Education, Data, and Generative AI - A Futurist Perspective with Kate Carruthers
Release Date: 01/18/2024
AI in Education Podcast
Episode Series 12 Episode 8 AI by Students, for Students In this special episode of the AI in Education Podcast, recorded live at the , Dan and Ray chat with two forward-thinking school leaders about how students are using AI in transformative ways. First up, , Head of ICT at , shares how his school built its own AI tool – "Annabelle" – to give students a tailored, ethical, and effective AI tutor. From exam revision to building study guides, students are using it creatively and proactively, showing just how valuable thoughtful AI implementation can be. Then, , Digital Learning Leader at ,...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
After starting with an existential crisis - "Are we basically doing the AI equivalent of a maths calculator podcast from the 1970s?" - in this news and research update, Dan and Ray unpack the latest developments in AI and education. Starting with China’s decision to shut down AI tools during national exams, they then revisit NSW’s EduChat chatbot, now in widespread use, with compelling data on time savings for teachers and learning benefits for students. The hosts dive into fresh research from the LEGO Foundation and Microsoft, both highlighting how young students engage with generative...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
We're halfway through Season 12 - the Student one - and in episode 6 you finally get to meet Megan (Year 7) and James (Year 11). Long-term listeners will have heard co-host Dan talking about how his own children use AI, and so now you can hear their perspectives. Dan asks both of them share how they and their friends use AI in school and outside. Enjoy the honest revelations!
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
In this news and research-packed episode, Ray and Dan dive deep into the AI highlights from EduTech 2025 in Sydney - reflecting on the vibe, standout presentations, and the surprisingly light AI presence on the expo floor. They unpack major news from the UK’s Department for Education, OpenAI’s model pricing shake-up, and raise serious red flags over Meta AI’s privacy approach. The duo also tackles the big questions educators face: is AI destroying the planet? Can we trust AI with student data? And what do students themselves think? Featuring insights from two key research pieces -...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
Students as AI Innovators In this inspiring episode of the podcast, hosts Ray and Dan speak with at on the Sunshine Coast. Brett shares how his school is flipping the AI narrative — from fear and compliance to student agency, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. He discusses how students are not only using AI tools but building their own large language models, crafting apps that respond to deeply personal challenges like Parkinson’s disease and anxiety, and collaborating with local industry on meaningful tech projects. From AI-powered research assistants to empathy-led app...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, Dan and Ray dive deep into how students are really using - beyond the hype. They unpack recent findings from the , exploring how students interact with models like Claude for study, writing, and even problem-solving. They discuss the latest sentiment data from a KPMG/University of Melbourne Business School report, "", revealing surprising differences in global optimism and concern about AI. (See the chart below, which isn't in the report, but Ray's creation from Figure 15) Plus, they share updates from Google I/O and Microsoft Build,...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, hosts Ray and Dan kick off Series 12 with a powerful focus on students—how they learn, what they need, and how AI is shaping their academic journeys. Joining them is at , who shares revealing insights from , which polled over 11,000 students across 15 countries. Nina dives into how students are turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT more than their professors, not out of laziness but to fill gaps in clarity, access, and support. The trio explores the need for AI that’s student-specific - not just curriculum-aligned - and the importance...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
New Series Alert - all about students In the kickoff episode of Series 12, Dan and Ray set the stage for a deep dive into AI from the student's perspective. Why are students confused about AI? How are they actually using it - and how should they be using it? The hosts explore the idea that AI can act as a tutor, a teacher, or a shortcut (a "cheater") and reflect on how this plays out in real classrooms and learning experiences. They also caught up on plenty of news this week - transdisciplinary learning models, new AI education policies from countries like China and the UAE, and how major...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
In this special solo-hosted episode, is joined by Dr. Mike Seymour from the University of Sydney, recorded live at the . You can find Mike through and Mike shares captivating insights from his work in digital humans - lifelike AI avatars that can support learning, healthcare, and emotional wellbeing. From using VR to train veterinary students with virtual sheep, to exploring how emotionally intelligent digital tutors can transform how students ask questions, this episode dives deep into the practical, human-centered future of AI. Mike draws on his background in Hollywood visual effects and...
info_outlineAI in Education Podcast
In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, Ray and Dan return from a short break with a packed roundup of AI developments across education and beyond. They discuss the online launch of the AEIOU interdisciplinary research hub that Dan attended, explore the promise and pitfalls of prompt engineering—including the idea of the “Uber prompt”—and share first impressions of the OpenAI Academy. Ray unpacks misleading headlines about Bill Gates “replacing teachers” with AI and instead spotlights the real message about AI tutors. They also dive into the 2027 AI forecast report, the...
info_outlineThe podcast was a special dual-production episode between the AI and Education podcast, and the Data Revolution podcast, welcoming Ray Fleming and Kate Carruthers as the guests. The conversation centred around the transformation of the traditional data systems in education to incorporating AI. Kate Carruthers, the Chief Data and Insights Officer at the University of New South Wales, and Head of Business Intelligence for the UNSW AI Institute, discussed the use of data in the business and research-related aspects of higher education. On the other hand, Fleming, the Chief Education Officer at InnovateGPT, elaborated on the growth and potential of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational technology and its translation into successful business models in Australia. The guests pondered the potential for AI to change industries, especially higher education, and the existing barriers to AI adoption. The conversation revolved around adapting education to make use of unstructured data through AI and dealing with the implications of this paradigm shift in education.
The Data Revolution podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:58 Guest Introductions and Backgrounds
01:56 The Role of Data in Education and AI
02:32 The Intersection of Data and AI in Education
04:11 The Importance of Data Quality and Governance
08:00 The Future of AI in Education
09:49 Generative AI as the Interface of the Future
10:20 The Potential of Generative AI in Business Processes
11:26 The Impact of AI on Traditional Roles and Skills
12:00 The Role of AI in Decision Making
13:46 The Future of AI in Email Communication
14:38 The Role of AI in Education and Career Guidance
16:34 The Impact of AI on Traditional Education Systems
18:18 The Role of AI in Academic Assessment
20:11 The Future of AI in Navigating Education Pathways
36:37 The Role of Unstructured Data in Generative AI
38:10 Conclusion and Farewell