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/

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 the 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

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

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/

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/