AI Real Talk: The Curiosity Connection

What happens when OpenAI invites a small group of Codex power users to the mothership?

In this episode, Jethro Jones talks with Aaron Makelky about his trip to OpenAI’s Codex event in San Francisco, what it felt like to be in a room full of AI builders, and what the experience reveals about where AI tools are headed.

Aaron shares how attendees were selected, what it was like meeting Sam Altman, why a simple wooden Codex keychain became an unexpectedly human conversation starter, and how the best AI users are combining tools like Codex, Claude, image generation, and automation into practical workflows.

The conversation also turns toward education: why AI still gets framed as cheating, what students and educators are missing, and why the most valuable people right now may be the “middle” translators who can understand the bleeding edge and help everyday people actually use it.

In this episode

• What really happened at OpenAI’s Codex event
• Why OpenAI may have invited smaller creators and power users, not just influencers
• How Aaron met Sam Altman by being kind to a bodyguard first
• Why physical artifacts still matter in an AI-native world
• Codex vs. Claude: persistence, design, writing, and orchestration
• The difference between using AI to cheat and using AI to learn
• Why the gap between power users and everyday users is growing
• The opportunity for educators, consultants, and builders who can make AI approachable

Guest

Aaron Makelky is an AI integration consultant and former educator who helps schools, businesses, and professionals make AI practical, approachable, and useful.

Learn more about Aaron at aaronmakelky.com.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In the context of teaching and learning, what it means to stay deeply human, intellectually honest, and pedagogically creative in a world increasingly shaped by machines.

• CourseHero
• How do we do school now that AI is here? 
• Psychological safety for students. See Jethro’s article.
• Panels with students 
• Guiderails, buy in, ideas. 
• Student Success Council.
• Move from product to process. 
• Hitting the wall. How to restrain. 
• Just because everyone’s doing it doesn’t make it cool. 
• The water usage is fake…
• AI Literacy as it’s own literacy. 
• 4 phase AI scaffolding process
• It’s like you’re teaching them to drive a new car. 
• An AI Porsche experience

About Michael Angelone

As an English professor at American River College, Michael Angelone views composition and literary studies through a philosophy rooted in critical thinking, process-driven writing, and student-centered learning. His teaching approach reflects his commitment to preparing students to engage meaningfully with complex texts and contemporary cultural issues, balancing traditional literary rigor with forward-thinking andragogy.

Outside the classroom, he serves as advisor to the American River Review 2.0, mentoring students as they curate, edit, and publish a nationally recognized literary and multimedia journal. Additionally, his role on the editorial board of Ad Lumen Press allows him to champion diverse, emerging literary voices, guiding manuscripts from selection to publication while collaborating closely with authors to tell their stories.

As an Advisory Committee member of the Borchard Foundation Center on Literary Arts, he contributes strategic insights to programs that foster cross-cultural literary exchange, artist residencies, and literary fellowships, further enriching the literary community across the Americas.

His leadership as Vice President of the Los Rios College Federation of Teachers (LRCFT 2279) centers on faculty advocacy, fair labor practices, and educational equity. He actively works to ensure fair compensation, address full time/adjunct faculty disparities, and promote inclusive faculty development and mentorship, reflecting his belief that the quality of education directly correlates with faculty support and equity.

A proud delegate to CA Boys State (1997), his early experience in civic leadership and governance shaped his lifelong dedication to advocacy, leadership, and educational excellence. In each role—as professor, advisor, union leader, and literary advocate—he remains committed to advancing innovation, equity, and engagement in higher education and literary arts.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This week, we're sharing a special episode from The Learning Experience powered by CAST, part of the Be Podcast Network. 

You'll hear from Matt Winters, a leader from the Utah State Board of Education, discussing how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of teaching and learning. The conversation explores Utah’s statewide approach to AI, what it means for educators and students, and how schools can balance innovation with responsibility. The episode offers practical insights and big-picture thinking for anyone curious about the role of AI in education. This episode is brought to you by ReadSpeaker. Learn more about how ReadSpeaker aligns with UDL.

Transcript

Resources:

• USBE Artificial Intelligence 
• ReadSpeaker and UDL 

Listen and subscribe to The Learning Experience powered by CAST: https://www.cast.org/connect/learning-experience-podcast 

In this episode of Artificial Intelligence Real Talk, host Jethro Jones sits down with IT and cybersecurity expert Sam Bourgeois to explore how AI is transforming education—and the important questions schools must ask before diving in.

Key Topics:

• AI as an equalizer for students with disabilities – Both Jethro and Sam share personal stories of how AI tools have helped their neurodivergent children communicate and learn in ways previously impossible, introducing the concept of "cognitive equity."
• Rethinking learning objectives – The conversation challenges educators to ask: What are we really measuring? If AI helps a student achieve the true learning goal, does it matter how they got there?
• Personalized instruction at scale – From customizing math problems to match student interests to creating AI tutors based on a teacher's expertise, the hosts discuss AI's potential to individualize learning without burning out teachers.
• Data privacy and risk management – Sam brings his cybersecurity lens to the discussion, raising concerns about student data collection, profiling, the right to be forgotten, and what happens when ed-tech companies get breached or acquired.
• The irreplaceable human element – Despite AI's capabilities, both agree that authentic human connection in teaching cannot be replaced—and that's where educators should focus their energy.

Takeaway: Schools should embrace AI's potential to enhance learning while remaining vigilant about data privacy, asking the right questions, and keeping the focus on what truly benefits students.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

This is a segment from #UMustLearn Radio Show featuring Kevin Shindel, a 25-year social studies teacher at Montgomery Blair High School, discussing artificial intelligence in education with host Dr. Daryl Howard.

Topics Discussed:

Evolution of Technology in Education

• Kevin traces his journey from observing MySpace in 2005 to launching a "Digital Detox" program in 2012 after discovering over 50% of teens wake up at night to text
• Social media initially connected students but became weaponized once platforms monetized attention through AI algorithms
• Classrooms transformed from one screen (2002) to 2+ screens per student, fundamentally altering learning environments

AI as Ecosystem, Not Tool

• Drawing on Neil Postman's work, Kevin argues AI isn't a simple tool like a hammer—it's an ecological system that transforms entire environments
• AI will impact student relationships, communication, attention spans, memory, and critical thinking abilities
• The shift from social connection to attention capture has had devastating academic and cognitive effects

Implementation Concerns

• Relationships: Half of students report AI has harmed their teacher relationships, particularly when approached from a cheating-investigation stance
• Training & Policy: Schools lack adequate training and policies for responsible AI integration
• Student Agency: Students are already fluent in technology's impacts and must have a seat at decision-making tables

Non-Negotiable Criteria for AI Adoption

1. Purpose Alignment: Educators, students, and teachers must align goals before adopting technology
2. Cognitive Engagement: Design features must keep students doing the "heavy cognitive lifting"—no shortcuts to learning
3. De-humanization: Strip AI of anthropomorphic features; remind students it's "just crunching numbers"
4. Privacy Protection: Verifiable checks to prevent student data exploitation
5. Equity: Ensure tools don't widen the opportunity gap

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro sits down with Peter, author of the upcoming "AI Governance Professional Study Guide," to explore the complex intersection of artificial intelligence, privacy, and governance—especially in the context of education. They discuss the challenges of managing student data, the importance of anonymization, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI training, and the evolving role of educators in an AI-driven world. The conversation offers practical insights for schools and organizations navigating the opportunities and risks of adopting AI technologies.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Jethro interviews Derek "DC" Crager, a passionate advocate for making artificial intelligence accessible, especially for the neurodiverse community. DC shares his personal experiences as an autistic individual and discusses how AI can empower people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia to enhance their skills and independence. The conversation explores the unique challenges neurodiverse individuals face, the importance of supportive AI interfaces, and how technology can provide cognitive equity and a patient, understanding companion. DC also explains his work with Practical AI and AI for Autistics, offering insights into building inclusive tools and communities that help neurodiverse people thrive in education and employment. The episode highlights the transformative potential of AI as both a mentor and a bridge for communication, learning, and self-advocacy.

• Neurodiverse vs. neurotypical
• AI gives “us” someone to talk to
• Voice interface to be a patient anthropomorphic voice
• Speak with ourselves 
• Those of us with ADHD are either at 50,000 feet or deep in the weeds
• Cognitive Equity is what AI enables for people with disabilities to have a voice when they didn’t before
• Genius Within - spikey profile
• Lack of control over the words can be seen as ignorance or stupidity
• How to make sure that the AI is helpful and context aware
• Guardrails on the AI - for example, as a subject matter expert
• Navigating the community and context instead of just 
• GPS navigating vs. talking on the phone navigating
• Anyplace that a human can be offering mentorship
• 1:1 virtual mentor:student relationship
• Conversationally know and communicate about students
• Reach out to DC about free resources

About the guest:

Derek “DC” Crager, a passionate advocate for making artificial intelligence approachable and accessible, particularly for individuals within the neurodiverse community. As someone who is autistic, Derek has dedicated himself to fostering a supportive environment where people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can leverage AI to enhance their skills and income. Through his work at Practical AI, he emphasizes clarity and support, ensuring that users can navigate AI without being overwhelmed by its complexities.

Derek has also achieved notable success in his career, having developed Amazon's top-rated employee training program, which focuses on simplifying complex concepts for better understanding and application. His community, now boasting over 6,060 members, thrives on the principles of shared learning and earning, making it a valuable resource for educators and leaders alike. He is poised to share insights drawn from his journey and the impactful initiatives at Practical AI, promising to engage and inspire any audience.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, host Eli interviews Jonathan Mast, a leading expert in AI prompting. Jonathan shares his journey into AI, starting with the advent of ChatGPT, and discusses the importance of utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, Claude, and Perplexity for business growth. He introduces a simple four-step AI prompt framework and emphasizes the need for iterative communication to get the most out of AI. Jonathan also addresses misconceptions about AI's complexity and its ethical considerations, advocating for its integration in education and other fields. The episode concludes with Jonathan providing insights into leveraging AI for deep research and practical applications.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode,  Eli Davis engages Dr. Jonan Donaldson in a deep and thoughtful discussion on the intersection of AI, ethics, and education. Dr. Donaldson, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shares his views on how AI can augment human intelligence and transform learning. Topics covered include generative AI, complex systems, the importance of critical thinking, and the ethical responsibilities of educators in integrating AI into their classrooms.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

In this episode, Eli Davis talks with Zach Kinzler, an AI educator and advocate. They discuss Kinzler's background, his work in integrating AI into education, and his experiences working with students globally, including in Africa. Kinzler shares insights into AI trends, misconceptions, and the importance of AI literacy. Additionally, the episode touches on the Smarter Campus Podcast, Bootle Box, and practical tips for those in engineering looking to leverage AI.

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.