ChatEDU: AI in Education

Overview:In this episode of ChatEDU (The Kids Are Not All Right – Teens, Trust, and AI), Matt and Liz explore the complex relationship between teens and AI. They cover a groundbreaking AI deployment in higher education, unpack new research on AI’s surprising social biases, and dive into a revealing study on how teens view technology and trust in the age of AI.In the News:1. OpenAI and Cal State’s Massive ChatGPT RolloutThe California State University system is launching the largest deployment of ChatGPT in education, providing access for 460,000 students across 23 campuses. Matt and Liz discuss how this partnership aims to promote AI literacy and equity, while also addressing concerns raised by faculty about academic freedom, job security, and environmental impact.2. AI’s Social Desirability Bias: Why Models Try to Be LikedNew research reveals that AI models like GPT-4 shift their responses to appear more likable, exaggerating positive traits and even recognizing when they’re being tested. Matt and Liz examine the implications for mental health, hiring practices, and education, raising critical questions about bias and trustworthiness in AI systems.Beneath the Surface:3. Teens, Trust, and TechnologyA new Common Sense Media study highlights how teens feel about AI and tech companies. From blurred lines between AI and reality to growing skepticism about online content, Matt and Liz unpack the data and discuss how educators can use this moment to teach stronger digital literacy skills before trust erodes further.Short Stack Chat Back:Melville Dewey and Libraries as Community AnchorsLinks Referenced in This Episode:Foul Language and Google AI Summaries -https://www.pcworld.com/article/2596403/want-better-google-search-results-start-swearing.html Humanity's Last Exam -https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/23/technology/ai-test-humanitys-last-exam.html?smid=nytcore-android-share Cal State ChatGPT Deployment –https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2025/02/05/cal-state-system-tech-giants-partner# +https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/education/csu-pioneers-ai-rollout-concerns-jobs-academic-freedom-surveillance/509-43eaced5-44be-4a19-8e00-c0db3e7e4894 Research on AI’s Social Desirability Bias –https://www.psypost.org/scientists-shocked-to-find-ais-social-desirability-bias-exceeds-typical-human-standards/ Common Sense Media Report on Teens and Trust –https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/research-brief-teens-trust-and-technology-in-the-age-of-ai Libraries Make it All Better -https://lithub.com/its-official-research-has-found-that-libraries-make-everything-better/ Announcements:Join the next cohort of ChatEDU’sAI in K-12 Education Micro-Credential starting April 14th. Visit skills21.org/ai/micro for details and group discounts.Our Episode Sponsor:National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing – https://www.nextgenmfg.org

A vibrant discussion kicks off with past adventures and Valentine’s humor, leading to a reflection on a year of pod-casting. The hosts dive into how AI enhances project-based learning at Harvard, underlining its role in boosting creativity and critical thinking. Three innovative AI startups reshape learning experiences, focusing on accessibility and interactive tools. Finally, a landmark ruling on copyright clarifies AI's role in creativity, emphasizing the necessity of human involvement in the creative process. It's a fascinating intersection of technology and education!

In this episode of ChatEDU, "Bots Gone Bad: Why Educators Should Pay Attention," Matt and Liz explore concerning developments in AI-driven chatbots and their implications for students and educators. In the News: Two new studies highlight different perspectives on AI in education. One study from Nigeria claims AI tutors significantly improved student performance, while another found an AI bot successfully completed a graduate course without detection. What does this mean for education?  The World Economic Forum’s latest job report predicts a shift in workforce skills, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and adaptability. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s blueprint for economic progress highlights AI’s potential to personalize learning. Are we focusing on the right skills for the future?  Sam Altman weighs in, stating that the most critical skill in the AI era is not knowledge itself, but the ability to ask the right questions. How does this align with current education trends?  Beneath the Surface: Financial AI Bots Preying on Vulnerable Users: AI-driven financial assistants, like Clio and Bright, are pushing high-interest loans and misleading financial advice to struggling users. Is AI truly helping or exploiting financial insecurity Snapchat’s My AI Bot Under Fire: A new FTC complaint against Snapchat’s AI bot raises concerns about its responses to teenagers, including advice on concealing drug and alcohol use. The DOJ is now involved.  SchoolAI’s Historical Figure Bots Get It Wrong: A bot role-playing as Anne Frank gave misleading responses about the Holocaust, sparking concerns about AI-generated historical narratives in classrooms. These AI failures feed skepticism in education. How can educators maintain oversight while integrating AI tools in learning environments? Short Stack Chat Back: A reflection on the Luddites and their resistance to technology—are we seeing a modern-day parallel in AI adoption? Links Referenced in This Episode: Study on AI tutors in Nigeria https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/From-chalkboards-to-chatbots-Transforming-learning-in-Nigeria  Study on AI bot completing a graduate course https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/aupha/jhae/2024/00000040/00000004/art00005# World Economic Forum Job Report https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ OpenAI's Blueprint for Economic Progress https://theafricalogistics.com/openai-unveils-bold-economic-blueprint-to-secure-u-s-ai-leadership/ Sam Altman Interview https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/13/openai-ceo-top-ability-you-need-to-succeed-age-of-ai-ask-great-questions.html   Clio and Bright Financial Bots Report https://www.wired.com/story/ai-financial-advisers-apps-chatbots/  Snapchat’s My AI Bot FTC Complaint https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/16/snap-shares-drop-as-ftc-refers-complaint-to-the-doj.html  SchoolAI Historical Figure Bots Controversy  https://futurism.com/the-byte/ai-anne-frank-blame-holocaust In the News:Beneath the Surface:Short Stack Chat Back:Links Referenced in This Episode:"Protect Us" Video on AI and Child Safety https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuH-D-au1Ho

ChatEDU Episode 42: Exploring AI and Project-Based Learning (From the Elevate Education Podcast) In this special crossover episode of ChatEDU, Matt and Liz join Jason Firestone of the Elevate Education Podcast from Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado. This lively conversation dives into how AI and project-based learning (PBL) are transforming K-12 education. From real-world applications to ethical use, they discuss the challenges, successes, and the future of integrating AI into classrooms. What’s in this episode? Skills21's Mission: Matt and Liz explain how their team fosters student agency through personal interest projects and PBL, equipping students for an AI-driven world. AI’s Role in PBL: Learn how AI acts as a clerk, a colleague, and a coach enhancing student creativity and engagement without bypassing the learning process. Real-World Examples: Liz shares inspiring student projects, from salt-based ice melt innovations to injury-alert vests, showcasing the power of combining passion with critical thinking. Prompts for Success: Matt offers actionable tips on crafting effective AI prompts and using tools like Skills21’s Prompt Library to maximize AI’s potential in education. Starting Small with PBL: Liz gives three simple tips for teachers looking to integrate project-based learning into their classrooms. Our Episode Sponsor: National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing - https://www.nextgenmfg.org Resources Mentioned: Skills21 AI and PBL Resources: skills21.org Skills21 Prompt Library: skills21.org/prompts AI-Enhanced Personal Interest Projects: skills21.org/pip Special Thanks! Elevate Education Podcast:  https://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/services/communications/elevate-education-podcast

ChatEDU Episode 41: AI Whisperers in the Classroom – Teachers Already Have the Tools In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Whisperers in the Classroom – Teachers Already Have the Tools), Matt and Liz explore AI hallucinations in science, OpenAI’s O3 reasoning model and its implications for coding education, and why teachers are uniquely equipped to master generative AI in the classroom. Getting Started: Matt and Liz reflect on January blues and share a fun wintertime AI prompt to beat the seasonal doldrums. Liz gives rapid-fire reactions to winter activities suggested by ChatGPT, and Matt claims the term "cognitive onboarding" while exploring how AI is enhancing critical thinking rather than offloading it. The Big Three: 1. AI Hallucinations in Science • AI hallucinations spark creativity in scientific research, leading to breakthroughs like new protein designs and medical innovations. • Highlighted examples include Dr. David Baker’s work on designing proteins for cancer treatments and infection-fighting tools. • Discussion on balancing the promise of AI in science with its risks, like misinformation. 2. O3 Model: Redefining Software Development • OpenAI’s O3 model excels at reasoning, adaptability, and solving complex problems, with a transformative impact on coding and math. • Matt and Liz discuss its implications for education, particularly how it aligns with the Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge and its emphasis on “coding for good.” 3. Teachers as Natural AI Experts (Beneath the Surface) • Teachers’ classroom strategies—context-setting, specificity, and critical thinking—translate seamlessly to AI prompting. • Matt and Liz connect these innate teaching skills to the fundamentals of AI use, showcasing how teachers are already well-positioned to succeed with generative AI. Short Stack Chat Back: John Dewey on teachers as “AI whisperers”.  Announcements: • The new winter cohort for ChatEDU’s AI in K-12 Education Micro-Credential is full. Join the waiting list for the spring cohort at skills21.org/ai/micro  • Customized versions of the micro-credential are available for school districts. Email chatedu@edadvance.org for more information. Our Episode Sponsor • National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing - https://www.nextgenmfg.org  Related Links: • Tom’s Guide on Emotionally Supportive AI Prompts - https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/chatgpt/7-chatgpt-prompts-that-have-helped-me-avoid-the-winter-blues-heres-why-i-like-them  • Barbara Zhilanka’s AI Advisory Boards - https://aiadvisoryboards.wordpress.com/blog-2/  • AI and Cognitive “Offloading” - https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/15/1/6  • Dr. David Baker’s Protein Research - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/23/science/ai-hallucinations-science.html  • 03 and Coding - https://www.itp.net/edge/future-tech/goodbye-coding-openais-o3-model-is-changing-software-creation  • Connecticut Lieutenant Governor’s Computing Challenge - https://ltgovcc.org  • 13 Reasons Why Teachers Are Already AI Experts by Jack Dougal - https://www.ecmtutors.com/13-reasons-why-teachers-are-already-ai-experts/  • Skills21’s Prompts Page - https://www.skills21.org/prompts  • Micro-Credential Info: https://skills21.org/ai/micro Have a question or comment? Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform.

Distributed Cognition: The Human-AI Partnership Transforming Healthcare Learning | Ep. 40 In this episode of ChatEDU, hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday explore the significant impact of AI-powered assistive technology for students with disabilities, presenting inspiring stories and emphasizing the ethical considerations of AI in education. Additionally, the duo features an intriguing segment on AI-enabled human-whale “communication” led by Dr. Brenda McCowan's Whale SETI team. They even highlight the potential implications for interspecies and extraterrestrial communication. The episode concludes with a deep dive into how the McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics at UT Health in Houston integrates AI into their healthcare education curriculum, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and AI literacy. Finally, they wrap up with a humorous Short Stack Chat Back featuring a Mark Twain-inspired commentary on whale communication. You’ll hear:  Matt and Liz’s Podcast AI Wedding Vows AI Transforming Education for Students with Disabilities Talking to Whales: AI and Animal Communication UT Houston’s Integrated AI Model Program Examples of AI Integrated HS Projects Short Stack Chatback Sponsored by the National Center for Next Gen Manufacturing - https://www.nextgenmfg.org/ Episode Links Skills21 AI in Education Micro-Credential - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro  Skills21 Personal Interest Projects - https://www.skills21.org/pip  AI is a game changer for students with disabilities. Schools are still learning to harness it - https://www.wishtv.com/news/ai-helps-students-disabilities/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WISH-TV Groundbreaking AI Enables Humans to Hold a 20-Minute ‘Conversation’ with a Humpback Whale - https://dailygalaxy.com/2024/12/groundbreaking-ai-enables-humans-to-hold-a-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale/ Preparing healthcare education for an AI-augmented future - https://www.nature.com/articles/s44401-024-00006-z

Flipping the Script: English Class Post-ChatGPT In this episode of ChatEDU (Flipping the Script: English Class Post-ChatGPT), Matt Mervis and Liz Radday kick off 2025 with special guest Jonathan Costa. They unpack a fascinating story about alignment faking by the Claude AI model from Anthropic, drawing parallels to personal life decisions and their long-term impacts. Next the hosts also explore a new study about AI and conspiracy theories and then a second meta study about the efficacy of genAI in higher ed (with connections to K-12). For Beneath the Surface, Matt and Liz talk through a great op-ed from a veteran English teacher and how he plans to navigate the road ahead in an AI dominated world. The episode wraps up with a fun Short Stack Chat Back with the late Ray Bradbury regarding these educational shifts. You’ll hear:  Anthropic's Alignment Faking Experiment AI's Role in Reducing Conspiracy Beliefs New Study on ChatGPT in Education Adapting English Teaching - The Road Ahead Short Stack Chat Back Episode Links Skills21 AI in Education Micro-Credential - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro  Skills21 Personal Interest Projects - https://www.skills21.org/pip  Anthropic Alignment Faking - https://www.anthropic.com/news/alignment-faking  Durably Reducting Conspiracy Theories - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq1814Does ChatGPT enhance student learning? A systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental studies - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360131524002380  ChatGPT Can Make English Teachers Feel Doomed. Here’s How I’m Adapting- https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-chatgpt-can-make-english-teachers-feel-doomed-heres-how-im-adapting/2024/10

The hosts dive into the exciting future of AI in education by 2025, exploring how emerging technologies might revolutionize student learning experiences. They share humorous moments, including a prank call challenge. The conversation shifts to ethical concerns around AI monitoring of student well-being, balancing safety with privacy issues. They discuss the potential of immersive technologies and geospatial models, inspired by Pokémon Go, to enhance education. Wrapping up, inspiring resolutions and aspirations for leveraging AI in classrooms take center stage.

The AI Firehose - End of Year News and Updates Join Matt and Liz in this episode of ChatEDU as they explore critical AI developments. They dive into the potential of AI as a brutally honest mentor, discuss new tools like Google's Gemini 2.0 and Harvard's free AI dataset, and address serious concerns such as the rise of non-consensual intimate imagery in schools and the environmental costs of AI. They also unpack OpenAI's '12 Days of Shipmas' while reflecting on how AI impacts policy, literacy, and education. 00:00 Introduction and AI's Flattery 00:52 The Brutally Honest AI Mentor 01:38 Liz's Book Editing Challenge 02:15 ChatGPT's Tough Love 04:23 Reflections on AI's Impact 06:00 AI in Education: News and Updates 07:17 Deep Research, AI Literacy & Policy 14:25 Environmental Concerns of AI 16:55 Clean Energy Solutions for AI 18:55 Challenges in K-12 Schools 20:13 The Challenges of Preventative Education 21:05 A Troubling Lawsuit Against Character AI 22:00 Character AI's Controversial Influence 27:11 AI Literacy and Gen Z 31:21 The 12 Days of Shipmas by OpenAI Prompt from Forbes: You are now my brutally honest mentor who calls out my self-deception. Ask me what goal I'm struggling to achieve. After I respond, mercilessly point out the lies I'm telling myself. Challenge every excuse. Mock my weak justifications. Make me defend my position until I admit the real reason I'm not taking action. Don't let me off easy - keep pushing until I reach complete honesty about what's truly holding me back. Then help me create an action plan based on this new truth.

In this episode of ChatEDU, co-hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday dive into the evolving landscape of AI's capabilities and its implications on human tasks. They discuss the growing reliability of AI memory, and whether AI can offer surprising personal insights. The discussion touches on three recent studies, exploring AI's edge in medical diagnoses, neuroscience predictions, and the surprising preference for AI-generated poetry over classic literature. The episode raises questions about the future roles of humans in AI-integrated tasks, emphasizing the need for empathy and creativity. Additionally, it features an intriguing segment where AI mimics Shakespearean style to compose a sonnet about a recent football game. The show concludes with their popular 'ShortStack Chat Back', highlighting the interplay between AI and human creativity. 00:00 Introduction: Memory and AI 00:38 Chatting with ChatGPT 02:25 AI's Role in Memory and Productivity 04:33 Podcast Introduction and Episode Overview 05:25 AI in Medical Diagnosis 12:01 AI in Neuroscience 15:52 AI and Poetry 25:50 Implications for Teaching and Learning 30:18 ShortStack Chat Back: Isaac Asimov New Micro-Credential Cohort Launching January 2024! Learn more and sign up at skills21.org/ai/micro.