Banned or Boosted? AI's Mixed Signals in Education and Work | Ep. 34

In this pre-recorded Thanksgiving episode of ChatEDU (Banned or Boosted? AI's Mixed Signals in Education and Work), Matt and Liz reflect on gratitude, share updates on their AI micro-credential program, and dive into a compelling trifecta of stories that highlight the evolving relationship between generative AI, education, and the workplace.

Getting Started:

• Matt and Liz reconnect after a brief hiatus, reflecting on the podcast’s journey, their collaborative work, and appreciation for their listeners.

• They share personal "thankful" moments related to generative AI:

• Liz appreciates ChatGPT's practical value in productivity and daily tasks.

• Matt highlights ElevenLabs Reader, with a nostalgic twist involving Jerry Garcia reading AI-related content.

The Big Three:

1. Honor Codes and Generative AI at Haverford and Bryn Mawr

• These liberal arts colleges rely on longstanding honor codes to guide responsible AI use without imposing strict policies.

• Students self-schedule exams and adhere to deep trust-based systems, avoiding widespread AI misuse.

• Matt and Liz discuss whether such frameworks could be scaled to larger institutions with more diverse student populations.

2. The Massachusetts AI Lawsuit (please note - this was pre-recorded and Matt/Liz cover the lawsuit update in Episode 35 - December, 6th)

• A Hingham High School student was disciplined for using generative AI to assist with a project, sparking a lawsuit over unclear AI policies.

• Matt and Liz discuss the necessity for nuanced AI guidelines that clearly define appropriate use and emphasize proactive policy creation.

• Insights include EdWeek and Common Sense Media data highlighting gaps in district-level AI policies and parent awareness.

3. Generative AI in Industry (Beneath the Surface)

• A Wharton study reveals skyrocketing generative AI adoption in workplaces, particularly in HR and marketing.

• Businesses struggle with measurable ROI but show promise with tools like real-time translation and custom bots.

• Matt reflects on parallels between schools and businesses, emphasizing adaptable organizational cultures as the key to successful integration.

Referenced Links and Resources:

• Higher Ed Honor Codes - https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2024/10/the-schools-without-chatgpt-plagiarism/680407/ 

• Hingham High School Lawsuit Coverage: https://www.edweek.org/technology/parents-sue-after-school-disciplined-student-for-ai-use-takeaways-for-educators/2024/10 

• Wharton & GBK Study on Gen AI Adoption: https://ai.wharton.upenn.edu/focus-areas/human-technology-interaction/2024-ai-adoption-report/ 

• ElevenLabs Reader App: https://elevenlabs.io/blog/introducing-elevenlabs-reader-app 

• Ethan Mollick's Post - "AI's Impact Long Before Superintelligence": https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/the-present-future-ais-impact-long?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1180644&post_id=151140006 

• Skills21 AI Micro-Credential Details: https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro

Short Stack Chat Back:

• A lighthearted moment featuring AI Charlie Brown reflecting on gratitude, tying into the themes of AI and Thanksgiving.

Announcements:

• A new cohort for their AI in Education Micro-Credential launches in January. Learn more and sign up at https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro