The future of AI & Education — Thomas Thompson (EduaideAI)
Summary
Thomas Thompson, co-founder and CEO of EduAid, discusses his background as a teacher and the inspiration behind creating a tool for instructional design that uses generative AI. He emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices in education and how AI can support teachers in creating more efficient and effective lessons. The EduAid platform allows teachers to integrate various tools and resources into one workspace, making lesson planning more streamlined and personalized. The team at EduAid aims to provide accessible and affordable AI tools for teachers, focusing on the quality of instruction rather than just saving time. Thompson also discusses the challenges and opportunities in the education technology landscape and the need for thoughtful adoption of AI in schools. In this conversation, Thomas Thompson discusses the adaptation of eduAID to different states' regulations and the importance of data privacy. He explains how eduAID avoids collecting personally identifiable information and focuses on instructional design elements. Thomas also talks about the lack of AI tools specifically focused on teachers and education. He mentions the need for discussions with policymakers to further develop eduAID and the challenges of integrating AI into the education system. The ultimate goal of education, according to Thomas, is sustainability and the development of basic literacy, numeracy, and interdisciplinary thinking skills.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:47 Thomas Thompson's Journey into Teaching
06:01 The Intersection of AI and Education
09:12 Best Practices in Education and AI's Role
14:00 Introduction to AI and the Genesis of EduAid
17:12 Transition from Teaching to Starting an AI Company
23:44 Exploring the Components of EduAid
28:38 Enhancing Teaching and Planning with EduAid
31:24 Feedback and Value of EduAid for Teachers
34:33 Affordable AI Tools
38:15 The Role of a Small Distributed Team
46:08 The Slow Pace of Policy Development
51:21 Developing Frameworks and Policy
57:10 Diversity of Opinions Among Teachers
01:01:52 The Future of Education
01:03:50 The Foundation: Basic Literacy and Numeracy Skills
01:12:28 The Goal of Education: Sustainability
01:22:01 The Decline in Basic Numeracy and Literacy Skills
01:27:06 Building and Growing in the AI Space: Caution and Research