simply disappear.

The Haileybury Future Ready Festival left students feeling empowered, informed and optimistic about their future. Through engaging with industry leaders and participating in hands-on workshops, they gained a clearer understanding of the opportunities ahead and the importance of adaptability, creativity and the importance of the human touch in an AI-driven world.