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"Artificial intelligence will never replace human wisdom, which is essential in education," emphasized Avrum Tomer, Head of the Education Policy Department at the Kohelet Policy Forum. He spoke with Richárd Fodor, Researcher at MCC’s Learning Institute, about the future awaiting teachers and students. The conversation took place as part of the MCC Budapest Summit on Technology and Society, hosted as an external professional lecture at MCC’s training center in Eger.
Avrum Tomer, Head of the Education Policy Department at the Kohelet Policy Forum, expressed his appreciation for being in Hungary, a country he sees as sharing many of the same values as his homeland, Israel. As he highlighted, both nations place strong emphasis on fostering patriotism through education. In his words, “A good teacher is not only responsible for delivering curriculum, but also for passing on core values through their personal example.” He welcomed the growing recognition of the teaching profession in Hungary, made possible by recent government initiatives.
He stressed that teaching is among the most essential professions in any society. Addressing the rapid pace of technological change, Tomer emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between innovation and tradition. While new technologies should not be rejected outright, parents must play an active role in ensuring their children remain safe in an increasingly digital world. This calls for conscious parenting and education, especially in the areas of internet use and artificial intelligence. “We must preserve our values and traditions, while moving forward with the times,” he noted.
Tomer also warned of the risks associated with the unprecedented volume of information young people now access daily. According to him, it is the responsibility of both parents and teachers to help children interpret and filter this information critically. He identified information addiction as a growing issue of our age—one that can only be addressed through human wisdom. “We are not computers. We do not need to know everything. A good teacher sets an example by helping students understand what really matters and how to find relevant knowledge,” he said.
Looking ahead, Tomer spoke about the mission of teacher training in the 21st century: to prepare future educators for new challenges while grounding them in a firm system of values that allows them to serve as genuine role models for the next generation. “In this noble task, my country, MCC, and Hungary are completely aligned,” he concluded.
