Far Hills Welcomes Families for Thoughtful Community Conversation on AI, Education, and the Human Skills That Matter Most

Far Hills Country Day School was proud to welcome families and community members to campus for an engaging evening of dialogue and reflection as part of the Common Ground Speaks speaker series. Held in the Performing Arts Center, the event—AI, Education, & the Human Skills That Still Matter—brought together more than 200 registered guests for a timely and thought-provoking discussion about how artificial intelligence is transforming education and what students will need to thrive in the years ahead.

The evening began with a wine reception before guests gathered for a dynamic moderated panel featuring respected leaders in education, innovation, and business. Panelists included Dr. C. Edward Watson, Vice President for Digital Innovation at the Association of American Colleges & Universities; Darren Burns, Chief Innovation Officer at Morristown Beard School; Stephanie Hammond, Director of Digital Learning and Literacy at Newark Academy; and Marshall McLean, Managing Director at Bank of America Private Bank. The discussion was moderated by Michael Tiger, Founder of The Tiger's Edge and representative of Common Ground Speaks.

Throughout the evening, panelists explored the rapidly expanding role of AI in students’ daily lives. From research assistance and study tools to creative projects, gaming platforms, and social media, speakers noted that artificial intelligence is already influencing the ways young people learn, create, and communicate. The conversation emphasized that AI is no longer a future topic—it is already part of students’ everyday experience.

At the same time, panelists cautioned against overreliance on technology. A central theme of the evening was that meaningful learning happens through process, not simply polished outcomes. While AI can generate answers quickly, true understanding is built through persistence, revision, problem-solving, and productive struggle. Families were encouraged to continue open conversations at home about how children are using these tools and how to approach them thoughtfully and responsibly.

Perhaps the evening’s clearest takeaway was that even as technology advances, the most important skills remain deeply human. Critical thinking, creativity, communication, empathy, collaboration, adaptability, and sound judgment will continue to distinguish successful learners and leaders in any future landscape.

As a proud member and host school for Common Ground Speaks, Far Hills was honored to welcome families and educators for this meaningful program. We extend special thanks to Far Hills parents Katherine Brucchieri P'29, '31, and Shilpa Shah P'20, '23, '29, whose leadership, time, and dedication were instrumental in helping bring the evening to life. Their partnership and service are a wonderful reflection of the strength of our school community.

Want to relive the event? Check out our photo gallery here!