A Podcast for Change

What if the real risk of AI in schools isn't that it cheats - it's that it quietly switches off the parts of our brains we need most?
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Rob Wessman, VP of Ethics and Safety at School AI, to dig into one of the most important questions in education right now: are we building AI tools that develop young people, or tools that do the developing for them?

With a background as a high school English teacher, school administrator, and Harvard EdLD graduate, Rob brings a genuinely human lens to the world of edtech and a compelling case for why getting this right matters more than getting it fast.

We cover:
- The MIT study that showed students struggling to think for themselves after outsourcing their essays to AI
- Why School AI's research shows a 28% boost in higher-order reasoning - and how design makes the difference
- The deskilling risk hiding in plain sight (and what endoscopy doctors can teach us about it)
- Why banning AI in schools may be more dangerous than letting students use it unsupervised
- The "agency with guardrails" challenge: how do you build tools that protect without limiting?
- What Singapore's education ministry gets right — and why we should be paying attention
- Why School AI removed their cute avatar and what it says about human-AI honesty

Whether you're a school leader trying to make sense of AI policy, an educator worried about what students are losing, or just someone who wants the tech to actually serve learning, we think you'll like this one!

Chapters
0:00 Introductions
02:35 Rob Wessman's Background in Education
05:16 Rob's Role at School AI and Its Mission
08:45 Designing AI to Promote Critical Thinking
12:05 Safety Guardrails and Ethical Use of AI
14:03 MIT Study on De-skilling and AI Risks
17:00 Boosting Higher-Order Reasoning with AI
20:27 Supporting Teachers and Human Connection
24:09 Legislation and Societal Concerns about AI
28:15 Educating About AI and Its Risks
32:47 Future Directions and Responsible AI Design
40:37 What Remains Human in Education?
43:31 Closing Remarks

Read the research around SchoolAI and Critical Thinking: https://schoolai.com/research/schoolai-makes-students-think
Find out more about SchoolAI: https://schoolai.com

Check out all things Edufuturists at: edufuturists.com

What if AI could think more like a human - and what would that mean for education, teams, and leadership?
In this episode, Ben and Steve sit down with Kathryn Jablokow, Dean of Engineering at Manhattan University, to explore one of the most fascinating ideas in AI right now: cognitive diversity. With 34 years in engineering education and groundbreaking research into how AI agents can mimic different thinking styles, Kathryn brings a perspective you won't hear anywhere else.

We cover:
- Why AI struggles to find what you actually want
- Adaption-Innovation Theory and what it means for AI development
- Using AI as a genuine team member not just a productivity tool
- What engineering education needs to look like post-ChatGPT
- Why understanding how your team thinks is the real unlock for AI
- The problem with how schools teach teamwork (and why exams are part of the problem)

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or just someone trying to make sense of where AI is heading - this one's for you.

Chapters
00:00 Introductions
01:21 Kathryn Jablokow's Journey in Engineering Education
06:38 Transforming Engineering Education at Manhattan University
13:04 AI's Role in Education and Engineering
20:06 Integrating AI as a Team Member
24:09 The Future of AI in Education
30:42 Navigating Disagreement in AI Development
32:15 The Human Element in AI Interaction
34:11 Cultural Perspectives on AI and Robotics
36:33 Data Privacy and Environmental Concerns
38:32 Job Displacement and Creation in the Age of AI
43:28 Preparing Future Generations for an Evolving Job Market
47:26 Mental Well-Being and Critical Thinking in Education

Check out all about Edufuturists at https://www.edufuturists.com

This podcast episode is a brilliant conversation with Patrick Cozier, who shares his extensive experience in education leadership. The conversation goes into the challenges of decision-making, managing external pressures, leading with humanity, and the impact of paranoia in leadership.

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We also dig into the importance of consultation and feedback in decision-making, the CALM framework, authentic leadership, the journey and maturity of leaders, Patrick's role on the roundtable, and involvement with Show Racism the Red Card. The themes emphasise the significance of collaboration, internal and external calm, authenticity, reflection, influence, and anti-racism work in leadership and education.

Takeaways

- Leadership requires resilience and the ability to manage external pressures effectively.
- Leading with humanity involves recognising the human side of leadership and building trust through honest and real interactions.
- Paranoia in leadership can be challenging, and leaders must learn to cope with the varying opinions and perceptions of others. Consultation and collaboration are crucial in decision-making
- Calm leadership involves maintaining focus, awareness, and authenticity

Chapters
00:00 Introductions
06:30 Managing External Pressures
13:37 Leading with Humanity
20:42 Paranoia in Leadership
29:29 Consultation and Decision-Making
34:35 The CALM Framework
44:17 Journey and Maturity
51:02 Show Racism and Red Card

Grab a copy of Patrick's book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calm-Leadership-Staying-grounded-staying/dp/178583746X

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by David Cameron and Mick Waters to discuss the legacy of Sir Tim Brighouse, a significant figure in UK education. They explore Tim's influence, personal stories, and the concept of 'unfinished business' in education, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement and community engagement. The conversation highlights the need for actionable steps in education and the lasting impact of Tim's work. The conversation reflects on the legacy of people like Sir Tim and others like Sir Ken Robinson and David Price, focusing on the importance of teacher empowerment, the challenges of compliance in education, and the need for a more human-centred approach to teaching. We discuss the impact of politics on education, the necessity of autonomy for teachers, and the significance of inclusion and accessibility in the educational landscape. They advocate for a shift in metrics and accountability, focusing on strengths rather than compliance, and highlight the call to action for educators to retain joy and purpose in their profession.

In this episode of the podcast, we have a profound conversation with Jaz Ampaw-Farr, an educator and author, about the transformative power of teachers and the importance of human connection in education. Jaz shares her personal journey, highlighting the impact of five key teachers in her life who helped shape her resilience and success. The discussion goes deep into the challenges faced by educators, the need for mental health support, and the importance of building authentic relationships with students. Jaz emphasises that education should focus on nurturing human skills and preparing students for an uncertain future, advocating for a shift from traditional behaviour policies to relationship-focused approaches in schools.We also dive into her latest book, Because of You, This Is Me. Grab a copy here: https://www.crownhousepublishing.com/...

Joshua Dahn is the Executive Director and founder of Astra Nova School in Los Angeles, California. He is a co-founder of Synthesis, a company that brings students together from around the world to learn through complex games. “Six years ago, Elon Musk asked me to start an experimental school with him at SpaceX. The goal was to develop students who are enthralled by complexity and solving for the unknown.”Joshua co-founded Ad Astra School, the predecessor to Astra Nova, with Elon Musk in 2014. Joshua met Elon while teaching his children at Mirman School for highly gifted children in Los Angeles. Ad Astra School was located on the campus of SpaceX for Elon’s children and some Space X employee’s children. The curriculum at Ad Astra was not that of a typical school. Students learned about artificial intelligence and how to deliver "essentially a TED talk".  To encourage entrepreneurship Ad Astra also had its own unit of currency called the "Astra," which the children were able to trade with each other. Joshua explains that "One of the things they do is three times a year there’s a marketplace called the Bazaar and at the Bazaar the kids have their own companies essentially." Joshua will be delivering the keynote talk at the Edufuturists Awards 2021 on 2nd July. At the online event, where educators from around the UK are celebrated for their innovative approach to education, Joshua will explain the vision behind Astra Nova and how the future of education must adapt to meet the needs of our changing world.

Sugata Mitra is a world leading educational innovator. Professor Emeritus, NIIT University, Neemrana, Rajasthan, India (Retd. 2019) Professor of Educational Technology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (Former 2012) Visiting Professor, MIT Media Lab, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA Winner of the Dewang Mehta Prize for Innovation in IT, 2003 Winner of the first ever USD 1 million TED Prize, 2013

In this episode of the podcast, we have the awesome privilege of being joined by none other than Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE and former White House Education Adviser. We discuss the future of education and the role of technology in enhancing learning experiences.The conversation explores the importance of thoughtful tech integration (or not integration as you will hear Richard say!), the need for innovative teaching practices, and the significance of preparing students for a digital world. Richard shares insights on the Transformational Learning Principles and the necessity of authentic assessment in education. The conversation emphasises collaboration across the education ecosystem and the need to focus on uniquely human skills in an AI-driven future.

We are joined by Lord Jim Knight. Jim is currently the Chief Education and External Officer at TES Global and is currently living in London. Aswell sas this he also chairs XRapid.com - which focuses on moving towards offering free malaria diagnosis across the globe. Jim was a Former UK Government Minister, one role was minister of state schools from 2004-2005, and he is a current member of the House of Lords. He is a visiting professor at the London Knowledge Lab of the Institute of Education in London. He is a big advocate for technology and change needed in education. As well as being the chief Education and External officer Jim comes off the bench to write articles too. You can follow him on twitter @LordJimKnight