S3|E24 The AI Sputnik Moment: Why AI Literacy is the New "Fourth R" with Jeff Riley of the Day of AI

Is the United States facing a new "Sputnik moment" in education? On this episode of An Educated Guest, Todd Zipper sits down with Jeff Riley, the leader of Day of AI, to discuss the urgent need for AI literacy in our schools.

Jeff, a veteran educator with over three decades of public service, argues that AI is no longer optional—it is the "Fourth R" of education, as fundamental as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the U.S. risks falling behind globally in AI literacy by 2029.
• The "Driver's Ed" analogy: Why we need to teach students how to drive the technology before giving them the keys.
• How AI can finally unlock true differentiation and personalization in the classroom.
• The dangerous "knowledge gap" between what kids are doing with AI companions and what parents actually know.
• Practical advice for parents and educators on navigating this rapid technological shift.

To learn more about the free curriculum and tools discussed, visit the Day of AI website.