Artificial Intelligence and You 291 - Guest: Jeff Riley, Former Commissioner of Education, part 2
Jan 12, 2026
In this thought-provoking discussion, Jeff Riley, the former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education and founder of Day of AI, emphasizes the urgent need for responsible AI education in K–12 schools. He shares insights on balancing AI usage with traditional learning and highlights the importance of critical thinking. Jeff also delves into the challenges of integrating AI into crowded curricula and the varying AI competencies among teachers. Additionally, he envisions a future where AI personalizes education while ensuring safety and equity for all students.
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Family Test Drive With ChatGPT
- Jeff set up his two children with ChatGPT and monitored their questions through a shared paid account.
- He observed they learned to engage but also that the tool sometimes gives wrong answers.
Gatekeep AI With Foundational Skills
- Require students to build a knowledge base before fully relying on AI tools in learning.
- Make students prove reading, writing, thinking, and collaboration skills before offloading cognitive tasks to AI.
AI Can Atrophy Critical Skills
- Offloading cognitive tasks to AI can erode students' underlying skills and judgment.
- Without a knowledge base, students cannot reliably question or detect bad AI answers.
