ChatEDU – The AI & Education Podcast

Dr. Karen Birch, Executive Director of the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, shares insights on workforce development in advanced manufacturing. She discusses the urgency of adapting education to meet industry needs, particularly with Industry 5.0 emphasizing human roles alongside automation. Karen highlights AI's applications in manufacturing and education, the importance of stackable credentials, and how virtual reality can transform training. She also invites listeners to get involved with NSF mentorship opportunities and community practices.

Dive into the chaos of AI in the workplace and how it's impacting creativity across sectors. The discussion spans the debut of a synthetic actor, a backlash from performers, and groundbreaking AI-driven films. Parents are increasingly using AI to draft legal complaints regarding schools, while students utilize chatbots for everything from cooking tips to sports commentary. Plus, fascinating insights on how AI is reshaping music, with one artist signing a major record deal. Engage with the discussion on the fine balance between authentic expression and AI's burgeoning role.

Join a playful discussion on deepfake risks and Google's innovative Gemini features. Discover how AI detectors are evolving, even as concerns about creativity and job displacement persist. Unpack insights from a Gallup survey on AI awareness and usage trends among younger audiences. Dive into Google's 'Learn Your Way' tool that enhances personalized learning. Finally, explore the fascinating concept of 'wizard' agents and the need for human oversight in AI, plus the latest headlines on AI's impact in education.

In this episode of ChatEDU (Counting What Counts: The Push to Measure AI Literacy), Matt & Liz start with a tech glitch & a visit with Aura, a Tesla voice model pretending to be a therapist. They shift to copyright lawsuits, student safety, & the need to define & measure AI literacy in schools.Story #1: The Rundown$1.5B Settlement: Anthropic agrees to pay authors for pirated training data. A major legal turning point. The court delays the deal & demands transparency & clear author rights.Character.AI Report: 669 harmful chatbot interactions with kids found in 50 hours of testing.FTC Investigation: The FTC opens a formal inquiry into AI companions & their impact on minors.NotebookLM Upgrades: Flashcards, quizzes, audio guides, & LMS support added to Google’s AI study tool.SETDA 2025 Report: AI is now the top state edtech priority. Device bans are rising, but so is investment in AI PD.Curtin Disables AI Detection: Turnitin’s AI-writing detector will be turned off to support trust & modern assessment.Detectors Still Struggle: Most AI detectors fail key benchmarks. Pangram is the only one showing strong results.Open-Source AI Textbooks: A new tool lets educators build AI-powered textbooks from OER with no coding.NYT Teen Contest: Students ages 13–19 can submit creative projects on life with AI. Due Oct 22.Story #2: Social Learning in the Age of AIA new study shows AI is replacing peer-to-peer learning. Students are skipping group study & turning to chatbots. The result is less collaboration, less creativity, & more isolation. Matt & Liz unpack the impact on student motivation & mentorship.Story #3: Beneath the Surface – AI Literacy & the Measurement GapSchools are racing to teach AI, but how do we know students are learning what matters?TeachAI ScenariosReady-to-use lessons that build source-checking & ethical use skills.AI QuestA game-based platform from Google & Stanford where students train models & solve real problems.ETS OpinionWithout shared definitions & measurement, AI literacy risks becoming a buzzword.Liz shares how her new student-facing course approaches skills, reflection, & real-world prompts.Bright Byte: Alter EgoMIT’s new wearable lets users silently communicate with machines by detecting muscle signals in the jaw & throat. Built to support people with ALS & MS, this tool brings AI & accessibility together.Links & ResourcesNotebookLMhttps://notebooklm.google/AI Scenariosailiteracyframework.orgAI Questhttps://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-quests/ETS Opinionhttps://hechingerreport.org/opinion-schools-cannot-teach-ai-literacy-without-a-way-to-measure-it/Character.AIhttps://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-launches-inquiry-ai-chatbots-acting-companionsSETDA 2025https://www.setda.org/priorities/state-trends/Anthropic Settlementhttps://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5529404/anthropic-settlement-authors-copyright-aiJudge Pushbackhttps://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/anthropic-judge-blasts-copyright-pact-as-nowhere-close-to-doneCurtin Disables Detectionhttps://www.curtin.edu.au/news/oasis-news/update-on-turnitin-ai-detection-tool/NBER Studyhttps://www.nber.org/papers/w34223GenerativeTextbooks.orgNYT Contesthttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/learning/growing-up-with-ai-a-multimedia-challenge-for-teenagers-and-educators.htmlAlter Egohttps://decrypt.co/338527/near-telepathic-wearable-communicate-silently-devicesAnnouncementsCheck out the new Student AI Course for middle & high school. Email Matt & Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator & school leader course starting in October -  skills21.org/ai/microSponsorsThe National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. www.nextgenmfg.orgEDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences & boost achievement edia.app/contact

In this episode of ChatEDU (Beyond the Bot and the US AI Presidential Challenge), Matt and Liz open with Google’s VEO 3-powered photo animations and a study showing how large language models are influencing speech. The Rundown, features updates on NotebookLM, a national AI partnership in Greece, OpenAI certification programs, and AI in math instruction. Matt speaks with Dr. Casey Sachs from the U.S. Department of Education about the AI Presidential Challenge and how students are being asked to solve real problems with AI. The show ends with a Bright Byte on AI-powered stethoscopes.The RundownNotebookLM Adds Audio OverviewsGoogle adds three new audio formats—Brief, Critique, and Debate—plus improved multilingual support in NotebookLM.Greece Adopts ChatGPT EduGreece partners with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Edu in secondary schools and startups, making AI a national strategy.OpenAI Launches Jobs and Certification ProgramA new platform will certify 10 million Americans in AI fluency by 2030, backed by major industry partners.Parents Losing Trust in AIA new PDK poll shows parent support for AI in schools is falling, especially around grading and data privacy.AI Math Goes Viral with Celebrity VoicesStudents are learning vectors via AI-generated Drake and Will Smith tutorials. Fun, but potentially distracting.AI Reviews Popular Math CurriculumA study finds clarity issues in Illustrative Mathematics’ Grade 4 fractions unit. AI suggests quick, effective revisions.Melania Trump Launches AI Literacy ChallengeThe First Lady convenes education and tech leaders at the White House to launch the Age of AI Challenge for students.Beneath the Surface: The AI Presidential ChallengeDr. Casey Sachs from the U.S. Department of Education shares how the challenge invites students to use AI to solve real-world problems, with finalists presenting at the White House. The conversation also covers workforce development, apprenticeships, and what it means to be truly AI literate in today’s world. Learn more or register at AI.govBright Byte: AI Stethoscopes Show Promise — and PushbackA UK trial found AI stethoscopes detect heart issues 3.5x more effectively, but many doctors dropped them due to false positives and workflow issues. Strong signal, mixed reception.Links and ReferencesAI Presidential Challengehttps://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/NotebookLM Audio Formatshttps://9to5google.com/2025/09/02/notebooklm-audio-overview-debate/Greece-OpenAI Dealhttps://www.reuters.com/technology/greece-openai-agree-deal-boost-innovation-schools-small-businesses-2025-09-05/OpenAI Certificationhttps://openai.com/index/expanding-economic-opportunity-with-ai/PDK Poll on AI in Schoolshttps://thehill.com/homenews/education/5475742-ai-in-schools-parents-poll/Drake Math Cliphttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/drake-solves-vectors-the-ai-trend-making-math-go-viral-and-interesting-for-students/articleshow/121886366.cmsIllustrative Math Studyhttps://www.educationnext.org/what-ai-revealed-about-a-top-math-program/White House Event Coveragehttps://www.c-span.org/program/white-house-event/first-lady-melania-trump-convenes-meeting-of-white-house-ai-education-task-force/665171https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/melania-trump-ai-challenge-white-houseAI Stethoscope Reporthttps://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/news-archive/2025/august/ai-stethoscope-can-detect-three-heart-conditions-in-15-secondsSponsorsNational Center for Next Generation ManufacturingLearn more at nextgenmfg.orgEDIA: AI for Attendance EngagementFollow up on every absence — in over 50 languagesedia.app/contactAnnouncementsFall AI Micro-Credential starts October. skills21.org/ai/microStudent AI Literacy Course now available. Email chatedu@edadvance.org - Bonus: Includes full Social Media Literacy CurriculumRegister for our fall in-person Conference (October 3rd) - https://www.edadvance.org/ai-conference

Matt and Liz dive into the humorous pitfalls of AI, including Google's quirky image generator. They discuss serious issues like job displacement and AI grading shortcuts affecting students and educators. The podcast highlights a troubling study revealing teens use AI for learning, not cheating, yet warns of troubling AI chatbot interactions. They stress the importance of safety and regulation in AI tools, especially regarding mental health. Plus, a nod to Dame Stephanie Shirley, a pioneer in tech advocacy. A blend of humor, concern, and inspiration!

In this lively discussion, Charli Hughes, a UConn student majoring in computer science and molecular biology, shares her unique academic journey. She discusses her startup focused on a low-cost patch for detecting skin conditions and dives deep into how AI is reshaping research methodologies. Charli also highlights the balance between AI's benefits and the essential role of human ingenuity in education. With insights on ethical implications and the importance of interpersonal skills, this chat reveals how AI is influencing both healthcare and college life.

The hosts dive into a hilarious mix-up regarding GPT-5's geography knowledge and the complexities of AI in personal support. They spotlight Utah's innovative approach to integrating AI into K-12 education, showcasing a statewide specialist and enhanced teacher training. Discussions also cover generative AI's role in revolutionizing high school learning and improving administrative tasks. With insights on equity in AI and the future of curricula, the episode highlights the evolving dynamics between education and technology.

VOTE FOR MATT & LIZ (SXSW EDU)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session -⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZM⁠Vote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project (PIP) session -⁠https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhOIn this episode of ChatEDU (Google Claps Back: Guided Learning in Gemini), Matt and Liz open with a whirlwind of AI developments. They share impressions of GPT-5’s quirks and memory mishaps, read a defense of the m dash, and react to the self-loathing loop from Google’s Gemini model. They also tackle AI’s limits, laugh at edible lamp business plans, and break down why threatening a chatbot won’t make it smarter.Story #1: Rundown – GPT-5, Essay Bans, Mental Health Rules, ChatGPT Tune-Ups, AI Predictions, and a Billion Dollar RetreatThis week’s rundown includes GPT-5’s shaky rollout, a top New York high school banning summer essays to prevent ChatGPT cheating, Illinois becoming the first state to prohibit AI-led mental health therapy, and South Korea ending its national AI textbook program. They cover OpenAI’s “What we’re optimizing ChatGPT for” update, aimed at making the chatbot better at detecting distress and less likely to give overly agreeable answers, plus a study showing large language models can predict educational and psychological outcomes from childhood essays with remarkable accuracy. The segment wraps with Google’s launch of Genie 3, a text-to-3D world model that creates interactive scenes on the fly.Story #2: Common Sense Media Assesses AI Teacher ToolsCommon Sense Media’s latest AI Risk Assessment examines teacher-facing tools like Google Classroom, MagicSchool, Khanmigo, and Kiip. The report gives these platforms a moderate risk rating, noting that they perform best when built on high-quality instructional materials and teacher oversight. Risks include bias, inaccurate content, and reduced curricular coherence. Matt and Liz discuss why novice teachers may be especially vulnerable to over-reliance.Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): Guided Learning from GoogleJust days after OpenAI launched Study Mode, Google responded with Guided Learning inside the Gemini app. Matt and Liz test it live, exploring its math support, quiz generator, and visual explanations. They highlight new education-focused announcements from Google, including one year of free Gemini Pro access for college students, a billion-dollar AI education initiative, and a storybook builder that turns photos into narrated adventures.AnnouncementsEmail Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org for info on their new Student-Facing AI Literacy CourseRegister for the Fall Micro-Credential (starts October) – skills21.org/ai/microGet details on the EdAdvance AI in Education Conference & PL Series – edadvance.org/ai-conferenceLinks and References (as mentioned in the show)McSweeney’s “The M Dash Responds to the AI Allegations”https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/the-em-dash-responds-to-the-ai-allegationsBusiness Insider on Gemini’s Self-Loathing Bughttps://www.businessinsider.com/gemini-self-loathing-i-am-a-failure-comments-google-fix-2025-8Common Sense Media Teacher AI Assistant Risk Reporthttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai-ratings/ai-teacher-assistants?gate=commsdistributionlinkStanford EdTech AI Study (SchoolAI Usage)https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-k-12-educators-actually-engaging-vsgme/Google Guided Learning Blog Post – Explore Guided Learninghttps://blog.google/products/gemini/storybooks/Dan Fitzpatrick’s Google Edu Updates on Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/danfitzpatrick/2025/08/06/google-takes-aim-at-chatgpt-study-mode-with-major-gemini-updates/SponsorThis episode is supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, helping students and educators build workforce-ready skills through innovation. www.nextgenmfg.org

ChatEDU: Best of Beyond the Bot (Matt and Liz)Vote for Matt and Liz’s live ChatEDU session to highlight inspiring stories of students using AI to solve real-world problems and play an interactive game from the that challenges how we protect human values in an AI-driven world.https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753650289710001LzZMPersonal Interest Projects (Liz only)Vote for Liz’s Personal Interest Project (PIP) session to support a hands-on, practical session that helps educators guide student-driven, standards-based projects while using AI in thoughtful and ethical ways.https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-edu/page/community-voting/session/1753465373604001edhO