Why AI Literacy Alone Isn’t Enough and What We Can Do About It with Katy Knight of Siegel Family Endowment & Dr. Allison Scott of Kapor Foundation

5 snips

Aug 4, 2025

Katy Knight, the President of the Siegel Family Endowment, and Dr. Allison Scott, CEO of the Kapor Foundation, dive into the complexities of AI literacy and its limitations. They emphasize the need for deeper skills beyond just coding, highlighting systemic barriers to equitable computer science education. The pair also advocate for a radical rethink of K-12 education, suggesting computer science could replace traditional math. Their insights on philanthropy's role in modernizing education reveal practical solutions for a technology-driven future.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

AI Literacy Is Not Enough

AI literacy alone isn't enough; students need deeper computer science skills.
True access means creating educational pathways for diverse AI and computing careers.

INSIGHT

CS Education Is Broader Than Coding

Computer science education has grown but remains inequitable.
Coding is only part of CS; computational thinking and algorithms are vital.

INSIGHT

Systems Change Needed for CS

Systemic change in education is needed to properly integrate computer science.
Collaboration with broader education initiatives like project-based learning is essential.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Send us a text

Katy Knight is President and Executive Director of Siegel Family Endowment, where she leads bold, systems-focused philanthropy at the intersection of technology and society. Since 2017, she has advanced equity, flexible funding, and inquiry-driven grantmaking grounded in the scientific method, and centered on reframing big questions and learning alongside grant investments.

Dr. Allison Scott is CEO of the Kapor Foundation, leading work at the intersection of racial justice and technology. She drives research, programs, and advocacy to expand equity in tech and entrepreneurship. A national PI on major CS equity grants, she also co-leads CSforCA, advancing access to K-12 computer science across California.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why AI literacy isn’t enough for future-ready students
Coding vs. computer science vs. computational thinking
How philanthropy can modernize education
The surprising role of “unsexy tech” in schools
Real paths to public-private collaboration in edtech

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:04:40] Allison Scott on AI and tech equity
[00:06:39] Katy Knight on Siegel’s AI readiness
[00:11:06] Barriers to equitable CS education
[00:14:15] Rethinking school systems for CS reform
[00:25:46] Tech overload fears for kids
[00:30:52] Philanthropy’s bet on public interest tech
[00:51:49] Why backend tech matters in schools
[00:52:46] The risk of ed workforce disruption

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

Follow our Podcast on:
Sign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.
Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

As a tech-first company, Tuck Advisors has developed a suite of proprietary tools to serve its clients better. Tuck was the first firm in the world to launch a custom GPT around M&A.

If you haven’t already, try our proprietary M&A Analyzer, which assesses fit between your company and a specific buyer.

To explore this free tool and the rest of our technology, visit tuckadvisors.com.