Learning Curve

For this episode Jeff connected with Evan Ratliff, who created what he calls “the world’s first AI-led startup” to see what happens when AI agents run a company.

Shell Game podcast, by Evan Ratliff.

"Silicon Valley’s New Obsession: Watching Bots Do Their Grunt Work," in The Wall Street Journal.

A growing number of experts are making the case for requiring students from middle school to college to do more rote memorization — of poems, dates, capitals, and more — to respond to rise of generative AI.

"2024 USA Memory Championship (LIVE STREAM)," on YouTube.

"Everyday Genius," by Nelson Dellis.

"The Memory Paradox: Why Our Brains Need Knowledge in an Age of AI," on ArXiv.

Can thinking the public narrative around robot cars help educators think about the fast-rising trend of generative AI? For this episode, Jeff talked with two experts with books on how to think about teaching and AI — and put them in debate about key differences in their approaches.
Books, articles and podcasts mentioned:
“Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning,” by José Antonio Bowen and C. Edward Watson.
“More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI,” by John Warner. 
“What Is Culture in the Age of A.I.?” by Joshua Rothman in The New Yorker.
My interview with writer John McPhee from 2018 on the EdSurge Podcast.
“Chemistry Nobel goes to developers of AlphaFold AI that predicts protein structures,” in Nature.

During the ICE surge in Minneapolis, AI is playing a role in this tense and unfolding story, specifically how it is contributing to misinformation. What can educators do to prepare students, and any of us, for this new information landscape where AI is increasingly a factor. Jeff visited the University of Minnesota’s journalism school and talked with a professor who is exploring the role of AI in news, as well as three student journalists covering protests and ICE activity.
Links mentioned:
Photos, videos and other coverage from The Minnesota Daily, the student newspaper at the University of Minnesota.
Trump social media post showing AI generated image of him attacking protesters, and an article about it. 
"White House shares an altered photo of arrested Minnesota protester Nekima Levy Armstrong," in NBC News.

Last week the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing about potential legislation banning kids under 13 from using social media. Australia has a new law keeping kids under 16 off the technology. What about new AI tools? Should regulations enforce age limits — and is that even possible given how embedded the tech is becoming?
Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, "Plugged Out: Examining the Impact of Technology on America’s Youth."