Carla Rinaldi of Reggio Emilia’s Thoughts on AI
Carla Rinaldi, one of the great educators and educational philosophers of the past half century, passed in April 2025. Today, while attending an event celebrating the life, work, and powerful ideas of Carla in Reggio Emilia, I came across an interview that reminds us why the educators of Reggio Emilia are such a profound and serious beacon leading us to a future in a world that truly loves its children.
Cristian Fabbi (Director of Fondazione Reggio Children)
With regard to Al, what is intelligence?
Carla Rinaldi
“On the subject of Artificial Intelligence, schools and institutions around the world are proceeding without a shared direction. The big question is: what is intelligence? We have thousands of possible definitions, including those offered by our friend Howard Gardner years ago, who stated that there is not one intelligence, but rather multiple intel-ligences. As much as we are willing to change our ideas, I would not give up this path. In fact, artificial intelligence must be guided by natural intelligence and, above all, by the right questions. And who is stronger in questions than us, we who have learned from children, playing and learning with them?
So, don’t be afraid. We have the tools, the creativity, the imagination, the compassion, to be able to protect our freedom of thought. We play with Artificial Intelligence, training critical thinking and the ability to ask the right questions. What is your point of view? What are the limitations you see?”
In fact, artificial intelligence must be guided by natural intelligence and, above all, by the right questions. And who is stronger in questions than us, we who have learned from children, playing and learning with them?
Carla rinaldi
Resources
Learn more about our friend Carla Rinaldi through her books and videos here.
