In this episode of The Intersect, I’m joined by Dr. Hamsa Bastani -- an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania -- and Kristina Peterson -- a longtime high school English teacher and author of AI in the Writing Workshop – to discuss the ways that AI is transforming our education system.

Over the last couple of semesters, AI has become an overwhelming presence in school classrooms and on college campuses. While many remain concerned about students cheating and misusing AI, there’s a deeper question at play: How is this new technology reshaping the way students learn? In this episode, we explore how education is transforming as students and educators integrate it into their work and lives. The challenge remains big though: How can we ensure the education system maintains its relevance, meaning and humanity?

Topics Covered:

• What does it mean to cheat in the age of AI?
• How can educators integrate AI into their classrooms to facilitate teaching and learning?
• How can AI be a thought partner for students rather than a crutch? 
• Has AI allowed us to forget what it’s like to struggle in school? Does this matter?
• What can parents do to best navigate the rise of AI in the classroom?

About Hamsa Bastani:

Hamsa Bastani is an Associate Professor at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where she co-directs the Healthcare Analytics Lab. Her research develops innovative machine learning methods to address societal challenges, particularly in healthcare and education. She has partnered with national governments, including Greece and Sierra Leone, to deploy algorithms at the country-scale to improve public health outcomes, and her research has been published in leading outlets including Nature, Management Science, and Operations Research.

Follow Hamsa Bastani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamsa-bastani-4a346955/ 

About Kristina Peterson:

Kristina Peterson is a veteran high school English teacher, researcher, and co-founder of EmpowerEd Consulting, specializing in the ethical integration of generative AI in education. She is the co-author of AI in the Writing Workshop: Finding the Write Balance (April 2025), which explores how AI can serve as a writing partner while still preserving student voice and creativity. Kristina’s work bridges classroom practice with national conversations on innovation, equity, and digital literacy. She also consults with educators, universities, and law enforcement to help them adapt responsibly to emerging AI tools.

Follow Kristina Peterson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-peterson-617525262/ 

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