AI can sound human, but it isn’t — and that difference changes how we teach, parent, and prepare kids for a future shaped by AI.

On this episode, we dive into AI readiness: the blend of skills, ethics, and technical insight that young people need to question, adapt, and lead in an AI-powered world.

We sit down with Philip Colligan of the Raspberry Pi Foundation to unpack layered AI literacy, including what students should know about data, large language models, bias, and the social impact of automation. He shares how Experience AI (co-created with Google DeepMind) equips teachers with free classroom resources so every student can get hands-on practice with training AI models, diagnosing bias, and interpreting results. From “tomato vs. apple” misclassification to image-generation blind spots, Phil shows how simple activities can spark important conversations about fairness, accuracy, and accountability.

We also hear from Kenyan teacher Mr. Monyancha Isena, whose students crowd around limited computers yet light up as they test AI models and ask why accuracy never hits 100%. Their curiosity illustrates a bigger point of how access and equity determine who benefits from AI.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or curious listener, you’ll leave with concrete ideas on how to build AI-ready habits: teach students how AI systems learn, demonstrate model bias through classroom activities, keep privacy guardrails in place, and emphasize student agency in using AI technology.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

Are you worried your kids might let AI do their thinking for them?

On this episode, Alex and Dr. Aliza dig into the questions parents ask most and share a practical roadmap for raising curious, confident, and discerning kids who can use AI without losing their edge. Whether it's developing everyday habits to build critical thinking or setting clear boundaries for schoolwork, we show how to help your kids become AI ready — fluent with AI tools, appropriately skeptical, and proud of their human advantage.

We start by unpacking what AI readiness looks like at home and in class:

• Using AI as a tutor, not a shortcut
• Asking for hints and feedback instead of final answers
• Testing understanding by explaining concepts in their own words.

From there, the conversation shifts to AI ethics around cheating and why expectations should be set by teachers up front. Cheating isn’t new, but trust matters and class assignments should clarify when AI is and isn't welcome.

We also look at AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes. For this, we offer simple, repeatable checks that kids can use right away:

• Pause, ask what would make this true
• Verify the info through a second source.
• Look for who benefits if you believe it.

Finally, we talk timing and development: when to introduce AI, how to avoid leapfrogging core skills, and why creative success still depends on taste and craft. You can’t speed-run taste — hours of practice, feedback, and iteration teach judgment that AI can’t replace.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

Are you worried about preparing your kids for jobs that don’t exist yet?

In this episode, we dig into the changes that AI is bringing to work and school. First up, materials scientist Ashley Kaiser reveals how AI is powering “self-driving labs” to offload repetitive tasks, which gives her more time for creative planning and scientific analysis.

Next, Google’s Ben Gomes explains why the next era of education must emphasize concepts over mechanics. He also discusses why curiosity, problem-solving, and cross-disciplinary thinking will define future-ready talent.

Across both conversations, we talk frankly about the shift from jobs to tasks and why routine work is most exposed to automation. But that does not make human workers less important — it actually makes human strengths more valuable. Critical thinking, clear writing, ethical reasoning, and the ability to frame problems will become the core skills of employability in AI-driven workplaces.

We also hear practical AI guidance for parents and students:

• Build real experience through internships and authentic projects.
• Use AI to accelerate learning while double-checking outputs.
• Blend STEM with humanities to strengthen judgment and communication.

If you’re wondering what to study, how to break into a first job, or how to keep your skills relevant as technology evolves, this episode offers a clear and optimistic roadmap for thriving alongside AI.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/