"When you can write out your own ideas, explain your thinking, build an argument and use evidence to support it – that's an incredibly valuable skill for kids."

In this week's episode, we spoke with Peter Gault of Quill.org about the evolving relationship between AI and education. Peter shares how Quill transitioned from basic natural language processing (NLP) to sophisticated language models, making a strategic decision to rebuild their platform on generative AI despite having invested years developing their NLP models. The result? A more powerful tool that helps students develop critical writing and thinking skills when they need them most.

At the heart of our conversation, Peter offered a crucial insight – as AI becomes increasingly capable of generating content, the ability to think critically, evaluate information, and form independent opinions becomes even more valuable. While some worry about teaching students to use AI tools, Peter thinks focusing on foundational skills creates more resilient learners who can effectively collaborate with technology rather than be replaced by it.

Perhaps most compelling is Quill's approach to AI literacy which integrates discussions about algorithmic bias, ethics, and the future of work directly into writing activities. By giving students agency to understand AI as a malleable tool rather than a mysterious black box, Quill and educators can prepare the next generation to shape technology's development rather than simply consume it.

What skills will remain essential in an increasingly AI-powered world? How can education evolve to prepare students for this AI-driven future? Listen to the episode, and let us know if we missed anything!

Learn more about Peter Gault and Quill:

• Quill.org
• linkedin.com/in/petergault3/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What makes us uniquely human in the age of AI?

According to Isabelle Hau, (Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning) it's our ability to form meaningful relationships — a feat she calls "relational intelligence."

Our conversation with Isabelle explores how education systems need to evolve past measuring success through grades and test scores, and instead toward fostering the human connections that will matter more in an AI-powered world.

Drawing from her forthcoming book Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education, Isabelle makes a compelling case that our educational priorities need realignment: "We have focused for a very long time on cognitive intelligence, which a lot of people would know as IQ. Over the past 20 years, there has been a shift toward emotional intelligence or EQ. But I believe we are at a juncture where we need to think a lot more about relational intelligence."

The discussion delves into Stanford's innovative approaches to AI in education, including their AI Tinkery where students and community members experiment with AI tools to solve their own problems. Rather than viewing AI merely as a tool for efficiency, Isabelle challenges us to consider how technology can transform learning experiences to better develop collaboration, creativity, and human connection.

Whether you're an educator, parent, researcher, or simply curious about the future of learning, Isabelle offers valuable insight into nurturing the skills that will truly matter as AI transforms our world.

Learn more about Isabelle Hau and the Stanford Accelerator for Learning:

• acceleratelearning.stanford.edu
• linkedin.com/in/isabelle-hau-a57175

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What if everything you've been told about AI and the future of work is wrong?

In this episode with Bloomberg Beta head Roy Bahat, we dive deep into why employment predictions fail, how AI is reshaping career paths, and why becoming "the CIO of your own life" might be the most valuable skill for navigating our technological future.

Roy has been investing in AI since 2014 and teaches at UC Berkeley's business school – and he is skeptical of conventional wisdom about how AI will impact jobs. Contrary to early predictions that focused on automation of low-wage positions, we're now seeing knowledge workers like software engineers, lawyers, and doctors experience significant disruption. As Roy says himself: "The big surprise with generative AI is everybody used to be worried about all the low-wage work being automated, and now I know a lot of software developers who are worried and lawyers who are worried."

Rather than seeking supposedly "safe" careers or skills, Roy advocates for adaptability and continuous learning. He introduces the concept of being "the CIO (Chief Information Officer) of your own life," or actively exploring and adopting tools rather than waiting for employers or institutions to dictate which technologies you should use. Roy's approach represents a fundamental shift from traditional "learn, then do" models as AI tools increasingly blur the boundaries between learning and application.

Whether you're a student planning your future, an educator rethinking your curriculum, or a professional adapting to technological change – our conversation with Roy will provide valuable frameworks for understanding how work, learning, and technology are evolving together.

Learn more about Roy Bahat and Bloomberg Beta:

• BloombergBeta.com/
• linkedin.com/in/roybahat/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What does the future of work and education look like when AI can accomplish in a few months what electricity took 80 years to achieve?

Chike Aguh (senior advisor at Harvard University's Project on Workforce) takes us through technological revolutions of the past and present, highlighting what makes generative AI fundamentally different – namely, its unprecedented speed of deployment and the fact that even its creators cannot fully predict its capabilities.

Drawing from his experience as a 2nd grade teacher in New York, Chike offers practical visions of how AI can transform education not by replacing teachers, but by creating more space for students to develop "timeless skills" like leadership, collaboration, and conflict resolution that cannot be learned from books alone. Such skills (unlike the technical "just-in-time skills" that AI is starting to effectively handle) are developed through practice, coaching, and real-world experience.

Chike also says that our AI future isn't predetermined. With demographic trends pointing toward a shrinking workforce, he argues we'll need "all the people and all the AI" working together. But that requires intentional decisions about how we deploy these technologies. Educators play a crucial role in this process – not necessarily as technical experts, but as guides helping students develop frameworks for using AI tools purposefully and ethically.

Want to understand how to prepare yourself or your students for an AI-transformed world? Listen as Chike offers specific, actionable guidance for educators and parents who are navigating this uncharted territory alongside their students.

Learn more about Chike and the Project on Workforce:

• pw.hks.harvard.edu/
• linkedin.com/company/project-on-workforce/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

AI is shifting the ground beneath our feet.

In this week's episode with Emmy-winning TV producer Gavin Purcell, we explore how AI differs fundamentally from previous tech trends like crypto, blockchain, and the metaverse.

Drawing from his unique perspective in traditional Hollywood and cutting-edge tech, Gavin explains how reasoning models represent a quantum leap beyond simple prompt engineering toward truly intuitive human-machine interaction.

The conversation turns particularly fascinating when exploring creative industries, where Gavin introduces the concept of "micro-studios" – small teams using AI to produce content that previously required hundreds of professionals. Through a live demonstrations with AI voice companion Maya and popular examples of AI-generated video, Gavin shows how close we already are to genuinely engaging artificial entities.

And since we're aiEDU, we also had to dive into what this means for education, careers, and human connection. How do we prepare students for a world where traditional skills are augmented or potentially replaced by AI? What happens when digital companions become more consistent and accommodating than the humans in our lives? These questions don't have simple answers, but they demand our attention.

And be sure to check out Gavin's AI For Humans YouTube series:

• aiforhumans.show
• linkedin.com/in/gavin-purcell-873060138/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What happens when we invest in entrepreneurs who've been overlooked by traditional venture capital?

Shawna Young, CEO of Camelback Ventures, has dedicated her career to answering that question by giving transformative support to founders from underrepresented communities.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Shawna chronicles her journey from AP science teacher in North Carolina to leader of an organization that has invested in 180+ founders across the country – not just in Silicon Valley. Her personal story illustrates Camelback Ventures' mission to identify brilliant entrepreneurs who are solving problems in their own overlooked communities.

Camelback's approach tackles a fundamental gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where brilliant ideas often fizzle out not from lack of merit but from lack of access to networks and capital. Now in their tenth year of operation, Camelback continue to invest in founders from the education, fintech, and health tech spaces.

Learn more about Shawna and Camelback Ventures:

• camelbackventures.org/
• linkedin.com/company/camelback-ventures

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What makes AI different from previous waves of education technology?

Greg Toppo, education reporter at The 74, joins us to unpack how AI is reshaping education from the classroom to district leadership. Drawing from his extensive journalism career and time as a teacher, Greg brings a measured perspective to the AI revolution that's sweeping through schools right now.

The conversation dives into the landmark Massachusetts court case, where a student challenged academic cheating accusations after using ChatGPT on a history assignment. Rather than viewing this as simply a policy failure, Greg frames it as a complex example of how even well-prepared schools must navigate uncharted ethical terrain: "When you're trying to design a bank that is impervious to being robbed, it really helps to consult with a bank robber."

For educators navigating this landscape, Greg recommends balanced information consumption – seeking perspectives from both enthusiastic advocates and thoughtful skeptics. The future of schooling depends not on blindly adopting technology, but rather on carefully considering how it could enhance the fundamentally human endeavor of education while preserving meaningful learning experiences.

You can follow Greg Toppo and The 74 at:

• the74million.org/about/team/greg-toppo/
• x.com/gtoppo

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

How can K-12 education adapt to AI?

In this thought-provoking conversation, we sit down with aiEDU's Director of Learning (and former high school math teacher) Khushali Narechania to explore how AI can be leveraged to benefit students in the classroom.

Khushali shares how educators are navigating the tensions between embracing new technology and preserving authentic learning experiences.

"The age of the take-home essay is dead," but that doesn't diminish the importance of writing skills – instead, it shows how classroom time will become even more valuable as a space where students can be taught skills that AI can't replicate. Similarly to how calculators transformed math education decades ago, Khushali discusses how AI may similarly shift our focus toward higher-order thinking and interpersonal skills.

Whether you're a teacher wondering how to adapt your assignments or a parent concerned about your child's education, this conversation offers valuable insights into preparing students for an AI-powered future where human connection may be their greatest advantage.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/