In this episode of ChatEDU, Matt and Liz interview Charli Hughes, a recent high school graduate heading to the University of Connecticut in the fall. Charli discusses her summer internship at Medtronic (where she works on the Hugo Robot Assisted Surgery System), and her journey into computer science through robotics competitions. 

Charli is one of the most thoughtful voices out there on AI, it just so happens that she is a recent high school graduate. Don’t miss her insights and opinions on what’s next for AI in K-12 education.

In this episode of ChatEDU (Bottom-Up AI: Where Proactive Educators Lead), Matt and Liz explore how educators at all levels can advance their work with AI, regardless of what state or federal policies are in place where they live.

In the News:

Beneath the Surface:

Matt and Liz provide an update on AI state guidance, and the imperative/opportunity for educators to lead irrespective of guidance from “above” (fed, state, district, or building level)

Short Stack Chat Back

Claude (via ElevenLabs) provides a Ben Franklin-style response on the pros and cons of using large language models for ethical advice.

Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at [email protected]

In this episode of ChatEDU (Dear AI, Slow the Heck Down), Matt and Liz discuss the disruptive and problematic consequences of large tech companies moving too fast in the AI space. They unpack various incidents, and the implications of rapid AI advancements on education.

First in Our Intro

Matt and Liz discuss the emergence of non-human AI models, including meerkats, whales, dogs, and elephants. They humorously explore the idea of translating animal noises into “language” and the challenges it poses, particularly with Liz's silent dog, Aloe.

Then in the News:

Voice Mode Updates - Matt provides an update on the much-anticipated ChatGPT 4.0 voice mode. Together, Matt and Liz poke fun at the delay, but also explore how this advanced voice mode might be used in schools. 

OpenAI's Library - Liz talks about Sam Altman's focus on creating an old-timey library at OpenAI's headquarters, blending high-tech AI work with a Victorian academic feel. Liz goes on to explore the relevance of libraries in modern education and AI development.

Beneath the Surface:

Matt and Liz discuss the consequences of the "move fast and break things" ethos in the tech industry. They review several AI-related incidents, including, but not limited to: 

Together, the hosts provide some guidance on how educators might navigate these disruptive AI episodes. 

Short Stack Chat Back:

Shakespeare-Style - ChatGPT + ElevenLabs provide a three-sentence summary of the consequences of AI companies moving too fast (in the style of the Bard…the real Bard not the Bard turned Gemini). 

Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at [email protected]

In this episode of ChatEDU (Teens on Gen AI: A New Study from Common Sense Media), Matt and Liz dive into a new report from Common Sense Media that explores how teens are using and perceiving generative AI. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on this topic, shedding light on both the excitement and concerns surrounding AI among young people.

First in Our Intro

Then in the News:

Short Stack Chat Back:

Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at [email protected]

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Surrender - Professors Throw in the Towel on Writing?) Matt and Liz discuss the controversial notion of AI taking over writing tasks. The episode deep dive is informed by the work of two professors from Carnegie Mellon University who are saying the quiet part out loud, with an AI tool aimed at assisting students with the writing process.

Fist in the news: 

Short Stack Chat Back - The episode concludes with an AI supported take on the Beneath the Surface topic. 

Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at [email protected] 

In this first “Short Stack” episode of ChatEDU (AI Hope or Hype - A K-12 Reality Check) Liz and Matt unpack an important New York Times opinion piece titled "Press Pause on the Silicon Valley Hype Machine” by Julia Angwin. They explore key assertions in the article including: 

In each area, Matt and Liz discuss how these points resonate in the K-12 context, emphasizing the need for balanced AI literacy and thoughtful resource allocation. They end with their own priority list of K-12 AI in education challenges. 

First, in the News - 

Short Stack Chat Back - The episode concludes with an AI supported take on the Beneath the Surface topic. 

Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at [email protected]

In this episode of ChatEDU (That’s a Wrap - Exploring the Fate of Custom AI Teacher Tools), hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday think through the implications of the ChatGPT 4o release, and what it may mean for custom AI teacher tools and the broader landscape AI + education landscape. 

First, In the News: 

Beneath the Surface Links

Chat Back: Listener Question

In this milestone 10th episode of ChatEDU (AI for Good: The Literacy Component We Might Be Missing) hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday explore how US attitudes towards AI impacts our perspective and potentially narrows how we define AI literacy for students. 

First in the news: 

Segment 1: AI's Role in Reading

Segment 2: Labor in Developing Nations and AI

Segment 3: Google's AI Tool for English Language Learners

Segment 4: Generative AI and Trust in Educational Settings

Chat Back: Listener Question

The episode concludes with a listener's question about how to best explain AI to high school students, stressing the importance of understanding AI beyond just generative models and incorporating real-world applications that students encounter daily.

This episode of ChatEDU (Yes the Jobs - But First the Class of 2025) unpacks the significant impact of AI on the job market, emphasizing how to meet the immediate needs of next year’s seniors. But first in the news, hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday explore various facets of AI in education, including persistent biases in AI models, student preferences for AI-generated versus teacher feedback on writing, and the role of generative AI in the art and science of book writing. Additionally, they discuss S.A.R.A.H, a video avatar from the World Health Organization designed to provide reliable health information. The episode wraps up with listener questions about how not to increase student anxiety as they prepare for 2025 and beyond. 

In the News:

Segment 1: AI and Bias

Segment 2: Student Feedback on AI

Segment 3: AI in Health

Segment 4: AI in Authorship

In this episode of ChatEDU (Micro Update Major Menace: Advertising in AI Requires K-12 Attention), Matt Mervis and Liz Radday kick off by covering the latest news including research on AI content detectors with some help from Abbott Elementary, as well as an AI-powered exhibit featuring WWII veterans. Liz reviews a major AI assessment announcement from PISA, while Matt explores new developments in holographic technology and how AI could change the way we interact with the digital world. Next, Matt and Liz go “Beneath the Surface” as they explore the potential negative impact of AI companies testing advertising in their chatbots. They analyze the underreported but enormously important story of how AI business models could affect students, families, communities and schools. The episode wraps by answering a listener question about students using generative AI for emotional support. 

In the News

AI Content Detectors: We discuss the effectiveness of AI content detectors with a particular focus on their limitations, as highlighted in a recent "Abbott Elementary" episode. Despite their popularity, these tools often produce false positives, particularly impacting ELL students. Learn more about these detectors' fallibility as reported by The Washington Post and The Guardian.

Links: 

Cheating Detection

AI Discrimination

Educators Juggling Generative AI

Humanizing Machine Generated Content

World War II Veterans Exhibit: Liz reviews an engaging AI-powered exhibit at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, where AI helps visitors interact with life-sized representations of veterans. This use of AI in educational settings offers a new method to engage with history.

Links

WW2 Museum - AI Veterans Survivors

Holographics and New Interfaces: Discover the latest in holographic interfaces and how they could transform interactions with digital devices. From the potential use of AI in mundane tasks to its integration into everyday gadgets, we explore what's on the horizon for AI-enhanced interfaces.

Links

Scientists Create Color 3D Holographic

Human AI Pin: Review

Rabbit R1: Review

I tried Nothing Ear with ChatGPT and I’m impressed — but also a little terrified

Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses just got another useful feature for free

PISA's New AI Assessment Announcement: A significant shift in educational assessment practices with PISA incorporating AI to evaluate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This segment explores how AI-driven assessments could redefine educational benchmarks globally.

Links:

AI May Be Coming for Standardized Testing

Beneath the Surface

AI's Business Models: A deep dive into the economic strategies of AI companies as they transition from heavy investment phases to profit-making models. We discuss the implications of subscription versus advertising models in AI, highlighting concerns about user engagement and privacy. 

Links:

Perplexity will try a form of ads on its AI search platform

Google considers charging for AI-powered search in big change to business model

Meta’s new AI assistant is rolling out 

ChatBack

Mental Health and AI: We tackle a listener's question about the use of AI for mental health support among teens. The pros and cons of AI as a tool for emotional support are discussed, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the potential risks of over-reliance on AI for psychological support.

Mental health chatbots powered by artificial intelligence developed as a therapy support tool

ChatGPT-4 outperforms human psychologists in test of social intelligence, study finds