AI Applications in Education and Workforce Development

Today, the White House released America’s AI Action Plan to secure U.S. leadership in AI across innovation, infrastructure, and international diplomacy. The plan hopes to: 1. Accelerate AI Innovation by cutting regulations and bureaucracy to speed up AI development. 2. Build National AI Infrastructure by streamlining permits for data centers, energy infrastructure, and semiconductor fabs. 3. Lead Internationally by exporting a full “AI tech stack” to allies so that they don't turn to AI from adversaries. But what does it mean for education? Here’s what you need to know 👇 📚 Many of the education and workforce ideas were already reflected in Exec Order 14277 from April, as well as a "jobs of the future" related exec order. The plan contextualizes education within a “worker-first AI agenda”, with major investments in: • AI literacy for youth (via Executive Order 14277) • AI upskilling in career and technical education (CTE) • AI workforce pipelines through apprenticeships and dual enrollment, including the workforce needed to build and maintain AI infrastructure. • AI curriculum alignment across K–12 and postsecondary education • New AI research hubs and data access for educators & students • Rapid retraining and proactive upskilling for AI-displaced workers. The plan also says AI will “enable radically new forms of education." Of course, enabling is one thing and doing is another. And it all depends on what those new forms look like. Resisting all AI and tech in education is radical. So is blindly jumping into AI tools as if that were the only goal of AI in education. We want radical and beneficial. 💡 Bottom line: I'm glad that education is front and center. Many national AI strategy documents from other countries mention education less. But this reminds me that there are bigger stakes - free speech, people's jobs, and AI's global influence. #AIEd #AIEducation #AIWorkforce #AI #AIliteracy

Integrating Generative AI in Education: Enhancing Learning, Not Enabling Cheating - get it right As generative AI continues to evolve, its integration into educational settings is increasingly debated. While concerns about AI as a potential tool for cheating are valid, it’s important to focus on how this technology can responsibly enhance learning experiences. Benefits and Ethical Use Generative AI can transform education by providing personalized learning paths and increasing student engagement. More importantly, it offers a unique opportunity to teach critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By designing tasks that require students to create detailed AI prompts, educators can help students understand not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" of problem-solving. Demonstrating Understanding Incorporating AI into coursework can encourage students to demonstrate their understanding by explaining their reasoning within prompts. This practice ensures that AI is used as a learning accelerator, helping students explore complex concepts and apply knowledge rather than simply seeking quick answers. Real-World Applications Imagine a classroom where students use AI to simulate historical events, debate ethical dilemmas, or create virtual labs for science experiments. These applications show that generative AI isn't just a theoretical tool, but a practical one that can bring subjects to life and provide a deeper understanding of curriculum. Call to Action We should challenge educational administrators and decision-makers to proactively explore and integrate generative AI in their curricula. Let's seize the opportunity to use this technology not just as a supplementary tool, but as a key component in developing innovative and effective educational practices. Embrace AI to prepare our students for a future where they not only understand but excel in using advanced technologies for solving real-world problems.

The World Economic Forum's latest report, "Shaping the Future of Learning: The Role of AI in Education 4.0," provides a fascinating exploration into the potential of AI to revolutionize the global education system. 👩🏫 The report highlights key insights, such as the ability of AI to free up educators from routine tasks, thus allowing them to focus more on direct engagement with students. Also, AI technologies enable personalized learning experiences that can adapt to the unique needs of each student, potentially transforming educational outcomes. 🌍 While the report outlines the potential benefits of AI in education, it also highlights areas that require deeper consideration. For example, the complexities of AI technology implementation, especially in less developed regions, require more detailed strategies and resource allocation. 🏫 Additionally, there is a need for comprehensive plans to prepare teachers not just to use AI tools, but to integrate them into pedagogy effectively. 💾 Finally, the report could further emphasize strategies to safeguard student data against the increasing risks of breaches and misuse. 💡 As someone deeply committed to advancing AI literacy and upskilling in the workforce, I am encouraged by the report's emphasis on the critical role of AI in developing essential skills such as digital literacy, critical thinking, and ethical understanding. It's exciting to see a global perspective on how AI can tailor learning experiences to foster a diverse set of competencies in young learners and educators alike!

Wonderful conversations today at Charting the Course for Generative AI in Education at the American Enterprise Institute. Some learnings from the panels: John Bailey and Roberto Rodriguez discussed the federal efforts around trustworthy AI in education. Some key takeaways from Roberto Rodriguez: - AI tools must be curated, developed and deployed with intentionality. We don’t anticipate that we will put out guidance of how all AI should look in classrooms but we want it to be intentional. - Our educators need better professional learning to support the potential of AI. Should be a tool not a substitute for good instruction. - Excited about opportunity to approach new tools, new development, in a new way. We have a chance to co-create with real educators in real time and in a real way. This is a tool that is alive in the world in a way that previous tools were not. - We will create greater disadvantages and inequities if we sit this one out. Need structures for educators to connect with researchers and developers and build with real educators and their lived experiences. - Build capacity and exposure to AI to educators and how it can be used. Additional great learnings from Jeff Livingston Jeremy Roschelle and Kristen DiCerbo who discussed AI and Education: The Promise and Perils of AI in Teaching and Learning. - We must rethink what is cheating. If cheating is about getting the answer faster and more efficiently, what is the learning objective? - AI can create the opportunity for even more inclusive classrooms and for materials where students see themselves. - AI creates the potential for a new era of universal design and inclusive classrooms. - We must really make sure that we are building strong learners and specifically learners that become self-generating. - Teachers must be the ones to model what it looks like for AI to be used as an empowered tool. Teachers will need to be the model learners to help students learn to be agents. - We are going to have to help our students and teachers become more comfortable with uncertainty and safety and be able to vacillate between the two to be able to move forward in their learning journey. #ai #ailearning #edtech

Exciting news! 🚀 This week, Washington became the fifth state to unveil a strategy for integrating AI into public schools. 🙌 Here's why I think this sets a great precedent for other states/countries: 🤖 Human → AI → Human: Students and educators are encouraged to always begin with human inquiry, apply AI tools, and then evaluate and edit results. Focusing the narrative on human-centered approach ensures we maintain the integrity of the learning experience. 🚀 Empowering Future Innovators: AI is here to stay. This initiative encourages the embedding (vs. banning) of ethical AI use in K-12 education. This ensures students are not just passive users but informed creators and critics of AI technologies, ready to navigate a future where AI is likely much more ubiquitous. 🛡️ Data Protection & Privacy: Prioritizing the safety and privacy of student data is a big piece of AI adoption and literacy. We will never be able to establish trust among educators and parents in AI unless we ensure that student information is safeguarded. Arguably the EU is ahead of the US in this regard but it’s great to see data privacy is becoming an important part of the conversation in the US as well. 🌍 Equity and Inclusion in AI: There already are huge gaps in accessibility to meaningful AI education and so I appreciate multiple callouts in the document to ensure AI education is accessible to every student, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity. 🚀 Professional Development for Educators: The initiative recognizes the importance of empowering teachers with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices. 🤔 Critical Thinking and AI Ethics: Students are encouraged to engage with AI critically, understanding the algorithms and data that power these technologies. There are real risks and biases that come with GenAI and so it’s great to see that students are encouraged to question (and shape) the impact of AI on society. 📈 Real-World Applications: It's important to remind students that despite risks there are real positive use-cases of these technologies. And hopefully getting them excited to use GenAI meaningfully in their careers. 💡 Creative Problem Solving: By understanding AI's capabilities, students are equipped to leverage technology for creative innovation. This focus on creativity ensures that the next generation is ready to use AI in novel ways (that the non-AI natives might not think of). 👨🏫 Community Engagement and Support: Parents, families, and the wider community need to be involved in understanding AI's role in education. This inclusive approach ensures a collective effort in navigating the AI landscape. AI literacy is what we stand for at ai LaMo so huge kudos to Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and Chris Reykdal for championing such a visionary approach! #EdTech #AIineducation #WashingtonState #GenAI #education #edtechstartup