In the age of AI, teaching networking principles remains more important than learning protocols
Kids can learn why BGP matters in a semester, but that won’t leave them ready to implement it
In the age of AI, teaching networking principles remains more important than learning protocols. This sentiment was echoed at the SIGCOMM 2026 Education Workshop, which explored the role of AI in education. The hybrid event featured a large number of remote participants and high-quality production. Among the highlights was a co-chairing session with Jim Kurose, where the importance of engaging students in the design process through hands-on activities was emphasized.
The use of programming assignments and animation slides was discussed, along with the idea of "Networking Unplugged," where students design mechanisms using tangible materials like rope. The potential benefits of AI in teaching were also explored, with the suggestion that students could tackle more complex networking problems with the help of AI coding agents.
However, the skepticism around using LLM-generated code in production remained. The panel also delved into the question of how one becomes a networking educator, with the speaker emphasizing the importance of learning by observing and emulating experts.
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