Why Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever with Ken Patterson

In this hard-hitting episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Ken Patterson, a former principal turned AI consultant, who pulls no punches on how AI is really being used in schools. Ken saw firsthand how AI transformed a struggling school into a top performer, but the system pushed back hard instead of celebrating.

💡 Here’s what we dive into:
✅ How AI helped Ken’s school thrive—before the system shut it down.
✅ Why so many EdTech companies are misleading teachers about AI.
✅ The truth about "wrapper" AI sites—what they don’t want you to know.
✅ Why teachers should be leading AI adoption, not just tech departments.
✅ The missing piece in AI-driven education that no one is talking about.

Ken doesn’t hold back, and this episode is a must-watch for educators, administrators, and anyone who cares about the future of AI in education.

Timestamps:

00:00 Celebrating 100,000 downloads! Huge thanks to our community. 🎉
01:00 Shoutout to our amazing sponsors! Thank you, Yellowdig and Book Creator, for supporting this mission.
02:00 Meet Ken Patterson—his journey from music teacher to AI-driven principal.
04:00 Turning a failing school into a top performer using AI.
07:00 Why the system wasn’t ready for AI success—and how it pushed back.
10:30 The shady side of EdTech—Ken calls out misleading AI claims.
15:00 Should teachers use AI for instruction or just for admin work?
20:00 The problem with "wrapper" AI sites—what they’re not telling educators.
25:00 How AI can either empower or exploit teachers—depending on transparency.
30:00 Ken’s unfiltered take on the future of AI in education.
40:00 Final thoughts and a challenge to educators everywhere.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!

💡 This episode is powered by Yellowdig and Book Creator—thanks for supporting real conversations in EdTech!

👇 WATCH NOW and join the conversation!
💬 Do you trust AI in education? Why or why not? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🔗 Follow Ken Patterson: LinkedIn
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Bonus: Megan Rapinoe on leveling the playing field