Victoria Hedlund, researcher, lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, founder of GenEd Labs.ai, and widely known as The Bias Girl, joins the explAInED podcast for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, equity, and education. Together, we explore how generative AI tools can both empower learners and risk deepening systemic inequities if not implemented thoughtfully.

Victoria shares insights on how schools with fewer resources or limited digital literacy may struggle to adopt AI tools equitably, especially as free versions of popular models often produce less bias-aware responses than their paid counterparts. The conversation examines how financial and systemic disparities between schools can shape students’ experiences with AI, and what can be done to mitigate those risks.

A highlight of the discussion is the Lesson Inspector, a tool Victoria is developing to help teachers critically analyze lesson plans through a lens of equity, neuro-affirming practices, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Victoria also challenges educators to consider their evolving “GenAI identity”, reflecting on how their choice of tools aligns with their teaching values and practice.

Throughout the episode, Victoria offers practical strategies for identifying and addressing bias in AI-generated content, from crafting precise prompts to fostering collaborative reflection among educators. She emphasizes the importance of leadership in creating supportive spaces where teachers can experiment with AI and share learnings as a community.

Listeners of this episode (and beyond!) are encouraged to think critically about the role of AI in education and the collective responsibility to ensure its ethical, inclusive use.

Resources and mentions

GenEdLabs.ai

Lesson Inspector 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)