News & Research: The Global Shift from Policy to Practice
Release Date: 03/20/2025
Not Cheating - Learning: Students on Using AI Ethically
AI in Education Podcast
In this eye-opening episode of the podcast, hosts Ray and Dan are joined by a remarkable group of students from . Part of the student-led series 12, this conversation dives into how teens are really using AI in their schoolwork. And it’s far more sophisticated than you might think. From using Gemini and ChatGPT to find historical sources and generate study guides, to marking their own assignments with AI before submission, these students aren’t cutting corners. They talk openly about how they’re finding smarter ways to learn. The discussion explores ethical concerns like plagiarism,...
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From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education
AI in Education Podcast
From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education In this solo news and research roundup, Ray covers some of the biggest recent stories in AI and education – from high-profile case studies to practical tools for teachers and real concerns from students. Links for what’s in this week's episode: New AI training modules for Australian teachers Education Services Australia has released a set of lesson-ready resources to help teachers guide students in safe, effective AI use – including interactive activities and a certificate aligned with AITSL standards. Harvard...
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AI, Assessments & A-Graders: A Student's POV
AI in Education Podcast
AI, Assessments & A-Graders: A Student's POV What happens when AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s VEO3 land in the hands of curious, creative high schoolers? In this episode, we talk with Caitlyn, a Year 11 student from Sydney, who gives us a front-row seat to how students are really using AI in school right now. From refining English essays with high-modality language to producing eye-catching videos that bring creative writing to life, Caitlyn shows how AI has become her on-demand study buddy, grammar coach, and even a research assistant. She unpacks how her school’s “traffic light...
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Union-Powered AI: PD Meets Big Tech
AI in Education Podcast
Union-Powered AI: PD Meets Big Tech This solo news-and-research roundup unpacks a blockbuster fortnight for AI in education, highlighting a landmark partnership between U.S. teacher unions and tech companies that could rewrite professional development. Headlines AFT × UFT × Microsoft/OpenAI/Anthropic – launch the National Academy for AI Instruction (US $23 M) to train 400,000 educators as AI-savvy professionals Announcement: AI Instruction website: Google “Gemini for Education” – 30 generative tools for lesson design, rubrics & more (ISTE 2025 reveal). Blog post: ...
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AI by Students, for Students
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 ,...
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Does AI make you dumb?
AI 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...
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We finally meet Megan and James
AI 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!
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Gen Z's AI Reality
AI 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 -...
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Students as AI Innovators, with Brett Moller
AI 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...
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Agents, Optimism & Essays: The Real AI Student Life
AI 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_outlineNews Stories Covered in the Episode
AI Typing Like a Human? – Graham Clay’s LinkedIn post on ChatGPT Operator mimicking human keystrokes
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7292163775963557888/
The Vatican on AI Ethics – “Antiqua et Nova” report on AI, human intelligence, and ethics in education
Sacerdotus: Vatican's New Document on AI: Ethical Guidelines and Human Responsibility
Australian Government’s AI Study – Treasury report on Microsoft 365 Copilot, estimating it pays for itself if it saves 13 minutes per week
Treasury M365 Copilot review estimates 13-minute efficiency gain needed to justify licence cost - Software - iTnews
California State University & AI – Providing 500,000 stuents access to ChatGPT Edu
https://openai.com/index/openai-and-the-csu-system/
Estonia’s AI Strategy – National AI policy giving all students access to AI tutors https://openai.com/index/estonia-schools-and-chatgpt/
Australia’s New National AI Centre Director – ex-podcast co-host Lee Hicken appointed to lead the centre. For those keeping count, that's the second of the podcast hosts that's now at NAIC, with current hosts Dan & Ray still waiting for the call 😂
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7306940399086903296/
Manus AI Release – A new AI system focused on reasoning and conversation
McKay Wrigley's X post
Research Papers Discussed
"From chalkboards to chatbots: Transforming learning in Nigeria, one prompt at a time" – World Bank blog on AI tutoring in Nigeria, claiming two years of learning gains in six weeks.
https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/education/From-chalkboards-to-chatbots-Transforming-learning-in-Nigeria
We discussed Ethan Mollick's LinkedIn post focusing on the multiple controlled experiments showing that students can be helped or harmed based on how they use AI
“AI Meets the Classroom: When Does ChatGPT Harm Learning?” – Study on ChatGPT’s impact on learning; found that using AI without explanations led to weaker long-term retention.
https://arxiv.org/pdf/2409.09047v1
“Generative AI Can Help Learning” – AI tutors improve test results but can hinder deeper learning if students rely too much on direct answers
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4895486
“Effective and Scalable Math Support: Experimental Evidence on the Impact of an AI- Math Tutor in Ghana” – AI tutor via WhatsApp in Ghana increased learning by the equivalent of one extra school year at $5 per student
https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/2402/2402.09809.pdf
“Generative AI in higher education: A global perspective of institutional adoption policies and guidelines” – Study on university AI policies worldwide; most encourage AI use but lack clarity on inclusivity and transparency
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666920X24001516