In this episode of ChatEDU (Simulated Minds - Using AI to Deepen Research Insights), Matt and Liz explore the use of AI in social science research, focusing on a study from NYU and Stanford about using large language models to simulate research participants.

First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss a trend of women using AI to fact-check men's height claims on dating apps. They then explore contrasting organizational approaches to AI adoption:

Then in the News:

Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz examine a research paper on using large language models to predict results of social science experiments:

Short Stack Chat Back: A simulated Charles Darwin summarizes this week’s Beneath the Surface in three short sentences.

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

Related Links:

In this episode of ChatEDU (The Storm Rolled In - Stanford's AI Research Tool), Matt and Liz explore the implications of Stamford University's new AI research tool, STORM, and its potential impact on education and research skills.

First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss the recent Olympics.  They highlight the artistic swimming competition of course and some interesting AI intersections. These include Google's DeepMind winning a medal in the International Math Olympiad and an ad for Google’s Gemini that made the Internet go nuts! 

Then in the News:

Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz examine Stanford University's new AI research tool, STORM (Synthesis of Topic Outlines Through Retrieval and Multi-perspective Question Asking):

Short Stack Chat Back: Roald Dahl-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence analysis of the future of research skills in a world with AI tools like STORM, written in the style of Roald Dahl.

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

Related Links:

And Just for Liz :).

In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (Crash Course - Building Your AI Professional Learning Plan), Matt and Liz explore strategies for developing effective AI professional learning plans for educators.

Intro

Matt welcomes Liz back and then quizzes her with a paragraph full of “AI tell words” to see how many she can identify. 

Liz puts Matt in the “hotseat”, as she inquires about how he approaches AI professional learning for back-to-school and beyond. They discuss a range of issues including:

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

UDIO.com - AI music generation tool

Suno.ai - Another AI music tool mentioned

Skills21.org/ai - Destination for Matt’s AI tools, resources and contact for PL support 

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI on the Field - Our Interview with Tech Coach Ed Duclos), Matt and Liz interview Ed Duclos. Ed is a technology (and HS athletics) coach from South Windsor High School in Connecticut. They discuss his district's experiences implementing AI in education over the past year. Key points include:

Ed shares some wonderful insights on implementing AI and emphasizes the need for flexibility as the technology evolves. The discussion highlights ethical AI use, critical thinking, and adapting teaching practices for an AI-integrated future. We loved chatting with Ed, and hope you’ll enjoy this special summer episode! 

In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (The Predication Show - Forecasting AI in Edu), Matt and Liz explore potential futures for AI in education using a forecasting prompt from Professor Ethan Mollick.

First, Matt and Liz introduce the episode concept, explaining how they’ll use Professor Mollick's "Four Futures" AI scenarios to make predictions about various educational topics. Then they dig into the forecasting on topics including: 

The hosts discuss the implications of these scenarios, balancing excitement for potential benefits with awareness of risks and ethical considerations.

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

Related Links:

In this episode of ChatEDU (Gemini Splashdown - Will Google Dominate AI in Education Next Year?), Matt and guest co-host Jonathan Costa explore two big moves from Google that will potentially redefine the educational landscape for K-12 in the years ahead.

First in our Intro: 

Matt welcomes Jonathan Costa as a guest co-host while Liz is on the road. They obviously discuss Jonathan’s dog who has been featured in the podcast, as well as a cool AI feature of the upcoming Paris Olympics. 

Then in the News:

OpenAI and Thrive Global Partnership - Matt and Jonathan discuss the new partnership between OpenAI and Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global on Thrive AI, an AI-infused health coach.

Framework for AI in Schools - Jonathan introduces a framework for schools thinking about AI, anchored around the three C's: conceptual understanding, capacity, and curiosity. Have a question? Email Jonathan at [email protected] 

Beneath the Surface: 

Matt and Jonathan explore how Google may reign supreme in AI for education:

Together, the hosts discuss the implications of Google's expansion in the educational AI space, including privacy concerns, equity issues, and the potential for market dominance.

Related Links:

Sal Khan and Son Using GPT 4o

Short Stack Chat Back: Rockefeller-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence analysis of Google's expanding dominance in the education sector in the writing style of John D. Rockefeller.

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

In this episode of ChatEDU (What a Character - The Secret Life of character.ai and Teens), Matt and Liz explore the wildly popular character.ai platform and how its approach might be leveraged for AI in K-12 education.

First in our Intro Matt welcomes Liz back from her international travels and they discuss the reported perils of AI use and drinking (though it does not appear to apply to them!). 

Then in the News

AI Content Detection Updates - After a detailed sidebar on custom bots, Matt provides an update on two recent studies (higher ed / K-12) illustrating the limitations of educators in identifying AI-generated writing. They discuss the implications for academic integrity and assessment strategies.

PISA Assessment Results - Liz discusses the latest PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) results, focusing on the new creativity assessment and the performance of U.S. students compared to other countries.

Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz explore character.ai, a hugely popular but underreported AI platform among teens. They discuss:

Together, the hosts provide some guidance on how educators might explore character-based AI interactions in their classrooms.

Short Stack Chat Back: Tolkien-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence summary of the future of chatting with AI characters in the style of J.R.R. Tolkien.

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

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]