In a recent conversation with Venla Bernelius, a special advisor from Finland's Ministry of Education and Culture, the critical role of education in shaping children's character in the age of advancing artificial intelligence was discussed. Bernelius fondly recalls her own primary school experience and emphasizes the importance of schools as safe spaces that foster community and personal growth. She experienced strong bonds with her classmates and indicates that such relationships are instrumental in developing social skills and values that AI cannot impart.

The dialogue raises questions about the evolving role of educators as technology becomes more integrated into learning environments. As AI increasingly takes over knowledge-based tasks and information retrieval, the central focus of education may shift from mere knowledge transfer to instilling virtues and ethical considerations among students. Bernelius stresses that, regardless of AI's capabilities, the human aspects of teaching will remain irreplaceable as they cultivate essential life skills.

Looking forward, the vision for the future of education will likely revolve around blending technological proficiency with interpersonal growth. The challenge for educators will be to create curricula that not only harness the power of AI but also encourage children to thrive as empathetic individuals in a rapidly changing world. This emphasis on character education may define the future landscape of primary education in Finland and beyond, where nurturing social responsibility becomes just as crucial as academic success.