Designing Schools

AI isn’t waiting. Institutions are.

For the past year, schools, governments, and businesses have been stuck in a waiting game, waiting for guidelines, waiting for tools, waiting for certainty.

Meanwhile, AI researchers and tech companies aren’t waiting at all. They have total confidence in what their machines can do. They believe AI will reason, plan, and solve problems better than humans. And they’re building that future, while the rest of the world debates if AI even belongs in the classroom.

designingschools.org/aiteams

Article: Your AI Power Circle

What if students had a say in designing the future of education? In this episode, we hand them the mic. High schoolers from Gary Heidt's Innovation Lab are challenging outdated school systems, questioning AI bans, and rethinking what learning should look like. They’re not waiting for the future to happen to them, they’re building it.

What’s Inside:

🎤 What is a Protopian future? (And why students care)

🤖 AI bans? Students share what schools get wrong about technology

📚 Grades vs. agency—what actually motivates learning

🚀 The moment they realized they have power over their own future

These students aren’t just talking about change. They’re making it happen.

🎧 Listen now and hear the future of education—straight from the next generation**.**

Want to bring this conversation to your own classroom? 

Download the free course now and start rethinking the future of AI with your students!

https://designingschools.thinkific.com/bundles/ai-skills-for-college-and-career

AI is advancing at a pace that is hard to keep up with - ChatGPT, Claude, and others keep releasing updates, and the pressure to “keep up” is overwhelming. But here’s the thing: most people don’t want to believe this is happening. Not because they don’t understand AI, but because they hope it’s not real.

In this episode, we break down:

• Why AI isn’t just about tools—it’s about reimagining what’s possible
• How students and employees are already using AI—without guidance
• The biggest mistake leaders make when it comes to AI adoption
• Why prompting alone isn’t enough—and what you actually need to build a strategy
• How education is having a mediocre AI conversation while the world moves forward

And if you’re wondering how to stop reacting to AI and start leading with it, that’s exactly what we dive into today.

AI Bootcamp for Teams - A Hybrid Program for Leadership Teams to Design What's Next

If today’s episode felt like a wake-up call, AI Bootcamp for Teams is here to help you take action. This six-month hybrid program is designed for school leaders, educators, and teams who are ready to go beyond just experimenting with AI and start integrating it strategically. AI isn’t slowing down, and neither should you. With lifetime access to live sessions, updates, and expert-led strategy, you’ll always stay ahead.📍 Join now: https://designingschools.org/aiteams

Resources & Mentions

📌 Hard Fork Interview with Dario Amodei

📌 Report: The Disengagement Gap 

🎙 Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!

📩 Got thoughts? DM me or send your questions to [email protected]

With AI models evolving at an overwhelming pace, how do you stay ahead without feeling constantly behind?

This week, we break down the latest AI updates—including Claude, Grok, and the upcoming ChatGPT improvements—and share practical strategies for filtering the noise, staying informed, and making AI work for you.

Topics Covered:

• Filtering the AI Overload: How to assess new models with benchmark prompts.
• The Importance of Trusted Sources: Why following the right people across industries matters.
• The AI Adoption Gap: Why students and employees are embracing AI faster than leaders.
• Super Agency & OpenAI Reports: Insights on how AI is shaping the workforce.
• AI in Leadership: Why organizations must shift from managing AI to leading with AI.
• AI’s Growing Role in Reasoning & Decision-Making: What this means for work, education, and daily life.

Resources Shared:

• OpenAI Report: Building an AI-Ready Workforce
• McKinsey’s Super Agency report on AI in the workplace
• AI Bootcamp for Teams: Learn how to lead AI integration in your organization

This week, we tackle a question everyone is asking - can AI be more empathetic than humans? From studies showing people preferring AI-generated therapy responses to the latest advancements in AI’s reasoning and research capabilities, we explore what this means for education, work, and society.

We also discuss:

• The latest AI model updates, including GPT-4.5 and Perplexity’s Deep Research
• How AI is helping students learn and debate more effectively
• The growing role of AI as a teammate rather than just a tool
• The widening gap in AI adoption between high-income and low-income workers
• Why mindset shifts are more important than ever for navigating AI’s impact

Plus, we introduce our new free course on shifting from AI as "cheating" to AI as "collaboration," featuring practical strategies for teachers and school leaders.

Link to Download Free Course

Links to Articles

AI, Power, and Politics: Who’s Really in Control?

This week, we unpack the growing intersection of AI, politics, and economic shifts. With AI agents evolving into virtual coworkers, Sam Altman’s latest blog post raises urgent questions about the future of work, democracy, and power. We explore how AI is being used for government efficiency, the potential displacement of jobs, and why policymakers are struggling to keep up.

Plus, we discuss:

• The Anthropic Economic Index and how AI is already reshaping industries.
• California State University’s groundbreaking ChatGPT partnership - the largest AI rollout in education.
• Why schools and businesses must rethink AI not just as a tool, but as a teammate.
• How policymakers are responding (or failing to respond) to rapid AI advancements.

And don’t miss our upcoming webinar on February 18 - helping young people navigate AI decision-making using the WISE framework.

Link to Register

In this episode, we explore a troubling paradox - why do AI researchers and developers have such bold ambitions for machines while so many schools and institutions seem to have low expectations for people? We discuss key signals shaping the future of AI, from reasoning models to agents and innovators, and what this means for education, work, and society. Plus, OpenAI’s Deep Research and its potential for redefining how we learn and think. If AI can now reason and innovate, what should humans focus on?

Links to Articles / Videos

OpenAI's Deep Research Overview

Interview with Softbank CEO and Sam Altman

In this episode, we explore the race for AI dominance and the emergence of China’s DeepSeek model, which has surprised many with its capabilities and efficiency. We discuss the shifting landscape of AI development, its geopolitical implications, and what it means for the future of global power. With insights from AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee and recent discussions from Davos, we examine whether the U.S. can maintain its lead or if China’s rapid AI adoption will give it the edge. Plus, what this means for education, employment, and how societies should prepare for a world where AI is integrated into everything.

This episode was recorded on January 21st. In this episode, we discuss the power of writing as a tool for critical thinking and creativity in a rapidly changing world. From TikTok’s brief ban to historical parallels with today’s challenges, we explore how education must adapt to prepare students for an AI-driven future. Hear why schools should embrace current events and foster critical skills to stay relevant.

Resources Mentioned

Diary of a CEO Interview with Daniel Priestly

LinkedIn Work Change Report 2025

The AI Bootcamp for Teams Experience

In this episode we share the breakthroughs and implications of AI in 2025, with a focus on AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and AI agents in the workforce. The conversation highlights how these advancements are reshaping industries, from real estate to education, by streamlining tasks and enhancing human capabilities. You'll gain insights into how collaboration, intentionality, and adaptability are essential skills to build in 2025.

Resources Mentioned