In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alex Kotran, CEO & Co-founder of the AI Education Project (AIEDU), to tackle a pressing issue: the AI literacy gap in schools and what it means for the next generation.

Most students graduate without a basic understanding of how AI works—even as it influences job markets, decision-making, and daily life. Meanwhile, many teachers feel unprepared to integrate AI into the classroom, and underserved communities risk being left even further behind.

Alex shares how his journey—starting in political organizing and later transitioning into AI policy and governance—led him to an alarming realization: schools weren’t teaching students about AI at all. His solution? AIEDU, an initiative focused on making AI literacy accessible to all students—not just the privileged few.

Key Takeaways:

🚨 Why AI literacy isn’t just about coding—it’s about critical thinking, ethics, and understanding AI’s role in society.

🚨 The dangers of leaving AI education out of the curriculum—especially for underserved communities.

🚨 How schools can start integrating AI without massive budgets or advanced tech resources.

🚨 The real-world skills students actually need to succeed in an AI-driven world.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

Looking to streamline your event planning? Apple Invites is a new AI-powered tool that helps iPhone users create and manage custom event invitations, track RSVPs, and even build collaborative music playlists. Plus, attendees can share photos and videos in a shared album—making event coordination smoother than ever.

This conversation is a wake-up call for educators, policymakers, and business leaders—if AI is shaping the future, we need to ensure every student has the tools to navigate it.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of AI education—and what we need to do before it’s too late.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Dr. Michael Connor, CEO & Founder of Agile Evolutionary Group, to explore how AI is transforming education, leadership, and strategic change.

Dr. Connor isn’t just following AI trends—he’s engineering the future. His Agile Diagnostic and AI Platform is redefining how school leaders approach data-driven decision-making, inclusion, and student empowerment. He breaks down the 22nd Century Education Model, explains how AI can close achievement gaps, and shares what superintendents and education leaders need to do now to stay ahead.

Michael also takes us inside his biggest AI 'aha' moments, from recommender systems to how AI helped an entire district redefine literacy benchmarks. Plus, he shares his AI wish list—what’s missing, what’s next, and how we can push AI further in education.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week

AI isn’t just about hype—it’s about how you use it. This week, Rebecca shares why AI needs to be treated like a strategic partner rather than a gimmick. She breaks down:

✅ How to use AI as a project manager to streamline workflows

✅ Why clarity in AI prompts matters—and how to get better results

✅ How AI research tools like Google Deep Research can revolutionize the way we work

🎧 Tune in for a bold, no-nonsense conversation on how AI can truly revolutionize learning—if we use it the right way.

Pushing AI to the Limits: Innovation, Education, and the Future with Special Guest Michael Yates

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Michael Yates, a leader at Teach for America’s Reinvention Lab, who is redefining what AI can do in education. Mike isn’t just talking about AI—he’s pushing it to its limits, experimenting beyond traditional classrooms, and challenging the way we think about its role in learning.

Mike shares how AI is being used in unexpected ways, from university sports teams to creative industries, and why the real power of AI isn’t in maintaining the status quo but in breaking it. He discusses the AI tools he swears by, including PlayLab AI, School AI, and Canva’s AI Suite, and why Microsoft Copilot went from a tool he dismissed to an essential part of his workflow. He also reflects on his "Apollo 11 moment", when AI helped a struggling student jump three reading levels in a single year, completely changing his view on its potential. Throughout the episode, Mike calls out what’s wrong with today’s AI conversations and shares his vision for how education can move forward by focusing on real solutions rather than hype.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week

AI can be a game-changer, but only if you use it the right way. Rebecca shares why you should stop treating AI like a gimmick and start using it like a project manager. By giving AI clear direction, letting it help prioritize tasks, and integrating it into daily workflows, you can turn it into a powerful assistant that actually improves productivity and effectiveness.

Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on where AI is headed and how we can ensure it drives real change in education.

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by Dan Fitzpatrick, also known as The AI Educator. Dan is a bestselling author, Forbes contributor, and a leading expert on AI in education. He takes us through his latest book, Infinite Education, which provides a strategic roadmap for schools looking to embrace AI effectively and future-proof their teaching strategies. Dan shares how educators can leverage AI to empower students, enhance classroom experiences, and prepare for a rapidly changing landscape.

In true AmpED to 11 style, we put Dan through our signature 11 questions—exploring everything from his journey into AI to the practical ways teachers can integrate these tools into their daily workflows. Dan offers invaluable insights into how AI can act as a partner in the learning process, providing support without replacing the human touch.

Dan’s approach is both strategic and practical, offering a clear vision of how AI can transform education for the better.

AI News of the Week

Brett and Rebecca dive into the latest developments in AI, including Google's Deep Research tool and its potential to revolutionize how educators and students approach research. They also explore OpenAI’s new "Tasks" feature, which brings automated reminders and planning assistance into everyday workflows.

Top AI Tool of the Week

This week's AI tool is ChatGPT Tasks, a new feature that allows users to schedule automated reminders and recurring actions directly within ChatGPT. Whether it’s setting daily task lists, organizing lesson plans, or sending gentle reminders, ChatGPT Tasks is an exciting step towards AI-powered personal assistants in education.

Tune in for valuable insights on the evolving role of AI in education and actionable strategies you can start using today to stay ahead of the curve.

AI in the Classroom: Project Cafe and the Future of Teacher Feedback with Special Guest David Adams

In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma are joined by David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly. David takes us through his innovative work with Project Cafe, an AI-powered platform transforming the way teachers receive feedback. This tool provides real-time insights into classroom dynamics, helping educators refine their teaching strategies, improve student engagement, and create a more impactful learning environment.

In true AmpED to 11 style, we put David through our signature 11 questions—exploring everything from his experience in education innovation to his thoughts on the future of AI in the classroom. David shares how AI is not just a tool, but a catalyst for more meaningful teacher-student interactions, and how Project Cafe is empowering educators to make data-driven decisions without losing the human touch.

David's perspective is both practical and visionary, offering actionable insights into how AI will continue to shape the future of education.

AI News of the Week

Brett and Rebecca dive into some intriguing AI news this week! First up, OpenAI's latest developments, including their ChatGPT Pro plan and the Sora text-to-video model, both of which are causing a stir in the AI world. They also talk about how AI is becoming more interactive, like the ChatGPT voice feature, and how it’s being used to bring some fun and practical applications into our everyday lives, such as voice-driven experiences for kids.

Top AI Tool of the Week

This week's AI tool is Google NotebookLM – a fantastic tool for educators and researchers. It allows users to integrate multiple sources into a notebook and interact with them through AI-generated conversations. It’s a powerful way to quickly synthesize information and make sense of complex documents.

Tune in for valuable insights on the future of AI in education, along with tips and tools you can use right now to stay ahead of the curve.

Exploring the Future of Education with EdTech Innovations

Welcome to the very first episode of AmpED to 11, the podcast that’s here to turn up the volume on the world of education and edtech! Hosted by Brett Roer, CEO and founder of Amplify and Elevate Innovation, and Rebecca Bultsma, an edtech expert with a passion for transforming how we learn, AmpED to 11 is your backstage pass to the exciting intersection of education, technology, and innovation.

In this inaugural episode, Brett and Rebecca explore how the best and brightest ideas in education technology are reshaping the future of learning, both in and out of the classroom. From AI-driven education to virtual learning environments, personalized learning experiences, and adaptive learning tech, they dive deep into the tools, platforms, and trends that are making waves across K-12, higher ed, and corporate learning. Whether you’re a teacher, a learner, or a leader in the education sector, you’ll want to tune in as they break down how edtech is transforming the way we learn, teach, and thrive.

But don’t worry, this isn’t just another tech talk. Brett and Rebecca bring their unique perspectives, seasoned expertise, and a dash of humor to every conversation, ensuring that every episode is packed with insights and ideas you can actually use. They’re here to challenge the status quo and make sure you stay ahead of the curve.

In this episode, they discuss everything from AI and machine learning making education more personalized than ever, to the importance of learning management systems (LMS) and how education startups are the unsung heroes of innovation. It’s all about making education more accessible, inclusive, and transformative for everyone involved.

Are you curious about how student-centered learning is changing the game or wondering what’s next for digital tools for teachers? Brett and Rebecca are here to guide you through the maze of possibilities and equip you with the knowledge you need to make a real impact. And if you’re an edtech entrepreneur or an education leader, this podcast is your ticket to staying in the loop and hearing from some of the biggest names and boldest thinkers in the industry.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The latest edtech trends and the tech transforming education today
• How AI and machine learning are revolutionizing personalized learning
• Why online learning and learning management systems (LMS) are more essential than ever
• How education startups and tech innovators are disrupting traditional learning systems
• The growing need for inclusive education and digital equity
• How personalized learning and student-centered education can lead to better outcomes for all learners

So, whether you’re passionate about digital transformation, exploring a career in edtech, or simply trying to understand how technology is reshaping education, this episode is packed with the kind of actionable insights and inspiring ideas you won’t want to miss. Ready to turn the volume up on education? Press play on this episode of AmpED to 11 and get the inside scoop on how edtech innovations are taking education to the next level.