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

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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

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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

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Let's be honest: Trying to make assignments “AI-proof” is like trying to write a “calculator-proof” math problem.

With that in mind, we explore how to design AI-ready assessments that reward genuine understanding and insight when answers are cheap and instant.

Alex and Dr. Aliza unpack a college course that embraces AI rather than hides from it. Tulane University associate professor Nick Mattei walks us through a term project where his students prompt multiple AI models, compare outputs, and critique errors before writing drafts and transforming their essay into another medium. The plot twist: Nick's assignment requires students to defend their choices in-person! That one change re-frames the assignment so students don't try to conceal AI use, and instead spend more time learning the material well enough to explain it to others.

From there, we sit down with Shantanu Sinha, founding president of Khan Academy and now VP and GM of Google for Education. Shantanu argues that AI shifts the spotlight from product to process. For instance, he draws a sharp line for high-stakes essays: AI can suggest structure, but only the student can supply authentic voice. The goal isn’t to ban technology, it’s to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, and teamwork — skills that will outlast any AI or edtech tool.

If you’re a teacher, parent, or curious learner, this episode will leave you with concrete strategies to re-think homework, re-wire assessments, and turn AI from a crutch into a scaffold.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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

Pressing an AI button won’t write a novel that anyone wants to read.

On this episode, we look at using AI for writing – not as a shortcut, but as a thinking partner that helps you move from fuzzy concepts to sharp ideas without losing your voice.

Alongside author Amit Gupta and Google’s VP of Learning, Maureen Heymans, we map the line between helpful brainstorming and harmful outsourcing. Ultimately, we landed on a simple rule of thumb that parents and students can use today: Does AI enhance or displace your thinking?

As a published sci-fi author who created Sudowrite, Amit shows us what he does whenever he's stuck on a story. Essentially, he dumps everything into an AI (random thoughts, dialogue snippets, backstory, etc.) and then has a conversation with the chatbot to refine it. Not to write for him, but to help him work through his own creative blocks.

Maureen gave us the most practical advice: Write your first draft yourself. It can be messy and disorganized, but capture your authentic thinking first and then use AI to fine-tune how you express those ideas. For example, as someone who isn't a native English speaker, Maureen uses AI to make sure her ideas aren't misinterpreted – but she always starts with her own thinking.

Both guests emphasized that AI is a tool, not a replacement. The guiding principle is simple: Does this help you think more deeply, or is it doing your thinking for you? Get that question right, and AI can be an incredible partner in learning.

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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

What if technology made classrooms feel more human, not less?

On this episode of Raising Kids in the Age of AI, we dive into real stories from the front lines of education to show how AI can help teachers fulfill diverse learning needs, increase engagement, and bring back joy to school so it doesn't turn into a screen-filled dystopia.

Alex and Dr. Aliza sit down with New York City special ed and tech teacher Shira Moskovitz, who transformed a disengaged science class by turning a traditional unit into a choice-driven project. With AI’s help, Shira's students built their own learning ecosystems and chose formats (posters, graphic novels, podcasts, videos, etc.) that matched their strengths. As a result, engagement in Shira's class surged, work quality rose, and one student on the autism spectrum earned recognition at a district STEM fair — that’s the power of differentiation at scale.

We also hear from Jennie Magiera, Google’s Global Head of Education Impact who also is a former teacher. Jennie explains how AI can help teachers draft lesson plans, refresh well-worn units, and spot real-time insights to free up time for more meaningful work with students, like one-on-one help and more in-depth feedback. Think of it like a coaching headset: the teacher stays in control while AI quietly amplifies reach and responsiveness.

Across our conversations, we hear pushback on the fear that AI will replace teachers or isolate students. Instead, both guests keep the focus on equity, relevance, and authentic student-teacher connection. When used with intention, AI supports teacher-led classrooms, helps students build executive function, and turns “Why do I need this?” into “This finally clicks for me.”

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

Let’s strip away the hype and make AI understandable, useful, and human.

Google Research VP Maya Kulycky explains why the human brain remains unmatched (And why that’s good news!) and offers practical guidance for using AI as a collaborator, not a crutch. Google DeepMind COO Lila Ibrahim takes us inside different projects that expand what’s possible with AI in anthropology (Project Aeneas) and molecular biology (AlphaFold).

Responsibility runs through every story here as both Maya and Lila emphasize safety reviews, partnerships with domain experts, and community voices shaping how tools land in classrooms, labs, and homes. We also talk about supporting different learners, like how AI can patiently explore rabbit holes for one student and help another organize ideas and communicate with confidence.

By understanding what’s behind the AI curtain, (Statistics, not magic.) we learn how to set smart guardrails, design better prompts, and turn AI’s fluency into real learning and better decisions.

If you’re ready to replace AI mystery with mastery, press play on this episode!

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
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aiEDU Studios has launched a separate podcast entitled Raising Kids in the Age of AI, created in collaboration with Google!

Co-hosts Alex Kotran and Dr. Aliza Pressman will explore how AI is shaping the future of parenting and learning in conversations with parents, students, and leaders in education and technology.

Meet Isabell, a 13-year-old entrepreneur who is using AI to enhance (Not replace!) her creativity as she builds her handmade product business: "I like to have control over everything I do," she explains, demonstrating wisdom beyond her years in how she leverages technology while maintaining her own vision. Her mother Tiffany strikes the perfect balance of curiosity and caution, showing how parents can guide without hovering.

We also spoke with Maureen Heymans, VP of Learning at Google and a mother of two teenage sons. She shares how her boys have used "vibe coding" to bring their passion projects to life — one created a website for his honey business despite no coding experience, the other developed an app to help cyclists identify bike problems. Maureen emphasizes that AI should function as "an extension, not a replacement" for children's thinking, and encourages parents to foster independent brainstorming before turning to technological assistance.

What emerges throughout our conversations is a powerful realization: the core principles of raising adaptable, healthy, and connected children haven't changed, but our approach must evolve. Parents don't need technical expertise to navigate this landscape — they simply need to maintain open communication, cultivate curiosity, and become their child's "encourager in chief."

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

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