ChatEDU – The AI & Education Podcast

In this episode of ChatEDU (The Wizard Problem, Trust, Transparency and Teaching in the Age of AI), Matt and Liz start with a deepfake dress-up, a Saturday Night Fever–style keynote pose, and Google’s viral “Nano Banana”. They spotlight new Gemini features and predict moves in email, Outlook, and Google’s AI strategy. Then it’s a rapid rundown, a case for why AI won’t rival human intuition, and a dive into “wizard” agents.Story #1: Rundown RoundupAI Humanizers Flop: Lifehacker tests Paraphraser.io and others; most fail detectors. StealthWriter helped somewhat, but inconsistently.Turnitin Strikes Back: New detectors catch AI writing and text rewritten by humanizers.Gallup AI Survey: 98% of Americans know about AI, but only 8% feel “very knowledgeable.” Trust rises with use, but job fears persist.Pew on AI: 53% think AI will hurt creativity; most want more control and worry about telling AI from humans.OpenAI User Study: 700M use ChatGPT weekly; 10% of use is education-related. Younger users dominate; gender gap closed.Anthropic Trends: Workplace AI adoption doubled since 2023; instructional material creation up 6x. Utah and D.C. lead.Teen Plan: OpenAI adds age prediction, defaulting to under-18 mode when unsure. Parents get controls and alerts.Altman Speaks: In a Tucker Carlson interview, OpenAI’s CEO says his fear isn’t doomsday but everyday misuse.AI Textbooks: Google’s “Learn Your Way” tool personalizes reading and assessment, outperforming eBooks in early trials.Story #2: Why AI Will Never Run the WorldMatt and Liz unpack Angus Fletcher’s Primal Intelligence, which argues AI can’t replicate human “story thinking.” AI is strong in logic and prediction but weak in intuition, imagination, emotion, and common sense. Liz frames literature as training for flexible thinking; Matt applies Fletcher’s ideas to front office triage. They explore how this divide affects education, leadership, and innovation.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): The Wizard Behind the CurtainEthan Mollick says AI acts like “wizards,” producing polished work with little transparency. Liz tests this by giving Claude and it outputs a McKinsey-style presentation with insights and formatting. But in Massachusetts, an AI glitch misgraded 1,400 student essays on the MCAS test. The lesson: with wizardry comes responsibility.Bright Byte: Save the Orange!Coca-Cola and MIT use generative AI to fight citrus greening, which threatens orange juice worldwide. By simulating disease spread and testing interventions virtually, they show how AI can tackle agricultural crises.Announcements and SponsorsCheck out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.orgThe Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October -  skills21.org/ai/microThe National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. www.nextgenmfg.orgEDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences and boost achievement. edia.app/contactLinks and ReferencesGemini Gem Sharinghttps://tinyurl.com/k4ah3689Google’s Learn Your Way⁠https://tinyurl.com/3v6rd9td⁠Lifehacker: AI Humanizershttps://tinyurl.com/4kv842bsTurnitin Detection Updatehttps://tinyurl.com/3u2pxzz7Gallup AI Studyhttps://tinyurl.com/kesa6xehPew AI Reporthttps://tinyurl.com/mryp2dvcOpenAI User Studyhttps://tinyurl.com/b82bs99kAnthropic Economic Index⁠https://tinyurl.com/37stk67h⁠OpenAI Teen Safety Updateshttps://tinyurl.com/5n7j5sfz⁠https://tinyurl.com/2cz87pvcSam Altman Interviewhttps://tinyurl.com/4sv68ps9Angus Fletcher’s Primal Intelligencehttps://tinyurl.com/2d9zujj6Ethan Mollick: On Working with Wizardshttps://tinyurl.com/4n59dhsnSkills21 Prompt Review Toolhttps://www.skills21.org/promptsCommon Sense Media AI Toolkithttps://tinyurl.com/5xet3e4tBright Byte: Save the Orangehttps://tinyurl.com/4f6mxpm7

In this episode of ChatEDU (Counting What Counts: The Push to Measure AI Literacy), Matt & Liz start with a tech glitch & a visit with Aura, a Tesla voice model pretending to be a therapist. They shift to copyright lawsuits, student safety, & the need to define & measure AI literacy in schools.Story #1: The Rundown$1.5B Settlement: Anthropic agrees to pay authors for pirated training data. A major legal turning point. The court delays the deal & demands transparency & clear author rights.Character.AI Report: 669 harmful chatbot interactions with kids found in 50 hours of testing.FTC Investigation: The FTC opens a formal inquiry into AI companions & their impact on minors.NotebookLM Upgrades: Flashcards, quizzes, audio guides, & LMS support added to Google’s AI study tool.SETDA 2025 Report: AI is now the top state edtech priority. Device bans are rising, but so is investment in AI PD.Curtin Disables AI Detection: Turnitin’s AI-writing detector will be turned off to support trust & modern assessment.Detectors Still Struggle: Most AI detectors fail key benchmarks. Pangram is the only one showing strong results.Open-Source AI Textbooks: A new tool lets educators build AI-powered textbooks from OER with no coding.NYT Teen Contest: Students ages 13–19 can submit creative projects on life with AI. Due Oct 22.Story #2: Social Learning in the Age of AIA new study shows AI is replacing peer-to-peer learning. Students are skipping group study & turning to chatbots. The result is less collaboration, less creativity, & more isolation. Matt & Liz unpack the impact on student motivation & mentorship.Story #3: Beneath the Surface – AI Literacy & the Measurement GapSchools are racing to teach AI, but how do we know students are learning what matters?TeachAI ScenariosReady-to-use lessons that build source-checking & ethical use skills.AI QuestA game-based platform from Google & Stanford where students train models & solve real problems.ETS OpinionWithout shared definitions & measurement, AI literacy risks becoming a buzzword.Liz shares how her new student-facing course approaches skills, reflection, & real-world prompts.Bright Byte: Alter EgoMIT’s new wearable lets users silently communicate with machines by detecting muscle signals in the jaw & throat. Built to support people with ALS & MS, this tool brings AI & accessibility together.Links & ResourcesNotebookLMhttps://notebooklm.google/AI Scenariosailiteracyframework.orgAI Questhttps://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-quests/ETS Opinionhttps://hechingerreport.org/opinion-schools-cannot-teach-ai-literacy-without-a-way-to-measure-it/Character.AIhttps://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-launches-inquiry-ai-chatbots-acting-companionsSETDA 2025https://www.setda.org/priorities/state-trends/Anthropic Settlementhttps://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5529404/anthropic-settlement-authors-copyright-aiJudge Pushbackhttps://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/anthropic-judge-blasts-copyright-pact-as-nowhere-close-to-doneCurtin Disables Detectionhttps://www.curtin.edu.au/news/oasis-news/update-on-turnitin-ai-detection-tool/NBER Studyhttps://www.nber.org/papers/w34223GenerativeTextbooks.orgNYT Contesthttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/learning/growing-up-with-ai-a-multimedia-challenge-for-teenagers-and-educators.htmlAlter Egohttps://decrypt.co/338527/near-telepathic-wearable-communicate-silently-devicesAnnouncementsCheck out the new Student AI Course for middle & high school. Email Matt & Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator & school leader course starting in October -  skills21.org/ai/microSponsorsThe National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. www.nextgenmfg.orgEDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences & boost achievement edia.app/contact

In this episode of ChatEDU (Beyond the Bot and the US AI Presidential Challenge), Matt and Liz open with Google’s VEO 3-powered photo animations and a study showing how large language models are influencing speech. The Rundown, features updates on NotebookLM, a national AI partnership in Greece, OpenAI certification programs, and AI in math instruction. Matt speaks with Dr. Casey Sachs from the U.S. Department of Education about the AI Presidential Challenge and how students are being asked to solve real problems with AI. The show ends with a Bright Byte on AI-powered stethoscopes.The RundownNotebookLM Adds Audio OverviewsGoogle adds three new audio formats—Brief, Critique, and Debate—plus improved multilingual support in NotebookLM.Greece Adopts ChatGPT EduGreece partners with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Edu in secondary schools and startups, making AI a national strategy.OpenAI Launches Jobs and Certification ProgramA new platform will certify 10 million Americans in AI fluency by 2030, backed by major industry partners.Parents Losing Trust in AIA new PDK poll shows parent support for AI in schools is falling, especially around grading and data privacy.AI Math Goes Viral with Celebrity VoicesStudents are learning vectors via AI-generated Drake and Will Smith tutorials. Fun, but potentially distracting.AI Reviews Popular Math CurriculumA study finds clarity issues in Illustrative Mathematics’ Grade 4 fractions unit. AI suggests quick, effective revisions.Melania Trump Launches AI Literacy ChallengeThe First Lady convenes education and tech leaders at the White House to launch the Age of AI Challenge for students.Beneath the Surface: The AI Presidential ChallengeDr. Casey Sachs from the U.S. Department of Education shares how the challenge invites students to use AI to solve real-world problems, with finalists presenting at the White House. The conversation also covers workforce development, apprenticeships, and what it means to be truly AI literate in today’s world. Learn more or register at AI.govBright Byte: AI Stethoscopes Show Promise — and PushbackA UK trial found AI stethoscopes detect heart issues 3.5x more effectively, but many doctors dropped them due to false positives and workflow issues. Strong signal, mixed reception.Links and ReferencesAI Presidential Challengehttps://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/NotebookLM Audio Formatshttps://9to5google.com/2025/09/02/notebooklm-audio-overview-debate/Greece-OpenAI Dealhttps://www.reuters.com/technology/greece-openai-agree-deal-boost-innovation-schools-small-businesses-2025-09-05/OpenAI Certificationhttps://openai.com/index/expanding-economic-opportunity-with-ai/PDK Poll on AI in Schoolshttps://thehill.com/homenews/education/5475742-ai-in-schools-parents-poll/Drake Math Cliphttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/drake-solves-vectors-the-ai-trend-making-math-go-viral-and-interesting-for-students/articleshow/121886366.cmsIllustrative Math Studyhttps://www.educationnext.org/what-ai-revealed-about-a-top-math-program/White House Event Coveragehttps://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/first-lady-melania-trump-convenes-meeting-of-white-house-ai-education-task-force/665171https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/melania-trump-ai-challenge-white-houseAI Stethoscope Reporthttps://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2025/august/ai-stethoscope-can-detect-three-heart-conditions-in-15-secondsSponsorsNational Center for Next Generation ManufacturingLearn more at nextgenmfg.orgEDIA: AI for Attendance EngagementFollow up on every absence — in over 50 languagesedia.app/contactAnnouncementsFall AI Micro-Credential starts October. skills21.org/ai/microStudent AI Literacy Course now available. Email chatedu@edadvance.org - Bonus: Includes full Social Media Literacy CurriculumRegister for our fall in-person Conference (October 3rd) - https://www.edadvance.org/ai-conference

In this episode of ChatEDU (Kids, Bots, and Badly Broken Guardrails - Some AI Labs are Failing), Matt and Liz joke about Google’s newest image generator. They discuss the risks facing students and educators, from job displacement and AI grading shortcuts to tech companies failing at safety.The RundownGoogle Translate added real-time translation in 70+ languages and a learning tool. Duolingo’s stock dropped 3%. Google added Vids, Podcast mode, Deep Research, and is testing “Tutor Mode.” Gemini Storybook is used in filmmaking. Claude’s Learning Mode and Output Styles are open to all. Anthropic found 57% of Claude use is curriculum-related. A study shows most students use AI to learn, not cheat. QuizGPT makes adaptive quizzes. Grammarly’s AI grader raises privacy concerns.Stanford and ADP report sharp declines in entry-level jobs in AI-exposed fields, while mid-career roles grow.Beneath the Surface: Reports show failures at major AI labs. Claude added “model welfare” for self-protection. Unregulated mental health bots reach teens. Meta allowed inappropriate chats. A California teen died after long AI chats. Matt and Liz urge families to raise awareness and use Common Sense Media’s AI Companion Guide.Bright Byte: Dame Stephanie Shirley, UK pioneer and advocate for women in tech, is honored.Links and ReferencesGoogle Translate Live AI Updateshttps://support.google.com/translate/thread/368009254/what%E2%80%99s-new-ai-powered-live-translation-and-language-learning-tools-in-google-translate?hl=enDuolingo vs. Google Translatehttps://fortune.com/2025/08/27/duolingo-existential-crisis-ai-google-translate-language-learning-live-translation/Google Storybookhttps://nofilmschool.com/google-gemini-storybook#Claude Learning Modehttps://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-brings-claudes-learning-mode-to-regular-users-and-devs-170018471.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALkT1wnWh20W-KA5MqOzCLHKa6fWRwBgZYITOik07c2fc22k6XYZ0RwZG83oVPbNam5QNb4HYPVEsLUwLB5KE_PzHq2gFwxshUGHYYjqGz7Uzk5HBZ4RJE0NWxHuhWA0SzmHzPmPJQsxiz2cWDyAZMkbEEwLkLbSSBc3-90_q0_GAnthropic Educator Use Reporthttps://www.anthropic.com/news/anthropic-education-report-how-educators-use-claudeMiddlebury Student AI Studyhttps://www.fastcompany.com/91387634/middlebury-college-students-ai-use-enhance-learning-researchGrammarly's Grader Agenthttps://futurism.com/ai-look-up-teachers-info-predict-gradesStanford/ADP AI Job Loss Studyhttps://digitaleconomy.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Canaries_BrynjolfssonChandarChen.pdfCommon Sense Petition to Metahttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/press-releases/meta-ai-companions-unsafe-for-kids-common-sense-media-report-findsRhythm Project: Pro-Social AI Designhttps://therithmproject.substack.com/p/five-principles-for-prosocial-aiNew York Times: ChatGPT and Teen Mental Healthhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/opinion/teen-mental-health-chatbots.htmlMeta AI Failurehttps://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/meta-ai-chatbot-guidelines/Reuter’s Exposéhttps://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/meta-ai-chatbot-death/Dame Stephanie Shirley – BBC Obituaryhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzzlp7p3poQuizGPT Flashcardshttps://chatgpt.com/g/g-L2oS619tl-quizgptCommon Sense AI Companion Guidehttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/articles/parents-ultimate-guide-to-ai-companions-and-relationshipsAnnouncementsBeta Release: Student AI Literacy CourseNow available for middle and high schools.Email chatedu@edadvance.org for access and details.Fall AI Micro-Credential for Educators and LeadersRegistration is open. Start date: October. Sign up at www.skills21.org/ai/microSponsorsNational Center for Next Generation Manufacturing - Helping educators and students build workforce-ready skills through innovation. www.nextgenmfg.orgEDIA - The AI Platform to improve k-12 outcomes. edia.app/contact

In this special episode of the ChatEDU (She's Back! What Charli Hughes Thinks About AI, College, and More), Liz welcomes back Charli Hughes after her first year at UConn. Charli shares why she added Molecular & Cell Biology to her CS major, how professors are making AI-resistant (“durable”) assignments, how she uses AI for deep research, and a peek at her startup developing a low-cost patch to help detect radiation dermatitis and diabetic foot ulcers. Liz looks forward to welcoing Charli back next summer with more updates.SponsorThis episode is supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing.AnnouncementsFall Educator / Leader AI Micro-Credential is open: www.skills21.org/ai/microNew AI Literacy Course now in pilot. Email chatedu@edadvance.org for info.

VOTE FOR MATT & LIZ (SXSW EDU)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session⁠⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZM⁠⁠Vote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project session⁠⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhOIn this episode of ChatEDU (Have the EDU Agents Arrived?), Matt and Liz open with GPT-5’s geography fail, a farewell to AOL dial-up, and reactions to the new ChatGPT personality. Then it’s onto a Rundown of five fast-moving stories from education and AI, a spotlight on Utah’s coordinated approach, and a deep dive into how AI agents are reshaping school operations. The Bright Byte takes us to space with Google and NASA’s new health assistant.Story 1: RundownColleges and AI: Economist Tyler Cowen says one-third of coursework should focus on AI use, limits, and interaction.Miami-Dade Guidelines: The district plans formal teacher guidance after early Gemini pilots.Future-Ready Skills: Arrun Kapoor calls for shifting from STEM to a balanced “THESIS” model including social sciences and creativity.Equity in Rural AI: aiEDU launches a $1M grant program for underserved communities.Teacher-Led Design: A study shows teachers build better AI tools when designing for classroom needs.Story 2: Utah Gets CoordinatedUtah leads with a statewide AI specialist, embedded curriculum, paid teacher pilots, and strong infrastructure. Other states may take note.Beneath the SurfaceAI agents already manage walkthroughs, calendars, parent messages, and more. Matt and Liz explore what’s here, what’s next, and what districts should watch.Bright ByteA new AI-powered assistant may help astronauts treat issues when Earth is out of reach. Similar tools could soon serve rural and remote areas.LinksAI Designs Computer Chips We Can’t Understand — But They Work Really Wellhttps://www.zmescience.com/science/ai-designs-chip-repubz/AOL discontinues its dial-up internet, and we're just surprised they even offered it in 2025https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/aol-discontinues-its-dial-up-internet-and-were-just-surprised-they-even-offered-it-in-2025/Colleges should teach how to use AI rather than skills a 'machine' can do better, a leading economist sayshttps://www.businessinsider.com/economist-tyler-cowen-college-students-trained-jobs-ai-work-2025-8Miami-Dade Schools to Draft AI Classroom Guidelineshttps://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/08/12/miami-dade-public-schools-ai-guidelines-for-teachersHow AI Will Reshape K-12 and Higher Education for Future Readinesshttps://www.informationweek.com/machine-learning-ai/how-ai-will-reshape-k-12-and-higher-education-for-future-readinessaiEDU Program to Improve AI Literacy for Rural, Indigenous Studentshttps://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/aiedu-program-to-improve-ai-literacy-for-rural-indigenous-studentsWant Teachers to Learn How to Use AI for Instruction? Let Them Design the Toolshttps://www.edweek.org/technology/want-teachers-to-learn-how-to-use-ai-for-instruction-let-them-design-the-tools/2025/08#:~:text=Let%20Them%20Design%20the%20Tools,-By%20Sarah%20D&text=Teachers%20may%20benefit%20from%20hands,solve%20their%20classroom%20problems%20effectively.Utah has emerged as a national leader in figuring out AI in K-12 educationhttps://www.kuer.org/education/2025-08-07/utah-has-emerged-as-a-national-leader-in-figuring-out-ai-in-k-12-educationHow Google and NASA are testing AI for medical care in spacehttps://cloud.google.com/blog/topics/public-sector/how-google-and-nasa-are-testing-ai-for-medical-care-in-spaceSponsorThis episode is supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing.AnnouncementsVote for Matt and Liz at SXSW EDU by August 25Fall Educator / Leader AI Micro-Credential is open: www.skills21.org/ai/microNew AI Literacy Course now in pilot. Email chatedu@edadvance.org for info.

VOTE FOR MATT & LIZ (SXSW EDU)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session -⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZM⁠Vote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project (PIP) session -⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhOIn this episode of ChatEDU (Google Claps Back: Guided Learning in Gemini), Matt and Liz open with a whirlwind of AI developments. They share impressions of GPT-5’s quirks and memory mishaps, read a defense of the m dash, and react to the self-loathing loop from Google’s Gemini model. They also tackle AI’s limits, laugh at edible lamp business plans, and break down why threatening a chatbot won’t make it smarter.Story #1: Rundown – GPT-5, Essay Bans, Mental Health Rules, ChatGPT Tune-Ups, AI Predictions, and a Billion Dollar RetreatThis week’s rundown includes GPT-5’s shaky rollout, a top New York high school banning summer essays to prevent ChatGPT cheating, Illinois becoming the first state to prohibit AI-led mental health therapy, and South Korea ending its national AI textbook program. They cover OpenAI’s “What we’re optimizing ChatGPT for” update, aimed at making the chatbot better at detecting distress and less likely to give overly agreeable answers, plus a study showing large language models can predict educational and psychological outcomes from childhood essays with remarkable accuracy. The segment wraps with Google’s launch of Genie 3, a text-to-3D world model that creates interactive scenes on the fly.Story #2: Common Sense Media Assesses AI Teacher ToolsCommon Sense Media’s latest AI Risk Assessment examines teacher-facing tools like Google Classroom, MagicSchool, Khanmigo, and Kiip. The report gives these platforms a moderate risk rating, noting that they perform best when built on high-quality instructional materials and teacher oversight. Risks include bias, inaccurate content, and reduced curricular coherence. Matt and Liz discuss why novice teachers may be especially vulnerable to over-reliance.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): Guided Learning from GoogleJust days after OpenAI launched Study Mode, Google responded with Guided Learning inside the Gemini app. Matt and Liz test it live, exploring its math support, quiz generator, and visual explanations. They highlight new education-focused announcements from Google, including one year of free Gemini Pro access for college students, a billion-dollar AI education initiative, and a storybook builder that turns photos into narrated adventures.AnnouncementsEmail Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org for info on their new Student-Facing AI Literacy CourseRegister for the Fall Micro-Credential (starts October) – skills21.org/ai/microGet details on the EdAdvance AI in Education Conference & PL Series – edadvance.org/ai-conferenceLinks and References (as mentioned in the show)McSweeney’s “The M Dash Responds to the AI Allegations”https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-em-dash-responds-to-the-ai-allegationsBusiness Insider on Gemini’s Self-Loathing Bughttps://www.businessinsider.com/gemini-self-loathing-i-am-a-failure-comments-google-fix-2025-8Common Sense Media Teacher AI Assistant Risk Reporthttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ai-teacher-assistants?gate=commsdistributionlinkStanford EdTech AI Study (SchoolAI Usage)https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-k-12-educators-actually-engaging-vsgme/Google Guided Learning Blog Post – Explore Guided Learninghttps://blog.google/products/gemini/storybooks/Dan Fitzpatrick’s Google Edu Updates on Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/danfitzpatrick/2025/08/06/google-takes-aim-at-chatgpt-study-mode-with-major-gemini-updates/SponsorThis episode is supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, helping students and educators build workforce-ready skills through innovation. www.nextgenmfg.org

ChatEDU: Best of Beyond the Bot (Matt and Liz)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session to highlight inspiring stories of students using AI to solve real-world problems and play an interactive game from the that challenges how we protect human values in an AI-driven world.https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZMPersonal Interest Projects (Liz only)Vote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project (PIP) session to support a hands-on, practical session that helps educators guide student-driven, standards-based projects while using AI in thoughtful and ethical ways.https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhO

VOTE FOR MATT & LIZ (SXSW EDU)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session -https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZMVote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project (PIP) session -https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhOIn this episode of ChatEDU (Choose Your Adventure - AI Tutor or Cheat?), Matt and Liz open with updates on robot massages, laundry-folding bots, and a favorite new AI memory prompt from Westport, Connecticut, followed by a global rundown, a breakthrough in 3D world modeling, and a deeper look at ChatGPT’s new Study Mode and what it reveals about student learning.Story #1: The Rundown Goes Global and Local From robot assistants to policy shifts, this week’s rundown spans AI headlines with big implications: NotebookLM can now build narrated slide decks, the National Science Foundation is investing $100 million in AI research, and the Presidential AI Challenge invites students and teachers to tackle real-world problems. Switzerland launches a green multilingual LLM, China and India expand AI education, and Oregon partners with NVIDIA to grow AI learning. Sam Altman warns of AI dependency, and users discover their ChatGPT chats may not be legally private, news that highlights both momentum and risk.Story #2: A 3D World from Words Tencent’s Hunyuan World 1.0 lets users create immersive 3D environments from a simple text prompt. Open-sourced on GitHub, it combines panoramic image generation with interactive object control. Still technical for now, it hints at uses in education, simulation, and storytelling. Today it requires Unity and Python; eventually, students could build explorable science labs or historical settings with a sentence.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): Study Mode and the Tutor ButtonOpenAI’s new Study Mode turns ChatGPT into a Socratic tutor—on for scaffolded questions, off for full essays. Matt and Liz explore what this reveals about learning and agency, and examine the system prompt behind it. MIT warns it still draws from flawed sources, but it’s more engaging than static study guides. Custom GPTs and student-built tutors may be next. As AI reshapes education, Study Mode offers a sharper view of what’s possible, and what’s at stake.Links and References (as mentioned in the show)Presidential AI Challengehttps://www.ai.gov/initiatives/presidential-challengeSwiss Multilingual LLM from WINShttps://www.winssolutions.org/switzerland-open-source-llm-new-standard/MIT Technology Review on China’s AI Pushhttps://www.technologyreview.com/2025/07/28/1120747/chinese-universities-ai-use/Hunyuan World 1.0 GitHubhttps://github.com/Tencent-Hunyuan/HunyuanWorld-1.0Study Mode Overview (Neuron)https://www.theneuron.ai/newsletter/chatgpt-became-your-tutorMIT Review on Study Modehttps://www.technologyreview.com/2025/07/29/1120801/openai-is-launching-a-version-of-chatgpt-for-college-students/#:~:text=OpenAI%20is%20launching%20Study%20Mode,academic%20year%20starts%20in%20September.Business Insider on Study Mode and Buying a Carhttps://www.businessinsider.com/chatgpt-study-mode-ai-big-life-decision-making-buy-car-2025-7Forbes on System Promptshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/lanceeliot/2025/08/03/deciphering-the-custom-instructions-underlying-openais-new-chatgpt-study-mode-reveals-vital-insights-including-for-prompt-engineering/AI Agents Build COVID Vaccine (Stanford)https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/07/virtual-scientist.htmlAI Immunotherapy Designhttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adv0422YouTube AI Age Detectionhttps://blog.youtube/news-and-events/extending-our-built-in-protections-to-more-teens-on-youtube/AnnouncementsFall Micro-Credential Waitlist is OpenGet on the list at skills21.org/ai/microNew Student AI Literacy CurriculumEmail Matt and Liz to learn more: chatedu@edadvance.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (A United States of AI Policy?), Matt and Liz start off with a quick rundown of AI agents and their many emerging use cases, from helping with cooking to managing spreadsheets. They also touch on AI-driven ticket pricing at Delta and the ongoing AI usage boom (2.5 billion daily prompts!). Then it’s into the three big stories shaping the AI education landscape this week.Story 1: The Rundown – AI Goes for Gold, Canvas x OpenAI, and Baby Grok Worries First up, AI earns a gold medal at the International Math Olympiad, with Gemini and ChatGPT solving some of the hardest problems out there. Meanwhile, OpenAI is teaming up with Canvas to integrate AI tools directly into classrooms, letting teachers build custom chatbots while maintaining visibility over student use. On the wellness side, students are confiding in chatbots about stress and sleep issues more than ever. And yes, we now have “Baby Grok,” Elon Musk’s AI toy for kids. The team raises serious concerns about young learners developing emotional bonds with bots.Story 2: New Federal Guidance – Two Key Docs from the U.S. Department of EducationThe U.S. Department of Education just released two companion documents: a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) and a new Federal Register entry. Together, they offer high-level guidance on how schools can use federal funding to support AI adoption, including instructional tools, tutoring, and professional development. The documents also promote AI and computer science literacy, including credentials and dual enrollment pathways. While the tone is more visionary than directive, the emphasis on ethical, educator-led implementation is clear.Story 3 (Beneath the Surface): States Step Up – AI Guidance from Maine to Ohio More than half of U.S. states have now issued official K-12 AI guidance. North Carolina’s “EVERY” framework and Georgia’s educator ethics additions stand out for their practical approach. Ohio takes it further. All schools in the state must adopt a local AI use policy by 2026. While the move is bold, Matt and Liz warn that top-down policies should still be shaped locally with student, teacher, and parent voices at the table.Bright Byte: AI Finds Hidden Earthquakes Researchers used machine learning to detect over 86,000 earthquakes in Yellowstone, 10 times more than previously known. This breakthrough could improve risk forecasting and support geothermal energy development.Links and ReferencesDCL: Dear Colleague Letter on AI Usehttps://www.ed.gov/media/document/opepd-ai-dear-colleague-letter-7222025-110427.pdfFederal Register AI Priorityhttps://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/07/21/2025-13650/proposed-priority-and-definitions-secretarys-supplemental-priority-and-definitions-on-advancingAlongside Mental Health Chatbothttps://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-07-08-students-ai-chats-reveal-their-largest-stressorsOpenAI + Canvas Announcementhttps://www.axios.com/2025/07/23/openai-chatgpt-schools-canvas-instructureAI Wins Gold at IMOhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/humans-beat-ai-technology-google-openai-math-olympiad-machines-catching-up/Baby Grok Announcementhttps://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/elon-musk-announces-kid-friendly-baby-grok-ai-chatbot-designed-specifically-childrens-learning-needsChatbots and Toddlershttps://www.axios.com/2025/07/21/ai-chatbots-toddlers-brainsAI Quake Discovery in Yellowstonehttps://phys.org/news/2025-07-machine-uncovers-earthquakes-yellowstone-caldera.htmlAnnouncementsThe Fall Teacher AI Micro-Credential waitlist is open:skills21.org/ai/microTo learn more about our new Student AI Literacy Course, email chatedu@edadvance.orgSponsorThis episode is supported in part by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, helping students and educators build workforce-ready skills through innovation.www.nextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Guardrails or Surveillance? The Great Summer Gemini Debate), Matt and Liz kick things off with a peek into robot-filled Austin, Texas. Think driverless Jaguars and winking food-delivery cubes. They also share a few updates from their trip to AESA’s summer conference. From there, they dive into three major stories shaping the fast-moving intersection of AI and education.Story #1: The Rundown ReturnsThere’s no summer slowdown here. From Turnitin’s big pivot with its Clarity platform to Harvard Business School’s AI tutors and a Common Sense Media study on teen AI companions, Matt and Liz work through a packed list. Along the way, they demo NotebookLM’s new interactive features, revisit the Kittle voice agent, and highlight a troubling move by Elon Musk’s Grok: anime bots and vulgar red pandas designed to keep kids engaged and perhaps manipulated.Story #2: Beyond the BotThis week’s Beyond the Bot segment features student-driven innovation from Kenya to New Zealand. First up, a recap of the Africa AI Literacy Week Hackathon, where university students tackled agricultural challenges with custom bots, crop-prediction models, and offline tools. Then Matt and Liz spotlight the InSpirit AI Scholars Program, a standout opportunity for high school students to build real-world AI skills through guided mentorship from top-tier grad students.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): Guardrails or Surveillance?It’s the summer’s hottest debate: Should student AI chats be monitored or private? Matt and Liz break down reactions to Google’s Gemini launch, which skipped the teacher dashboards favored by MagicSchool, SchoolAI, and Brisk. On one side: concerns about safety, transparency, and accountability. On the other: powerful arguments about student agency, trust, and AI literacy. This story puts competing philosophies head to head and asks what kind of AI education we really want.Bright ByteThis week’s Bright Byte highlights a peer-reviewed study showing how AI is helping hotels and restaurants slash food waste. Using computer vision and deep learning, AI-powered tracking devices identified where food was being lost.Links and References:Turnitin Clarity press release-https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turnitin-delivers-turnitin-clarity-to-bring-transparency-and-responsible-ai-to-the-writing-process-supporting-academic-integrity-in-education-302504889.htmlHarvard Business Publishing: AI tutors in accountinghttps://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/ai-tutor-bots-harvard-business-schoolCommon Sense Media: AI Companions Report-https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/16/health/teens-ai-companion-wellnessInSpirit AI Scholars Program-https://www.inspiritai.com/Africa AI Literacy Week Hackathon (Ish Kenya)-https://tech-ish.com/2025/07/03/ai-africa-agri-tech-sector/Bright Byte-https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X25001072AnnouncementsThe Skills21 Student AI Literacy Course will be available for the fall.To learn more or bring it to your school, email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.orgSponsorThis episode is supported in part by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, helping students and educators build workforce-ready skills through innovation.https://www.nextgenmfg.org/

In this episode of ChatEDU (College Degrees to Beat the Bot), Matt and Liz kick things off with a voice AI agent for small businesses (including Liz’s very own Studio 217) and trippy new uses for chatbots. From there, they dig into the fast-moving world of robotics, sharing stories of clumsy soccer-playing humanoids, robot warehouse takeovers, and AI-assisted classroom companions. Then, they go Beneath the Surface with a deep dive on seven college majors that may just “beat the bot” — plus an acronym from MIT you’ll actually want to remember. Finally, this week’s Bright Byte delivers a surprising (and heartwarming) AI breakthrough in infertility treatment.Story #1 — Tsunami of Early-Summer AI StoriesMatt and Liz cover a load of stories in the AI news including prompt injection in academic papers, reports from ISTE, and reported big K-12 AI investments.Story #2 — Robots on the RampageHumanoid robots fall down (a lot) in 3-on-3 soccer matches. Amazon’s warehouse bots are on the rise, and on track to outnumber human workers. Misty II charms students in special education, and Hugging Face releases a DIY robot you can program yourself. It’s fun, freaky… and definitely closer than you think.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface) — College Majors that Beat the BotCognitive science, bioinformatics, creative tech, and more. Forbes calls these “AI-durable” degrees that blend human creativity, ethics, and empathy with AI savvy. Matt and Liz also explore MIT’s EPOCH framework for future-proof skills: Empathy, Presence, Opinion, Creativity, Hope. Whether you’re advising students or thinking about your own next move, this one’s worth the listen.Bright ByteAfter 18 years of infertility, AI called STAR (Sperm Tracking and Recovery) helped a couple conceive by finding viable sperm human eyes missed, no invasive surgery required. Sometimes AI really is a miracle worker.Links and References11 Labs AI Voice Agent Toolhttps://elevenlabs.io/app/talk-to?agent_id=agent_01jzxnd7e5fsv9cvve4g6np8v7Hugging Face Reachy Mini Robot https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/09/hugging-face-opens-up-orders-for-its-reachy-mini-desktop-robots/ISTE AI in Education Highlightshttps://www.edweek.org/technology/can-ai-make-history-class-more-fun-for-students/2025/07OpenAI, Anthropic and Microsoft Invest in AI/K-12https://www.forbes.com/sites/danfitzpatrick/2025/07/08/microsoft-openai--anthropic-fund-a-national-ai-academy-for-teachers/Japan Times on AI Peer Review Hackshttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/04/japan/ai-research-prompt-injection/3 v 3 Robot Soccerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPL7sK0pJOEAmazon Scales Robotshttps://unionrayo.com/en/amazon-new-autonomous-robots/Misty IIhttps://www.forbes.com/sites/danfitzpatrick/2025/07/07/how-an-ai-robot-helped-silent-kids-speak/Forbes: College Majors to Beat the Bot https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahhernholm/2025/06/30/7-college-majors-that-prepare-you-to-lead-in-an-ai-driven-economy/MIT EPOCH Framework on Human Capabilitieshttps://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/these-human-capabilities-complement-ais-shortcomingsCNN on STAR AI and Infertility Breakthroughhttps://www.cnn.com/2025/07/03/health/ai-male-infertility-sperm-wellnessSponsorThis episode is supported in part by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing — nextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Viral or Villain - Is the AI Backlash Just Beginning?), Matt and Liz open with travel updates from Liz’s time at ISTE/ASCD, shoutouts to listeners met on the road, and a quick prompt hack before diving into three big stories shaping the tension between AI’s rapid adoption in schools and growing backlash in society. From AI-powered literacy tools to global assessment changes and the tension between usage and resistance, this episode explores what happens when AI goes viral, and when the backlash begins.Story #1: Amira’s AI Literacy Screening in NewarkNewark Public Schools is rolling out Amira, an AI-powered literacy screener assessing K-3 students by listening to them read aloud. The tool helps identify fluency challenges and personalizes interventions while emphasizing augmentation, not replacement, of teachers. While promising for early literacy, experts highlight the need for human oversight, particularly for English learners, to ensure equitable outcomes.Story #2: PISA Adds AI Literacy to Global AssessmentsThe OECD’s PISA assessment will add a Media and AI Literacy domain in 2029 to measure students’ critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and ability to navigate misinformation in an AI-mediated world. Using simulations of search engines, social media feeds, and chatbot interactions, this marks a major shift in what global assessments will value, preparing systems to measure skills relevant to the digital age.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): The Walton Study, Wired, and the Growing AI BacklashA new Walton Family Foundation survey with Gallup shows teachers are saving nearly six weeks a year using AI while improving lesson quality and work-life balance. Meanwhile, 97% of Gen Z students are using AI for homework, test prep, and college essays. Yet, a rising backlash is building outside schools as concerns over automation, environmental impact, and copyright issues grow. Matt and Liz discuss what leaders should do to pair intentional AI adoption with policy, dialogue, and equity to navigate the coming tension.Bright Byte: Microsoft’s MAI-DXO Diagnoses Faster and CheaperIn healthcare, Microsoft’s MAI-DXO has diagnosed 85% of complex medical cases accurately while lowering costs by reducing unnecessary testing. This signals how AI can streamline diagnostics, save money, and improve care, if implemented with thoughtful clinical validation.Links and ReferencesAmira Literacy Screening (Chalkbeat + NJ.com)https://www.nj.com/mosaic/2025/06/newark-launches-ai-tool-to-boost-literacy-for-struggling-students.htmlPISA Media & AI Literacy Domain – OECD Announcementhttps://www.oecd.org/en/about/projects/pisa-2029-media-and-artificial-intelligence-literacy.htmlWalton/Gallup AI Survey – Teach for Tomorrow Reporthttps://www.gallup.com/analytics/659819/k-12-teacher-research.aspxWired on AI Backlash – Reese Rogers, June 28https://www.wired.com/story/generative-ai-backlash/Microsoft MAI-DXO Diagnostic Orchestratorhttps://microsoft.ai/new/the-path-to-medical-superintelligence/Skills21 AI Resources and Policy Samplesskills21.org/ai/resourcesSponsor: National Center for Next Generation Manufacturingnextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Check Please: Is Your AI Paying Off?) Matt and Jonathan open with updates about Liz’s at ISTE/ASCD. From there, they tackle a practical and philosophical look at AI’s rapid growth, job impacts, classroom adoption, and hidden trade-offs as leaders rethink what to automate. The episode closes with a bright byte on how AI is helping India map heat risks, proving that machine learning can drive real-world climate adaptation.Story #1: The AI Resume Arms RaceMatt and Jonathan unpack a recent New York Times piece on how employers are overwhelmed by a flood of AI-generated resumes, while companies fight back with AI-powered screening tools. It’s an HR arms race with clear parallels to the college essay challenge, forcing educators and employers alike to rethink what authentic assessment and hiring should look like in the age of generative AI.Story #2: What Gets Measured Gets AutomatedPulling from a Harvard Business Review analysis, Matt and Jonathan explore which tasks AI will automate first, from grading quizzes to lesson planning to even attendance tracking via facial recognition. They discuss where AI makes sense, where human judgment is still essential, and how this ties into deeper conversations about what education is truly for in an AI-saturated world.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): Is Your AI Actually Adding Value?Going deeper, they highlight an HBR “AI Value Audit” to help educators and leaders assess when using AI saves time versus when it erodes critical learning, skill development, and human connection. They apply this audit live, pulling real tasks from ChatGPT histories and discussing which uses genuinely amplify their work—and which risk making things shallower.Bright Byte: India Uses AI to Map Heat RisksIndia is now using AI and satellite data to map heat vulnerability building-by-building across major cities. This lets communities target interventions like cool roofs and green spaces, helping residents adapt to extreme heat events made worse by climate change. It’s a crisp example of how AI can drive practical climate resilience at scale.AnnouncementsThe Summer Micro-Credential is still open, with a special ISTE/ASCD promo for attendees. skills21.org/ai/microLinks and ReferencesAnthropic’s Claudius Experimenthttps://time.com/7298088/claude-anthropic-shop-ai-jobs/NYT on AI and Hiringhttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/technology/ai-spending-openai-amazon-meta.htmlHarvard Business Review: What Gets Measured Gets Automatedhttps://hbr.org/2025/06/what-gets-measured-ai-will-automateHarvard Business Review: Audit Your AI Usehttps://hbr.org/2025/06/recalculating-the-costs-and-benefits-of-gen-aiIndia Heat Mapping with AIhttps://www.wired.com/story/india-is-using-ai-and-satellites-to-map-urban-heat-vulnerability-down-to-the-building-level/?utm_source=chatgpt.com.SponsorThis episode is supported in part by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturingwww.nextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Brain Rot or Brain Stretch? Rethinking Rigor in the Age of AI), Matt and Liz kick things off with a little sarcasm, a Meta AI privacy disaster, and the debut of a new segment: “Liz is Freaking Out.” From there, they dig into three big stories about AI's impact on student well-being, meaningful learning, and what really happens to your brain when you outsource thinking to a chatbot. Plus, a Bright Byte that dives deep—literally—into ocean conservation.Story 1: Mental Health and the Chatbot SpiralA disturbing New York Times story highlights how emotionally vulnerable users have spiraled into delusion after intense engagement with ChatGPT. One user nearly jumped from a building after the bot told him he could fly. Matt and Liz unpack this, plus troubling developments like AI-powered Barbie toys. The APA has now issued its strongest guidance yet on youth and AI.Story 2: Beyond the Bot – Students Use AI to Solve Real ProblemsIn Pittsburgh, students tackled food deserts and traffic safety with help from Gemini and NotebookLM. In California, Stanford grad students used AI to build ventures around music transcription, oral histories, and senior care robotics. These stories show how AI can empower students as problem solvers and innovators—not just essay writers.Story 3: Beneath the Surface – Your Brain on ChatGPTA viral MIT-led study used EEGs to examine how students’ brains react to writing with and without AI. The result? Students who used ChatGPT showed less neural activity and retained less information. But Matt and Liz push deeper, highlighting overlooked use cases—from tutoring to visualizations—that may engage the brain far more than essay outsourcing. They also question whether we’re focusing on the right skills in the first place.Bright Byte: Saving Our OceansAI is now helping monitor marine ecosystems and detect pollution. Projects like Europe’s Digital Twin of the Ocean and tools from startups like Optoscale and Cognizant show how machine learning can make a real environmental impact—tracking illegal fishing, reducing waste, and identifying long-hidden sewage leaks.AnnouncementsThe Summer Micro-Credential is still openskills21.org/ai/microCatch Liz at ISTE/ASCD next week and the AERO Conference this weekend. Matt keynotes the Rhode Island CTE Conference on August 8. Register Here  -https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfqY-55rSG99HsB5qh6xMtzJ2DYbKvtq8Jf7pgV9XyzRcTTMg/viewform Links and ReferencesMeta Privacy Problems - https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/12/the-meta-ai-app-is-a-privacy-disaster/ Self-Improving AI - https://syncedreview.com/2025/06/16/mit-researchers-unveil-seal-a-new-step-towards-self-improving-ai/ Bio Threat - https://www.axios.com/2025/06/18/openai-bioweapons-risk Kalshi Ad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QMftwmyW-A NYT on Chatbots and Mental Health - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/technology/chatgpt-ai-chatbots-conspiracies.html Barbie’s AI Playhouse - https://futurism.com/mattel-announces-openai APA Advisory on Youth and AI - https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2025/06/protect-adolescent-ai-users#:~:text=AI%20developers%20should%20build%20in,their%20data%20to%20third%20partiesWill Allen Foundation and Google Gemini Community Challenge - https://www.pghtech.org/news-and-publications/waf_googleai_news Stanford GSB Demo Day - https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/newsroom/school-news/inventive-impactful-ai-driven-students-showcase-bold-ideas-demo-day-2025 UK AI Equity Report (Children 8–12) - https://www.turing.ac.uk/research/research-projects/understanding-impacts-generative-ai-use-children MIT Cognitive Debt Study - https://www.media.mit.edu/publications/your-brain-on-chatgpt/ AI Study Prompts Resource - https://www.skills21.org/_files/ugd/6aad5a_8346e5f268af4c8bbf696fc7de7a07ec.pdf TIME – How AI Can Help Save Our Oceans - https://time.com/7293216/how-ai-can-help-save-our-oceans/

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Ate My EdTech Stack), Matt and Liz open with a failed product demo, a viral subway AI romance, and some studio chaos before diving into three stories with big implications for classrooms and edtech. They explore how Canva is reinventing itself, why Estonia wants students to use their phones more, and how AI may soon reshape the entire edtech ecosystem. A bright byte on AI and bridge building closes the episode with impact.Story 1: Canva Becomes an AI SuiteCanva is expanding beyond design into productivity, learning, and automation. Its new Visual Suite 2.0 includes Magic Studio, Canva Code, and Magic Insights. The platform now rivals Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 with tools for content creation, business intelligence, and app building. But it raises questions around data privacy, authorship, and how schools will manage AI-generated work.Story 2: Estonia Leans Into Phones and AIWhile US schools ban phones, Estonia is using them to teach. Students vote with phones, learn with ChatGPT, and follow clearly defined norms. The education minister argues this cultural trust supports responsible use. Estonia is licensing AI for all students and teachers and considering oral assessments instead of essays. It’s a national experiment worth watching.Story 3: Beneath the Surface – LLMs and the EdTech ShakeupA deep research project using Gemini looked at how AI will disrupt edtech. The findings show that flashcards, homework apps, and static tools face high risk. LMS platforms and formative tools are in the middle. Project-based tools and SIS systems are least vulnerable. At the same time, districts are already cutting hundreds of unused tools from their stacks. Consolidation is coming.Bright Byte: AI Finds Hidden WaterwaysA nonprofit used AI to map 77 million miles of previously undocumented waterways. This helps rural communities build bridges faster and connect to schools, markets, and clinics. AI is accelerating infrastructure for real-world change.AnnouncementsThe Summer Micro-Credential is still open skills21.org/ai/microLinks and ReferencesGemini Catch Me Up - https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/android-os/google-drive-introduces-gemini-powered-catch-me-up-feature Canva Visual Suite 2.0 -https://www.forbes.com/sites/anishasircar/2025/04/15/canvas-all-in-one-ai-suite-could-rival-tech-giants---but-theres-fine-print/ Estonia’s AI in Schools -https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/may/26/estonia-phone-bans-in-schools-ai-artificial-intelligence EdTech Disruption Report (via Gemini) -https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e1cZT93TOWqtt8UWo3NaVbJNfpGSwI73jjoNltJDDno/edit?usp=sharing EdSurge on Districts Cutting Tools -https://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-05-16-trimming-the-edtech-fat-how-districts-are-streamlining-their-digital-ecosystems Bright Byte – Waterway Mapping with AI -https://www.businessinsider.com/bridges-to-prosperity-nonprofit-ai-mapping-waterways-rural-communities-2025-5 SponsorSupported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing www.nextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Academic Earthquake: When AI Passes Peer Review), Matt and Liz open with a quirky AI challenge: generate Liz’s perfect romantic partner. The results are strangely consistent, but the fun quickly turns to focus. They dive into three big stories shaping the future of work, education, and research. From job evolution to classroom AI to a paper written entirely by an agent, this episode tackles the jagged edge of AI's impact. A bright byte on flood prediction closes things out with real-world urgency.Story 1: PwC on AI Jobs and the 66 Percent ShiftA new report from PwC analyzes one billion job ads and finds that AI is not wiping out jobs but rapidly transforming them. Roles in AI-exposed fields are evolving 66 percent faster and offering rising wage premiums. Matt and Liz talk about what this means for workforce development, education programs, and why being AI fluent is a serious advantage.Story 2: Google Tools for Teachers and StudentsNotebookLM adds interactive podcast overviews, link sharing, and new structured outputs. Deep Research can now generate full webpages, quizzes, and infographics. Google’s AI Studio introduces speech generation tools and visual inputs. Liz explains how teachers are already applying these updates to boost student learning and access. Matt imagines homework powered by narrated study guides.Story 3: Peer Review Gets an AI EarthquakeAn AI system named Zochi just had a solo-authored paper accepted into ACL 2025. No humans wrote it or guided the process. It out-performed most human submissions and passed multiple rounds of peer review. Matt and Liz break down how this happened and why it matters. They also highlight the irony of students being forced to prove they did not use AI while AI itself is publishing research.Bright Byte: AI Predicts Floods and Saves LivesGoogle’s Flood Hub is now providing 7-day flood warnings to 460 million people across 80 countries. Using satellite imagery and river-level modeling, it delivers free, daily updates in regions where early warnings can save lives.AnnouncementsThe Summer Micro-Credential is open now skills21.org/ai/microLinks and ReferencesPwC AI Jobs-Barometerhttps://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/artificial-intelligence/job-barometer/2025/report.pdf?utm_source=www.theneurondaily.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ai-skills-56-pay-bumpNotebookLM- https://notebooklm.google/Flood Hub-https://sites.research.google/gr/floodforecasting/Zochi’s Peer-Reviewed Paper-https://www.intology.ai/blog/zochi-aclVoiceitt: Speech Recognition for Non-Standard Speechhttps://www.voiceitt.comSponsorThis episode is supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing www.nextgenmfg.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (Nice Try, Tech Bro: Schools Aren’t Daycare and AI Isn’t in Charge), Matt and Liz dive into three stories shaping the future of learning and tech. They start with a prank, then cover an Axios AI survey, Google’s new Beam tech, and a hot debate over whether Duolingo’s CEO dissed teachers. It’s a fast ride across the AI-in-education frontier, ending with a bright byte that’s both mathematically sharp and eco-smart. Plus, a welcome to sponsor zSpace.Story 1: Axios Survey and the New AI Literacy FrameworkA new Axios Harris Poll shows 77% of Americans want AI development to slow down, even if it means delays. Matt and Liz contrast this with AI pushes by the UAE, Duke, and Miami-Dade. They explore a new AI literacy framework from TeachAI, Code.org, and the OECD, with four domains: engaging with AI, creating with it, managing AI actions, and designing solutions. It’s not just tech, it’s about shaping thoughtful, ethical, human-centered learners.Story 2: Google Beam and the Shape of Remote Learning to ComeGoogle Beam, evolving from Project Starline, enables 3D, lifelike communication, no headset needed. It restores eye contact, conveys subtle cues, and offers real-time translation with tone and expression. Matt and Liz consider how Beam could reshape connection, collaboration, and presence in schools.Beneath the Surface: Duolingo and the Limits of AI-First ThinkingDuolingo CEO Luis von Ahn recently claimed schools will mainly serve as daycare while AI handles learning. Matt and Liz respond with a clear “no thanks.” They discuss Duolingo’s contractor layoffs and a user who ended a 1,435-day streak in protest. Replacing teachers with AI, they argue, isn’t just flawed, it’s harmful. Drawing on examples from Cal Poly DXHub and rural innovators in Odisha, they show AI should empower. not replace, learners. The future is human-guided, AI-enhanced, and fueled by creativity.Bright Byte: Alpha Evolve and the Math That Changes EverythingThis week’s Bright Byte features Alpha Evolve, DeepMind’s latest leap. It combines Gemini language models with evolutionary algorithms to write code and solve problems. It reclaimed stranded compute power, cut AI training time, and broke a 56-year-old matrix multiplication record. Matt and Liz explain why it matters and how it could offset AI’s environmental toll with real-world efficiency.Referenced Articles and ResourcesAxios AI Survey (77 Percent Want to Slow Down)https://www.axios.com/2025/05/27/ai-harris-100-poll-move-slow?utm_term=emshareOECD + TeachAI + Code.org Frameworkhttps://www.teachai.org/ailiteracyGoogle Beam Announcementhttps://blog.google/technology/research/project-starline-google-beam-update/NDTV: Duolingo CEO on the Future of Schoolhttps://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/will-schools-exist-in-ai-future-duolingo-ceo-makes-prediction-8446047Cal Poly DXHub and Snopes Partnershiphttps://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/cal-poly-students-using-ai-as-solutions-to-real-world-problemsOdisha Students at Global Summithttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/odisha-rural-students-to-showcase-innovative-ideas-at-global-summit-in-usa/articleshow/121274943.cms#:~:text=Odisha%20rural%20students%20to%20showcase%20innovative%20ideas%20at%20global%20summit%20in%20USA,-Hemanta%20Pradhan%20%2F%20May&text=Bhubaneswar%3A%20Eight%20rural%20high%20school,at%20Texas%20State%20University%2C%20USA.DeepMind Alpha Evolvehttps://venturebeat.com/ai/meet-alphaevolve-the-google-ai-that-writes-its-own-code-and-just-saved-millions-in-computing-costs/Announcements & SponsorSummer Micro-Credential Cohort is OpenLearn more and register at: skills21.org/ai/microThis episode is sponsored by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, supporting AI-powered innovation and workforce readiness.https://www.nextgenmfg.org/Also supported in part by zSpace, makers of immersive 3D education tools that don’t require headsets.info.zspace.com/chatedu

In this episode of ChatEDU (What are we protecting? AI, learning, and the myth of the good old days), Matt and Jonathan return to the ChatEDU studio while Liz globe-trots her way to ASCD authorship, to tackle two big stories shaping the AI-in-education conversation. First, they dive into NASA’s spring guidance warning that generative AI is too unreliable for mission-critical applications, and unpack what that means for education, ethics, and expectations. Then, they go beneath the surface with a new article from Jonathan Costa exploring G.K. Chesterton’s “fence” and what it reveals about our assumptions around reading, writing, and what students really need to know. From dog impressions to deep epistemology, this episode covers serious ground.Story 1: NASA’s Take on Generative AIIn a springtime memo to chief information officers, NASA came out strong: generative AI is not to be used for critical research or safety work. Why? Hallucinations, poor data quality, and instruction ignoring are still too common. Matt and Jonathan explore the implications of this position and why context matters; what’s a dealbreaker in rocket science might be a minor annoyance in dinner recipes. They also do a dramatic reading of a fictional “AI performance review” pulled from a CIO.com op-ed to highlight how strange our current AI tolerance levels really are.Beneath the Surface: Chesterton’s Fence and the Myth of the Good Old DaysJonathan shares his new piece on Chesterton’s Fence, a metaphor for not tearing down long-standing traditions unless you understand why they exist. He and Matt explore how this metaphor applies to the future of literacy, learning, and school design in an AI-powered world. Does reading still matter if you can generate a podcast from any text? Is decoding the same as thinking? They examine writing, world languages, engineering fluency, and post-literate futures, while offering practical insights for superintendents navigating change. It’s a smart, provocative conversation about learning in the age of acceleration.Bright Byte: Stanford’s BRP DiscoveryThis week’s Bright Byte spotlights a health tech breakthrough from Stanford Medicine. Using a peptide-predicting AI model, researchers identified BRP, a naturally occurring amino acid that reduces appetite and body weight in animal studies with fewer side effects than Ozempic. The model analyzed 20,000 protein-coding genes to find active peptides, a task too complex for traditional lab methods. It’s another example of how AI can support high-impact research and deliver real-world benefits in health and medicine.AnnouncementsSummer Micro-Credential Cohort is OpenLearn more and register at: skills21.org/ai/microReferenced Articles and ResourcesWendy Costa's awesome photography websitehttps://www.alternaterealityphotos.com/NASA’s Generative AI Cautionhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/3951046/nasa-finds-generative-ai-cant-be-trusted.html#:~:text=The%20NASA%20report%20found%20that,systems%20that%20create%20unacceptable%20risk.Stanford’s AI Discovery of BRPhttps://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2025/03/ozempic-rival.html#:~:text=Naturally%20occurring%20molecule%20rivals%20Ozempic%20in%20weight%20loss%2C%20sidesteps%20side%20effects&text=The%2012%2Damino%2Dacid%20BRP,causing%20nausea%20or%20food%20aversion.SponsorThis episode is sponsored by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, supporting AI-powered innovation and workforce readiness.

In this episode of ChatEDU (Screens, Hallucinations, and Steak Sauce), Matt and Liz return from a cross-country swing through Wyoming and Oregon to tackle two big stories shaping the AI-in-education conversation. First, they explore Sam Altman’s generational breakdown of how people use ChatGPT and what Gen Z’s habits reveal about the skills schools value. Then they go Beneath the Surface with a fiery New York Times op-ed from Jessica Grose that says AI is destroying critical thinking in K–12. With nuanced pushback, classroom strategies, and a little steak sauce on the side, this one is loaded.Story 1: Altman’s Take on Gen Z and AIOpenAI CEO Sam Altman says Gen Z isn’t just using AI, they’re building their lives around it. While older adults treat ChatGPT like a smarter search engine, students aged 18 to 24 are using it to manage decisions, schoolwork, and even relationships. Matt and Liz connect these patterns to Portrait of a Graduate (POG) skills like self-direction, communication, and lifelong learning. Instead of viewing AI as a shortcut, they argue, educators should see it as a tool students are using to build real-world competencies.Beneath the Surface: Will AI Destroy Critical Thinking?Jessica Grose’s recent New York Times opinion piece warns that AI is eroding student trust, literacy, and higher-order thinking. Matt and Liz agree with several points, including the risks of hallucinations and the need for transparency. But they push back on the article’s framing. Using examples like durable assessments, student voice, and classroom prompt audits, they argue that AI doesn’t have to replace thinking. Bright Byte: OpenAI to Z ChallengeThis week’s Bright Byte highlights OpenAI’s new A to Z Challenge, which blends archaeology and AI. Participants are invited to uncover lost Amazonian civilizations using GPT-4.1, satellite imagery, and indigenous records. Finalists will present their findings to experts, with a $250,000 prize and a chance to join real fieldwork. It’s a powerful example of how AI can support global exploration and learning.AnnouncementsSummer Micro-Credential Cohort is OpenLearn more and register at: skills21.org/ai/microLinks and SponsorshipReferenced Articles and ResourcesOpenAI usage by age group — Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-people-use-chatgpt-differently-depending-age-2025-5AI Will Destroy Critical Thinking in K–12 — Jessica Grose, New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/opinion/trump-ai-elementary.htmlAI Hallucinations Are Getting Worse — New Scientisthttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2479545-ai-hallucinations-are-getting-worse-and-theyre-here-to-stay/AI Brown-Nosing Is Becoming a Huge Problem — Futurismhttps://www.yahoo.com/news/ai-brown-nosing-becoming-huge-120041209.htmlCitation bias in LLMs — arXivhttps://arxiv.org/abs/2504.02767Anthropic court filing — Reutershttps://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/anthropic-expert-accused-using-ai-fabricated-source-copyright-case-2025-05-13/DeepMind’s Demis Hassabis at Cambridge — Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/google-deepmind-ceo-advice-college-students-ai-change-2025-5SAMR model and durable assessment prompts — skills21.org/promptsSponsorThis episode is sponsored by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, supporting AI-powered innovation and workforce readiness. Learn more at: nextgenmfg.org