Last March, it was an honor to welcome Harvard political philosopher and ethicist Michael Sandel to Menlo for an incredibly impactful visit. With his signature Socratic style, he sparked curiosity, challenged assumptions, and inspired meaningful dialogue, drawing students into lively debates on pressing moral issues like college admissions lotteries, predictive policing, and appearance-based hiring. Many of the most complex and nuanced exchanges centered around AI, a topic that has also been at the center of many conversations among Menlo’s Senior Leadership Team, Board, and faculty members, as we chart the School’s path forward in this time of rapid innovation.

AI’s capacity to fundamentally shift education is undeniable, and it’s easy to see some ways it will enhance learning. And yet, I took this rare opportunity to engage with Professor Sandel on the possible downsides of students outsourcing their thinking to AI—or relying on the “easy button”—especially given that we know foundational skills, intellectual resilience, and confidence are so often built through the process of wrestling with a tough problem or refining a demanding draft...