AI in the Classroom and Beyond

In this Season 2 premiere of AI in Action, Dr. Sidney Shapiro is joined by Dr. Jason Satel to examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping education, research, and professional expertise.

The conversation explores the realities behind AGI hype, the rapid adoption of AI tools in universities, and why traditional assessment and certification models are under growing pressure. Dr. Satel discusses practical approaches to teaching students how to use AI effectively, rather than attempting to prohibit it, and explains why iteration, context, and critical judgment are now core skills.

Key topics include:

• AI’s impact on higher education and assessment design

• Teaching AI literacy to students and faculty

• The limits of current models in creativity, humor, and context

• AI as a research assistant: literature review, coding, and data analysis

• Hardware constraints, industry–academia gaps, and access to compute

• Bias, synthetic data, and model alignment

• What AI means for future careers, expertise, and certification

This episode offers a grounded, candid discussion on adapting educational and research practices in a world where AI is becoming a standard tool rather than a novelty.

Find out more at https://ai-in-action.pinecast.co

Welcome to the final episode of Season One of AI in Action! In this episode, host Dr. Sidney Shapiro reflects on the transformative journey through the world of artificial intelligence, wrapping up a season packed with insights, innovations, and expert discussions. Key Highlights of the Episode:

1. The Democratizing Power of AI:
   • AI's ability to simplify complex tasks and empower individuals without technical expertise.
   • Examples of generative AI applications, including coding assistance, app creation, and productivity tools.
2. Ethical and Environmental Considerations:
   • Balancing AI's potential with its environmental cost and ethical challenges.
   • Using AI responsibly to optimize efficiency without excessive resource consumption.
3. AI in Education and Creative Fields:
   • How AI is reshaping learning, from creating engaging educational tools to enhancing translation and communication.
   • The evolving relationship between artists, creativity, and generative AI tools.
4. Challenges and Limitations:
   • The scalability and cost-effectiveness of generative AI.
   • Issues with contextual understanding in AI outputs and the need for better multimodal models.
5. Innovative Applications and Real-World Examples:
   • From student-built Kickstarters to industry solutions boosting productivity.
   • Real-life success stories and cautionary tales about integrating AI into workflows.

Reflection on the Journey: Dr. Shapiro shares insights from conversations with experts across various disciplines, emphasizing how AI's impact varies dramatically depending on context and implementation. He also discusses the excitement and challenges of navigating this rapidly evolving field, with a hopeful but grounded perspective on its future. Thank You: Special thanks to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the University of Lethbridge for their support in making this podcast possible.

Find out more at https://ai-in-action.pinecast.co

In Episode 25 of the AI in Action Podcast, host Dr. Sidney Shapiro sits down with Frank Ọnụ, a doctoral researcher and instructor, to discuss the critical intersections of AI, ethics, and social justice. Frank brings a wealth of expertise in prompt engineering, misinformation, and the broader societal impacts of AI, making him a vital voice in understanding these complex issues. Key topics covered in this episode include:

• Frank’s journey into research at the crossroads of AI, ethics, and misinformation.
• The role of AI in amplifying and mitigating misinformation in the digital age.
• Insights into the "Inclusive Research" initiative, which focuses on increasing access to digital research tools for African scholars.
• Ethical considerations in prompt engineering and the responsible use of generative AI tools.
• The geopolitical implications of AI and what policymakers need to consider.
• Frank’s vision for how academia and industry can collaborate to create equitable and socially responsible AI applications.

Find out more at https://ai-in-action.pinecast.co