What does it mean for students to be 'AI ready?'

In this "in-house" episode, aiEDU CEO Alex Kotran sits down with Chief Program Officer Emma Doggett Neergaard and Director of Learning Khushali Narechania to explore the organization's new AI Readiness Framework. The aiEDU Learning Team unpacks how their framework provides a roadmap for K-12 educators to prepare students for an AI-powered future.

The team dives deep into what makes their framework unique – specifically, its focus on durable skills like critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving alongside technical knowledge. Rather than prescribing specific AI tools or technologies that quickly become outdated, the AI Readiness Framework emphasizes building foundational skills that will serve students regardless of how AI evolves.

One key point is that AI readiness reinforces many educational priorities that we already value. "Critical thinking is not something we just came up with," Emma explains. "It's more important than ever." The conversation also explores how core subjects like English and math become more crucial, not less, as AI transforms the workplace and society.

Whether you're a classroom teacher wondering how AI impacts your subject area, a school leader developing an implementation strategy, or a district administrator crafting education policy, this episode provides clear guidance on meaningful next steps toward comprehensive AI readiness for all students.

You can download the complete AI Readiness Framework at aiEDU.org and join the conversation about preparing students for success in an AI-transformed world.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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

What happens when you combine Hollywood-level storytelling with the intimacy of audio?

Oz Woloshyn and Mangesh Hattikudur, co-founders of Kaleidoscope, have created some of the most compelling podcasts in the medium by focusing on one simple truth: people love feeling smart, especially when learning feels like an adventure.

Kaleidoscope's award-winning shows transport listeners from the Amazon rainforest in search of rare cacao to a Soviet space station where a cosmonaut finds himself stranded when his country collapses beneath him. These aren't just podcasts – they're audio journeys that hook listeners with compelling facts and emotional moments that make seemingly niche topics universally fascinating.

As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and content creation, Oz and Mangesh offer refreshing perspectives on why human creativity remains irreplaceable. While they've embraced AI tools to streamline production (revolutionizing their workflow with transcription and editing software), they emphasize that technology serves creativity, not the other way around. The subtle imperfections of human communication (which Mangesh calls the "wobble") create emotional connections that no algorithm can replicate.

Kaleidoscope's approach to podcast creation offers valuable insights for educators and parents who are concerned about how to engage students in an era of shrinking attention spans. Whether you're a podcast creator, educator, or simply curious about the future of storytelling, this conversation will leave you rethinking how we connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

Learn more about Kaleidoscope:

• k-scope.com
• linkedin.com/company/kaleidoscopenyc/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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

Michelle Shomo Pierce invites us into her Charlotte, North Carolina classroom where computer science education transcends coding to become a vehicle for teaching essential life skills.

What makes Michelle's approach unique is her unlikely journey to becoming a computer science teacher. With a background in biology and elementary education, she stepped into the role without any formal CS training — a fact that helps her connect with students who might otherwise feel intimidated by technical subjects: "I didn't have the background knowledge, but I just kind of trusted my ability to be able to learn new things."

This philosophy of continuous learning defines her teaching. Whether she's guiding students through digital citizenship lessons, discussing the ethical implications of AI in criminal justice, or running a Girls Who Code club, Michelle focuses on empowering her Title I school students to be more than just technology consumers. "I don't want them just to be users," she explains passionately. "I want them to understand the real-world implications."

Michelle's work extends beyond her classroom as she advocates for equal access in computer science education through organizations like the Computer Science Teachers Association. Her experiences highlight the critical importance of representation, mentorship, and community in technology fields, especially for students from marginalized backgrounds. As she puts it: "If you can see it, you can be it."

Learn more about Michelle Shomo Pierce:

• linkedin.com/in/michelle-shomo-pierce-0874658b/
• dot.cards/michelleshomopierce

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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