Welcome to episode 340 (“Big Tech & Big Changes”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 13, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the latest shifts in the tech landscape, from Apple’s hardware advancements to AI’s growing role in education and privacy concerns. Jason shared insights on upgrading to Apple’s new MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, emphasizing its speed, efficiency, and potential for running local AI models. The conversation expanded into the broader implications of AI, including the rise of open-source models and their increasing competitiveness with proprietary AI. Privacy and ethical concerns around AI usage in schools and workplaces were also discussed, along with the risks posed by AI-driven misinformation and surveillance. The hosts examined Amazon’s expansion of drone deliveries, reflecting on how autonomous technologies are reshaping logistics and transportation. Jason recounted his firsthand experience with Waymo’s self-driving taxis in Phoenix, offering insights into their cautious driving behavior and evolving role in urban mobility. Social media developments were another hot topic, with a deep dive into BlueSky’s rapid growth past 15 million users and its potential as a new hub for educators. The discussion also touched on the dangers of mass text-based disinformation campaigns following the recent election, highlighting the broader need for digital literacy and stronger privacy protections. Finally, in “Geeks of the Week,” Wes highlighted Descript, a powerful AI-based podcast and video editing tool, and his surprising experience joining Truth Social to observe its information ecosystem. Jason recommended Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course, now updated with generative AI examples for those looking to deepen their understanding of AI development. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @[email protected] on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!