AI Insights #9
Matthew Wemyss
Assistant School Director | Co-host of Ctrl+Alt+Teach Podcast | Edufuturists Awards - A.I. Pioneer 2024
This week in the AI in education trenches, we had a breakthrough with my Year 12s! Remember last week's "oops" moment? (catch up on that learning experience here ). This time, we kept things simple and focused on Adabot, a coding assistant.
The key was tackling the "WHY, HOW, WHEN" of AI use head-on. We started by figuring out why Adabot was useful for them, not just for me. It was a real lightbulb moment when they realised it could help them with those niggly coding problems while I was busy helping others. Then, a quick demo showed them what Adabot could (and couldn't!) do. A few cheeky attempts to get it to write entire programs were swiftly thwarted - no magic bullets here! Finally, we established clear guidelines on when to use Adabot, preventing over-reliance and encouraging them to see AI as a tool, not a crutch.
And it's not just coding where I'm seeing the impact of AI! It's popping up everywhere. In History, we're exploring the dangers of AI-generated misinformation. PE is diving into the world of "XG probability" in sports analytics (I had to Google that one myself - not exactly a sports buff!). My personal favourite? The Drama department's plan to have students act out their own scripts alongside AI-generated ones, exploring the nuances and "feel" of each. What a brilliant way to get hands-on with AI content and reflect on their own creative voices.
But it's not all about the classroom. This week also saw the AI-driven meme coin, goatseus maximus (GOAT), reach a staggering $700 million market value. It begs the question: are we truly preparing students for a future where AI influences not just technology, but culture and society as a whole? As we equip students for this AI-centric world, we're also faced with a "generational gap" in AI acceptance.
Stay tuned for more insights, cross-curricular AI ideas, and resources to help you integrate AI in ways that truly engage your students!
Are We Baah-hind? ??
Dismissing goatseus maximus (GOAT) as just another crypto oddity misses the point. When an AI-driven meme coin hits $700 million in value, it’s not just crypto being crypto. It raises an urgent question: are we preparing students for a world where AI shapes not just technology, but also culture?
When an AI can mint both viral trends and market movements, traditional tech literacy is no longer enough. Students need the ability to decode what is authentic, what is algorithmically crafted, and what is pure hype. Imagine a finance class analysing how AI trading bots influence crypto prices, or media students exploring why certain AI-generated content goes viral. This is the education tomorrow demands.
The implications extend far beyond the classroom. Today’s students must navigate a landscape where AI could be behind their favourite influencer’s latest post and tomorrow’s biggest investment trend. Teachers face the challenge of fostering critical thinking skills that go deeper than basic digital literacy. These are skills that help students question not only what they see, but how and why it was generated.
GOAT’s rise is not just a crypto phenomenon; it is a glimpse into a future where AI could be used to drive cultural and financial trends in equal measure. As AI continues to rewrite the rules of engagement, education must evolve beyond teaching digital skills. It must prepare students for a world where artificial and human intelligence increasingly intertwine. The future of education is not simply about understanding technology; it is about mastering the new reality it creates.
AIDUCATION'25: Get Hands-On with AI in Education
Ready to move beyond the AI hype and discover practical strategies for transforming your classroom? At AIDUCATION'25, we're not just talking about AI – we're diving deep into hands-on learning and real-world applications.
Here's what you can expect:
Expert-led Keynotes: Gain insights from leading voices in AI education, including Dan Fitzpatrick , Al Kingsley , Ben Whitaker , and Philippa Wraithmell . They'll share their expertise on effectively integrating AI into your teaching, refreshing your digital strategy, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Interactive Workshops: Roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with AI tools and techniques in our interactive workshops. Learn how to:
Real-World Applications: Discover how educators are already using AI to enhance teaching and learning, and explore practical strategies you can implement immediately in your own classroom.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow educators, AI experts, and EdTech leaders from around the world. Share ideas, build your network, and be inspired by the collective passion for innovation in education.
Plus! Don't miss Alex Gray interviewing thought leaders behind the scenes for the International Classroom Podcast.
?? Join us in Bucharest on 15th February 2025!
??? Get your tickets here ???
I'm also thrilled to announce our new event partner, Banca Transilvania , who share our commitment to innovation in education!
The Generational Gap in AI Education
When my three-year-old daughter Emily graduates in 2043, she won’t remember a world without AI. For her generation, artificial intelligence won’t be disruptive; it’ll be as natural as the internet is to us. Yet this creates an intriguing tension in today’s classrooms: while younger students are growing up with AI-powered apps and digital assistants as constant companions, many educators and older students find themselves grappling with a significant shift in how we teach and learn.
This isn’t just resistance to change—it’s about “generational inertia,” the powerful pull toward the familiar, especially when you’ve spent years mastering a system. Recently, I witnessed this firsthand while running a five-week project with 78 students, each receiving real-time AI feedback. While the AI served as a coach, complementing my classroom support, some students instinctively hesitated to embrace these new tools.
This divide highlights a crucial challenge: how do we bridge the gap between those who find comfort in traditional methods and the next generation, who may view these approaches as outdated? In my book AI in Education: An Educator’s Handbook , I detail what I call the “Look, Book, Cook” approach (you can find out why it’s called this in the book ??):
The stakes couldn’t be higher. In a world where AI may become a job requirement, we can’t afford to let generational differences slow progress. Whether we’re teaching today’s high school students or preparing for future students like Emily, our mission is clear: build a bridge between the familiar and the future (for both staff and students).
The reality is, AI won’t wait for education to catch up. Just as we once debated bringing calculators into classrooms, we now face a choice: embrace AI’s role in learning or risk leaving our students unprepared for a world that has already made that choice for us.
Want to learn more about implementing AI in your classroom? Grab a copy of AI in Education: An Educator’s Handbook, available now on Amazon (now also in Kindle format!).
Ta-ra, duck!
And on that note I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your weekend!