Episode 275: Michelle L.

Balancing AI Innovation and Student Privacy with Michelle L. In this episode of My EdTech Life, I welcome Michelle L. from the UK to discuss the complex landscape of AI in education. As an educator and consultant advising schools on EdTech acquisitions, Michelle brings a wealth of experience and insights to the conversation. Together, we talk about the hype surrounding AI, the potential risks and benefits for students and teachers, and the critical importance of data privacy and security in the EdTech space. Michelle shares her perspective on the rapid adoption of AI tools, the challenges of meaningful consent, and the need for greater transparency from EdTech companies. She and Fonz also explore the potential impact of AI on the teaching profession, the systemic issues driving teacher burnout, and the importance of proceeding with caution as we navigate this new frontier in education. Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:57 - Michelle's background in education and EdTech consulting 04:21 - Initial reactions to ChatGPT and the AI hype 08:29 - Current experiences with AI in UK schools 11:26 - The importance of defining AI and referencing research 15:01 - Concerns about AI outsourcing and replacing teachers 19:27 - The lack of research on AI's impact on student learning 22:39 - The Trojan horse of AI in education 25:39 - Engaging students vs. ensuring their learning with AI tools 28:58 - The opaque nature of EdTech companies and data sharing 34:20 - The difficulty of regulating AI in schools 38:35 - The potential for student-driven lawsuits against EdTech 42:20 - EdTech companies preying on teacher burnout 46:36 - The need for government oversight of EdTech privacy and security 51:07 - Concerns about using student photos and data in AI systems 56:36 - Wrapping up the conversation 59:01 - Michelle's edu-kryptonite: school uniforms 1:00:16 - Billboard message: "Move slowly and fix things." 1:01:52 - Hobby turned profession: Tarot reading for business --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/myedtechlife/support