Is AI creating a new kind of addiction? AI risks repeating social media’s mistakes by creating artificial connection instead of authentic relationships. This article explores how design choices shape addiction, why empathy and presence matter in education and leadership, and how universities and organisations can foster digital resilience, critical reflection, and human-centred learning in an AI-driven future.

I remember the moment clearly. I was standing in front of my very first class in Australia. In front of me sat a group of adults from six different countries and vastly different cultural backgrounds. There were 20-year-old backpackers from France and South America, published authors and artists from all over Australia, emerging entrepreneurs, and even two senior scholars who wanted to learn how to communicate their field to 'outsiders.' No pressure, right?

Watching foreign films, TV shows, and reading books from other cultures is a way to train, expand and broaden our cultural intelligence. Some years ago, I found myself reflecting on the transformative power of foreign narratives. Having spent much of my life traveling, living, and studying in diverse countries, I’ve always been drawn to the rich tapestry of human culture. My career, particularly my work with immigrants, refugees, and expats, has deepened this connection.

Stories are the threads that weave the fabric of our identities. They shape our understanding of the world, our place within it, and ...