Ateneo SALT & RIFE host Humans in the Loop: Conversations on GenAI in Education

On 18 Nov 2025, teachers and students gathered for Humans in the Loop: Conversations About GenAI in Education, a #PassTheSALT initiative of the Ateneo Institute for the Science and Art of Learning and Teaching (Ateneo SALT). The event was held in collaboration with the Research Institute for the Futures of Education (Ateneo RIFE) as part of Ateneo SALT’s ongoing capacity-building efforts on GenAI in education.

Recognizing that teachers and students may have unique, independent and valuable sentiments that come from their own ways of using and engaging with Gen AI, this event aimed to build community and have participants leave with a shared understanding and appreciation of how we can engage meaningfully with GenAI. 

To create a safe space for both parties to share their insights and foster a more open and casual conversation, Ateneo SALT and Ateneo RIFE gamified the discussion through prompts and reaction cards. 

Each round began with participants placing themselves on an opinion spectrum and expressing their stance on certain topics. They then used reaction cards to build on the conversation and share their thought process, challenge an idea, or simply express their feelings. 

After the discussion, each group was invited to reflect on what sentiments they shared and what they can do moving forward. 

Coming from different backgrounds and perspectives, students and teachers across the five Loyola Schools entered the conversation with varied experiences and expectations about GenAI. However, as they listened to one another, shared concerns and hopes began to emerge. Many spoke about wanting clearer guidance on when and how AI should be used, as well as the importance of preserving genuine effort and critical thinking in the learning process. Others highlighted how AI can support understanding when used thoughtfully and with proper framing.

Even with differing viewpoints, the conversation revealed a common desire to make sense of GenAI together and uphold the value of the human voice and human effort to enhance learning. Ideas were clarified, perspectives shifted, and participants left feeling a little more grounded as we continue navigating this evolving part of education. 

For those interested in holding their own conversations between learners and educators, materials are available for borrowing from GBSEALD. Just send an email to salt@ateneo.edu.