In this episode of ChatEDU, "Bots Gone Bad: Why Educators Should Pay Attention," Matt and Liz explore concerning developments in AI-driven chatbots and their implications for students and educators.

In the News:

Two new studies highlight different perspectives on AI in education. One study from Nigeria claims AI tutors significantly improved student performance, while another found an AI bot successfully completed a graduate course without detection. What does this mean for education? 

The World Economic Forum’s latest job report predicts a shift in workforce skills, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s blueprint for economic progress highlights AI’s potential to personalize learning. Are we focusing on the right skills for the future? 

Sam Altman weighs in, stating that the most critical skill in the AI era is not knowledge itself, but the ability to ask the right questions. How does this align with current education trends? 

Beneath the Surface:

Financial AI Bots Preying on Vulnerable Users: AI-driven financial assistants, like Clio and Bright, are pushing high-interest loans and misleading financial advice to struggling users. Is AI truly helping or exploiting financial insecurity

Snapchat’s My AI Bot Under Fire: A new FTC complaint against Snapchat’s AI bot raises concerns about its responses to teenagers, including advice on concealing drug and alcohol use. The DOJ is now involved. 

SchoolAI’s Historical Figure Bots Get It Wrong: A bot role-playing as Anne Frank gave misleading responses about the Holocaust, sparking concerns about AI-generated historical narratives in classrooms.

These AI failures feed skepticism in education. How can educators maintain oversight while integrating AI tools in learning environments?

Short Stack Chat Back:

A reflection on the Luddites and their resistance to technology—are we seeing a modern-day parallel in AI adoption?

Links Referenced in This Episode:

Study on AI tutors in Nigeria https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/From-chalkboards-to-chatbots-Transforming-learning-in-Nigeria 

Study on AI bot completing a graduate course https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/aupha/jhae/2024/00000040/00000004/art00005#

World Economic Forum Job Report https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/

OpenAI's Blueprint for Economic Progress https://theafricalogistics.com/openai-unveils-bold-economic-blueprint-to-secure-u-s-ai-leadership/

Sam Altman Interview https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/13/openai-ceo-top-ability-you-need-to-succeed-age-of-ai-ask-great-questions.html  

Clio and Bright Financial Bots Report https://www.wired.com/story/ai-financial-advisers-apps-chatbots/ 

Snapchat’s My AI Bot FTC Complaint https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/snap-shares-drop-as-ftc-refers-complaint-to-the-doj.html 

SchoolAI Historical Figure Bots Controversy  https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-anne-frank-blame-holocaust

In the News:Beneath the Surface:Short Stack Chat Back:Links Referenced in This Episode:"Protect Us" Video on AI and Child Safety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuH-D-au1Ho

ChatEDU Episode 42: Exploring AI and Project-Based Learning (From the Elevate Education Podcast)

In this special crossover episode of ChatEDU, Matt and Liz join Jason Firestone of the Elevate Education Podcast from Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado. This lively conversation dives into how AI and project-based learning (PBL) are transforming K-12 education. From real-world applications to ethical use, they discuss the challenges, successes, and the future of integrating AI into classrooms.

What’s in this episode?

Skills21's Mission: Matt and Liz explain how their team fosters student agency through personal interest projects and PBL, equipping students for an AI-driven world.

AI’s Role in PBL: Learn how AI acts as a clerk, a colleague, and a coach enhancing student creativity and engagement without bypassing the learning process.

Real-World Examples: Liz shares inspiring student projects, from salt-based ice melt innovations to injury-alert vests, showcasing the power of combining passion with critical thinking.

Prompts for Success: Matt offers actionable tips on crafting effective AI prompts and using tools like Skills21’s Prompt Library to maximize AI’s potential in education.

Starting Small with PBL: Liz gives three simple tips for teachers looking to integrate project-based learning into their classrooms.

Our Episode Sponsor:

National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing -

https://www.nextgenmfg.org

Resources Mentioned:

Skills21 AI and PBL Resources: skills21.org

Skills21 Prompt Library: skills21.org/prompts

AI-Enhanced Personal Interest Projects: skills21.org/pip

Special Thanks!

Elevate Education Podcast: 

https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/services/communications/elevate-education-podcast

ChatEDU Episode 41: AI Whisperers in the Classroom – Teachers Already Have the Tools

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Whisperers in the Classroom – Teachers Already Have the Tools), Matt and Liz explore AI hallucinations in science, OpenAI’s O3 reasoning model and its implications for coding education, and why teachers are uniquely equipped to master generative AI in the classroom.

Getting Started:

Matt and Liz reflect on January blues and share a fun wintertime AI prompt to beat the seasonal doldrums. Liz gives rapid-fire reactions to winter activities suggested by ChatGPT, and Matt claims the term "cognitive onboarding" while exploring how AI is enhancing critical thinking rather than offloading it.

The Big Three:

1. AI Hallucinations in Science

• AI hallucinations spark creativity in scientific research, leading to breakthroughs like new protein designs and medical innovations.

• Highlighted examples include Dr. David Baker’s work on designing proteins for cancer treatments and infection-fighting tools.

• Discussion on balancing the promise of AI in science with its risks, like misinformation.

2. O3 Model: Redefining Software Development

• OpenAI’s O3 model excels at reasoning, adaptability, and solving complex problems, with a transformative impact on coding and math.

• Matt and Liz discuss its implications for education, particularly how it aligns with the Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge and its emphasis on “coding for good.”

3. Teachers as Natural AI Experts (Beneath the Surface)

• Teachers’ classroom strategies—context-setting, specificity, and critical thinking—translate seamlessly to AI prompting.

• Matt and Liz connect these innate teaching skills to the fundamentals of AI use, showcasing how teachers are already well-positioned to succeed with generative AI.

Short Stack Chat Back:

John Dewey on teachers as “AI whisperers”. 

Announcements:

• The new winter cohort for ChatEDU’s AI in K-12 Education Micro-Credential is full. Join the waiting list for the spring cohort at skills21.org/ai/micro 

• Customized versions of the micro-credential are available for school districts. Email [email protected] for more information.

Our Episode Sponsor

• National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing - https://www.nextgenmfg.org 

Related Links:

• Tom’s Guide on Emotionally Supportive AI Prompts - https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/chatgpt/7-chatgpt-prompts-that-have-helped-me-avoid-the-winter-blues-heres-why-i-like-them 

• Barbara Zhilanka’s AI Advisory Boards - https://aiadvisoryboards.wordpress.com/blog-2/ 

• AI and Cognitive “Offloading” - https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/1/6 

• Dr. David Baker’s Protein Research - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/science/ai-hallucinations-science.html 

• 03 and Coding - https://www.itp.net/edge/future-tech/goodbye-coding-openais-o3-model-is-changing-software-creation 

• Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge - https://ltgovcc.org 

• 13 Reasons Why Teachers Are Already AI Experts by Jack Dougal - https://www.ecmtutors.com/13-reasons-why-teachers-are-already-ai-experts/ 

• Skills21’s Prompts Page - https://www.skills21.org/prompts 

• Micro-Credential Info: https://skills21.org/ai/micro

Have a question or comment?

Email Matt and Liz at [email protected]. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform.

Distributed Cognition: The Human-AI Partnership Transforming Healthcare Learning | Ep. 40

In this episode of ChatEDU, hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday explore the significant impact of AI-powered assistive technology for students with disabilities, presenting inspiring stories and emphasizing the ethical considerations of AI in education. Additionally, the duo features an intriguing segment on AI-enabled human-whale “communication” led by Dr. Brenda McCowan's Whale SETI team. They even highlight the potential implications for interspecies and extraterrestrial communication. The episode concludes with a deep dive into how the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UT Health in Houston integrates AI into their healthcare education curriculum, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and AI literacy. Finally, they wrap up with a humorous Short Stack Chat Back featuring a Mark Twain-inspired commentary on whale communication.

You’ll hear: 

Sponsored by the National Center for Next Gen Manufacturing - https://www.nextgenmfg.org/

Episode Links

Skills21 AI in Education Micro-Credential - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro 

Skills21 Personal Interest Projects - https://www.skills21.org/pip 

AI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness it - https://www.wishtv.com/news/ai-helps-students-disabilities/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WISH-TV

Groundbreaking AI Enables Humans to Hold a 20-Minute ‘Conversation’ with a Humpback Whale - https://dailygalaxy.com/2024/12/groundbreaking-ai-enables-humans-to-hold-a-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale/

Preparing healthcare education for an AI-augmented future - https://www.nature.com/articles/s44401-024-00006-z

Flipping the Script: English Class Post-ChatGPT

In this episode of ChatEDU (Flipping the Script: English Class Post-ChatGPT), Matt Mervis and Liz Radday kick off 2025 with special guest Jonathan Costa. They unpack a fascinating story about alignment faking by the Claude AI model from Anthropic, drawing parallels to personal life decisions and their long-term impacts. Next the hosts also explore a new study about AI and conspiracy theories and then a second meta study about the efficacy of genAI in higher ed (with connections to K-12). For Beneath the Surface, Matt and Liz talk through a great op-ed from a veteran English teacher and how he plans to navigate the road ahead in an AI dominated world. The episode wraps up with a fun Short Stack Chat Back with the late Ray Bradbury regarding these educational shifts.

You’ll hear: 

Episode Links

Skills21 AI in Education Micro-Credential - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro 

Skills21 Personal Interest Projects - https://www.skills21.org/pip 

Anthropic Alignment Faking - https://www.anthropic.com/news/alignment-faking 

Durably Reducting Conspiracy Theories - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq1814Does ChatGPT enhance student learning? A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131524002380 

ChatGPT Can Make English Teachers Feel Doomed. Here’s How I’m Adapting- https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-chatgpt-can-make-english-teachers-feel-doomed-heres-how-im-adapting/2024/10

AI in 2025 - What’s Next for Education

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI in 2025 - What’s Next for Education), Matt Mervis and Liz Raddy reflect on the emerging trends and future of AI in education as they prepare to ring in 2025. They discuss Liz's cautious venture into making prank calls and then dive into Niantic Labs' creation of a large geospatial model from Pokemon Go data. The conversation shifts to the use of AI for anticipatory monitoring of student well-being and its ethical implications. As they wrap up, Matt and Liz share their aspirations and humorous resolutions for 2025. This episode is packed with discussions on AI's potential, ongoing concerns, and imaginative applications in K-12 education.

00:00 Introduction and Cranky Liz

00:58 Prank Call Challenge

05:01 AI World Models and Education

19:51 AI Monitoring in Schools and at Home

30:38 AI Planning and Future Considerations

33:10 Looking Ahead to 2025

39:33 New Year's Resolutions with AI

45:17 Holiday Reflections and Nostradamus (Short Stack Chat Back) 

Episode Links

Skills21 AI in Education Micro-Credential - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro 

Skills21 Personal Interest Projects - https://www.skills21.org/pip 

Niantic Geospatial World Model - https://nianticlabs.com/news/largegeospatialmodel?hl=en

NYT - Spying on Student Devices, Schools Aim to Intercept Self-Harm Before It Happens - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/health/suicide-monitoring-software-schools.html?smid=nytcore-android-share 

The AI Firehose - End of Year News and Updates

Join Matt and Liz in this episode of ChatEDU as they explore critical AI developments. They dive into the potential of AI as a brutally honest mentor, discuss new tools like Google's Gemini 2.0 and Harvard's free AI dataset, and address serious concerns such as the rise of non-consensual intimate imagery in schools and the environmental costs of AI. They also unpack OpenAI's '12 Days of Shipmas' while reflecting on how AI impacts policy, literacy, and education.

00:00 Introduction and AI's Flattery

00:52 The Brutally Honest AI Mentor

01:38 Liz's Book Editing Challenge

02:15 ChatGPT's Tough Love

04:23 Reflections on AI's Impact

06:00 AI in Education: News and Updates

07:17 Deep Research, AI Literacy & Policy

14:25 Environmental Concerns of AI

16:55 Clean Energy Solutions for AI

18:55 Challenges in K-12 Schools

20:13 The Challenges of Preventative Education

21:05 A Troubling Lawsuit Against Character AI

22:00 Character AI's Controversial Influence

27:11 AI Literacy and Gen Z

31:21 The 12 Days of Shipmas by OpenAI

Prompt from Forbes:

You are now my brutally honest mentor who calls out my self-deception. Ask me what goal I'm struggling to achieve. After I respond, mercilessly point out the lies I'm telling myself. Challenge every excuse. Mock my weak justifications. Make me defend my position until I admit the real reason I'm not taking action. Don't let me off easy - keep pushing until I reach complete honesty about what's truly holding me back. Then help me create an action plan based on this new truth.

In this episode of ChatEDU, co-hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday dive into the evolving landscape of AI's capabilities and its implications on human tasks. They discuss the growing reliability of AI memory, and whether AI can offer surprising personal insights. The discussion touches on three recent studies, exploring AI's edge in medical diagnoses, neuroscience predictions, and the surprising preference for AI-generated poetry over classic literature. The episode raises questions about the future roles of humans in AI-integrated tasks, emphasizing the need for empathy and creativity. Additionally, it features an intriguing segment where AI mimics Shakespearean style to compose a sonnet about a recent football game. The show concludes with their popular 'ShortStack Chat Back', highlighting the interplay between AI and human creativity.

00:00 Introduction: Memory and AI

00:38 Chatting with ChatGPT

02:25 AI's Role in Memory and Productivity

04:33 Podcast Introduction and Episode Overview

05:25 AI in Medical Diagnosis

12:01 AI in Neuroscience

15:52 AI and Poetry

25:50 Implications for Teaching and Learning

30:18 ShortStack Chat Back: Isaac Asimov

New Micro-Credential Cohort Launching January 2024! Learn more and sign up at skills21.org/ai/micro.

In this episode of ChatEDU (Motion Rejected - The AI Cheating Case That Surprised Everyone - Including Us), Matt and Liz reflect on AI’s evolving role in schools and classrooms. They unpack two new studies on AI adoption among teachers, a timely toolkit from the U.S. Department of Education, and a controversial AI cheating case that’s testing the limits of academic integrity policies.

1. Teacher Studies: AI Adoption and Skepticism

2. U.S. Department of Education AI Leadership Toolkit

3. Beneath the Surface: Motion Rejected – The Hingham AI Cheating Case

This updated version reflects the correct episode title. Let me know if you need any more tweaks!

Getting StartedThe Big ThreeShort Stack Chat BackReferenced Links and ResourcesAnnouncements

In this pre-recorded Thanksgiving episode of ChatEDU (Banned or Boosted? AI's Mixed Signals in Education and Work), Matt and Liz reflect on gratitude, share updates on their AI micro-credential program, and dive into a compelling trifecta of stories that highlight the evolving relationship between generative AI, education, and the workplace.

Getting Started:

The Big Three:

1. Honor Codes and Generative AI at Haverford and Bryn Mawr

2. The Massachusetts AI Lawsuit (please note - this was pre-recorded and Matt/Liz cover the lawsuit update in Episode 35 - December, 6th)

3. Generative AI in Industry (Beneath the Surface)

Referenced Links and Resources:

Short Stack Chat Back:

Announcements: