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 futur...
Dec 13, 2024•33 min
In this episode of ChatEDU ( Motion Rejected - The AI Cheating Case That Surprised Everyone - Including Us ), Matt and Liz reflect on AI’s evolving role in schools and classrooms. They unpack two new studies on AI adoption among teachers, a timely toolkit from the U.S. Department of Education, and a controversial AI cheating case that’s testing the limits of academic integrity policies. They revisit the story of "Daisy," the AI modeled as a 90-year-old woman, and discuss a holographic AI Jesus c...
Dec 06, 2024•47 min
In this pre-recorded Thanksgiving episode of ChatEDU (Banned or Boosted? AI's Mixed Signals in Education and Work), Matt and Liz reflect on gratitude, share updates on their AI micro-credential program, and dive into a compelling trifecta of stories that highlight the evolving relationship between generative AI, education, and the workplace. Getting Started: Matt and Liz reconnect after a brief hiatus, reflecting on the podcast’s journey, their collaborative work, and appreciation for their list...
Nov 29, 2024•39 min
In this NEW episode of ChatEDU (Google’s Learn About – Innovation Amid AI Turbulence), Matt and Liz explore Google’s new generative AI tool and its implications for education, content publishers, and AI-guided self-directed learning. Getting Started: Matt and Liz reflect on their hiatus and the success of their recent AI in Education micro-credential launch. They also have a fun look at Daisy AI from 02. An AI tool designed to capture the time and attention of phone scammers. The Big Three: Open...
Nov 22, 2024•57 min
While Matt and Liz continue to roll out their AI micro-credential, ChatEDU is revisiting some episodes from our past lineup. In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to bring back listener favorites that sparked conversations and insights. If you’re new to ChatEDU, welcome! We hope these episodes offer you a great starting point. For our long-time listeners, it’s a chance to revisit an episode or check out other AI and education podcasts. In this Encore Episode – A Talk with the Boss , Matt and Liz s...
Nov 15, 2024•52 min
While Matt and Liz continue rolling out their AI micro-credential, ChatEDU will be revisiting some of our past episodes. Over the next few weeks, we’ll bring back more listener favorites that sparked insightful discussions and questions. If you're new to ChatEDU, welcome! We hope these episodes offer a solid introduction. And for our loyal listeners, take this chance to revisit a past episode or check out other great AI and education podcasts. In this Encore Episode – From Solo to System: Elevat...
Nov 08, 2024•57 min
While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During most of this month, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out there—or explo...
Nov 01, 2024•39 min
While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During the rest of this month and next, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out t...
Oct 25, 2024•43 min
In this live episode of ChatEDU recorded at an AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut (More Common Sense - A New CSM Report on Teens and AI), Matt and Liz unpack Common Sense Media's latest report on teen AI usage, followed by an engaging Q&A session with educators. The episode explores the growing role of AI in education and the disparities in awareness between teens and parents. Getting Started: Matt and Liz kick off the episode from their AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut, with a...
Oct 18, 2024•49 min
In this episode of ChatEDU ( To Tech or Not to Tech - A Conversation with Principal Darron Vigliotti) , Matt and Liz sit down with Darron Vigliotti, a middle school principal and former high school science teacher. Darron brings his thoughtful perspective on balancing technology and tech-free spaces in the classroom. Key points of the conversation include: Darron’s reflections on creating tech-free learning spaces and how that can improve attention and engagement (for both students and teachers)...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Tool Time - Our Fall AI Tool Review), Matt and Liz welcome special guest Abbe Waldron to explore the landscape of AI tools in education. They discuss what's working, what's challenging, and what might be coming next. Getting Started: Matt humorously arrives late to the podcast recording, leading to a playful exchange about using ChatGPT to role-play difficult conversations. In the News: Study finds ChatGPT eases students’ cognitive load, but at the expense of critical...
Oct 04, 2024•45 min
In this live episode of ChatEDU ( Live Comp Sci - AI in Computer Science Education) , Matt and Liz dive into the future of computer science education in an age dominated by AI, The episode was recorded in front of a live audience with the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association and features discussions on AI's impact on teaching and learning in computer science, insights from a new Teach AI and CSTA report, and live Q&A with educators. Getting Started: Matt and Liz kick off the epi...
Sep 27, 2024•50 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Missing in Action - Why OpenAI Won’t Release Their AI Content Detection Tool) Matt and Liz explore why OpenAI has not released their AI content detection tool and they unpack the funky intersection between a rock-solid content detection tool and competitive business interests. Getting Started: Matt and Liz discuss recent Surgeon General warnings, touching on topics like social media use, parental stress, and the challenges of modern parenting. In the News: 1. Google's...
Sep 20, 2024•49 min
In this episode of ChatEDU , Matt and Liz explore how AI and humans can collaborate to enhance creative problem-solving based on a recent Harvard Business School study. classrooms. Getting Started: Matt and Liz chat about Liz's recent camping trip to celebrate her 4-H camp's 100th anniversary. Matt demonstrates Eleven Labs' new Text to Sound Effects System, showcasing how AI is transforming audio production (all while rudely interrupting Liz!). In the News: AI as an Assignment Evaluator: Matt an...
Sep 13, 2024•45 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (From Solo to System - Elevating AI Across Our Schools), Matt and Liz explore how schools need to move beyond focusing just on teacher AI professional learning to realize the full potential of AI and benefits of generative AI. Getting Started: Matt and Liz discuss if they’d pay extra $ for grad school to keep their kids out of the basement and how that might be related to AI “training” runs. You have to listen to understand! Then in the News: Ideogram 2.0: Matt and Liz...
Sep 06, 2024•54 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (A Talk with the Boss - The Jonathan Costa Interview), Matt and Liz interview Jonathan Costa, the Executive Director of EdAdvance. They discuss the impact of AI on education and Jonathan's vision for the future of learning. The three have a great conversation on a range of topics including: AI and Education EdAdvance's approach: Using AI to improve service quality and efficiency internally, while helping districts rethink public education through an AI lens Vision for ...
Aug 30, 2024•50 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Simulated Minds - Using AI to Deepen Research Insights), Matt and Liz explore the use of AI in social science research, focusing on a study from NYU and Stanford about using large language models to simulate research participants. First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss a trend of women using AI to fact-check men's height claims on dating apps. They then explore contrasting organizational approaches to AI adoption: AI Bans in Organizations: Matt shares an anecdote ab...
Aug 23, 2024•53 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (The Storm Rolled In - Stanford's AI Research Tool), Matt and Liz explore the implications of Stamford University's new AI research tool, STORM, and its potential impact on education and research skills. First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss the recent Olympics. They highlight the artistic swimming competition of course and some interesting AI intersections. These include Google's DeepMind winning a medal in the International Math Olympiad and an ad for Google’s Gem...
Aug 16, 2024•50 min
In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (Crash Course - Building Your AI Professional Learning Plan), Matt and Liz explore strategies for developing effective AI professional learning plans for educators. Intro Matt welcomes Liz back and then quizzes her with a paragraph full of “AI tell words” to see how many she can identify. Liz puts Matt in the “hotseat”, as she inquires about how he approaches AI professional learning for back-to-school and beyond. They discuss a range of issues including...
Aug 09, 2024•51 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (AI on the Field - Our Interview with Tech Coach Ed Duclos), Matt and Liz interview Ed Duclos. Ed is a technology (and HS athletics) coach from South Windsor High School in Connecticut. They discuss his district's experiences implementing AI in education over the past year. Key points include: South Windsor's approach of encouraging AI exploration Formation of teacher and student AI squads Criteria for selecting student-facing AI tools Evolution of literacy education a...
Aug 02, 2024•48 min
In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (The Predication Show - Forecasting AI in Edu), Matt and Liz explore potential futures for AI in education using a forecasting prompt from Professor Ethan Mollick. First, Matt and Liz introduce the episode concept, explaining how they’ll use Professor Mollick's "Four Futures" AI scenarios to make predictions about various educational topics. Then they dig into the forecasting on topics including: Universal translators implanted in earlobes Potential for ...
Jul 26, 2024•37 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Gemini Splashdown - Will Google Dominate AI in Education Next Year?), Matt and guest co-host Jonathan Costa explore two big moves from Google that will potentially redefine the educational landscape for K-12 in the years ahead. First in our Intro: Matt welcomes Jonathan Costa as a guest co-host while Liz is on the road. They obviously discuss Jonathan’s dog who has been featured in the podcast, as well as a cool AI feature of the upcoming Paris Olympics . Then in the ...
Jul 19, 2024•59 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (What a Character - The Secret Life of character.ai and Teens), Matt and Liz explore the wildly popular character.ai platform and how its approach might be leveraged for AI in K-12 education. First in our Intro Matt welcomes Liz back from her international travels and they discuss the reported perils of AI use and drinking (though it does not appear to apply to them!). Then in the News AI Content Detection Updates - After a detailed sidebar on custom bots, Matt provide...
Jul 12, 2024•49 min
In this episode of ChatEDU , Matt and Liz interview Charli Hughes, a recent high school graduate heading to the University of Connecticut in the fall. Charli discusses her summer internship at Medtronic (where she works on the Hugo Robot Assisted Surgery System), and her journey into computer science through robotics competitions. Charli is one of the most thoughtful voices out there on AI, it just so happens that she is a recent high school graduate. Don’t miss her insights and opinions on what...
Jul 05, 2024•45 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Bottom-Up AI: Where Proactive Educators Lead), Matt and Liz explore how educators at all levels can advance their work with AI, regardless of what state or federal policies are in place where they live. In the News: AI as Moral Expert - Matt discusses a recent study comparing GPT-4's moral advice to that of professional ethicists , finding that the AI often outperforms humans in areas like moral soundness and thoughtfulness. Matt and Liz put AI to the test on a juicy ...
Jun 28, 2024•37 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Dear AI, Slow the Heck Down), Matt and Liz discuss the disruptive and problematic consequences of large tech companies moving too fast in the AI space. They unpack various incidents, and the implications of rapid AI advancements on education. First in Our Intro Matt and Liz discuss the emergence of non-human AI models, including meerkats, whales, dogs , and elephants. They humorously explore the idea of translating animal noises into “language” and the challenges it p...
Jun 21, 2024•34 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (Teens on Gen AI: A New Study from Common Sense Media) , Matt and Liz dive into a new report from Common Sense Media that explores how teens are using and perceiving generative AI. The episode provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on this topic, shedding light on both the excitement and concerns surrounding AI among young people. First in Our Intro Matt and Liz talk about interactive prompting and narcissism :). Check out www.skills21.org/ai (Prompts...
Jun 14, 2024•32 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Surrender - Professors Throw in the Towel on Writing?) Matt and Liz discuss the controversial notion of AI taking over writing tasks. The episode deep dive is informed by the work of two professors from Carnegie Mellon University who are saying the quiet part out loud, with an AI tool aimed at assisting students with the writing process. Fist in the news: Mechanistic Interpretability - Matt explains the concept of mechanistic interpretability, likening it to an MRI...
Jun 07, 2024•27 min
In this first “Short Stack” episode of ChatEDU (AI Hope or Hype - A K-12 Reality Check) Liz and Matt unpack an important New York Times opinion piece titled " Press Pause on the Silicon Valley Hype Machine ” by Julia Angwin. They explore key assertions in the article including: Overstated Achievements: AI's claimed capabilities versus real performance. Unreliable Performance: The effort required to correct AI output versus manual tasks. Limited Improvement Potential: Constraints on AI improvemen...
May 31, 2024•32 min
In this episode of ChatEDU (That’s a Wrap - Exploring the Fate of Custom AI Teacher Tools), hosts Matt Mervis and Liz Radday think through the implications of the ChatGPT 4o release, and what it may mean for custom AI teacher tools and the broader landscape AI + education landscape. First, In the News: Microsoft Work Trends Report Matt unpacks a new report from Microsoft highlighting the need for AI literacy in schools. AI and Solopreneurs Liz examines the rise of "solopreneurs," entrepreneurs u...
May 24, 2024•43 min
