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Gen Z's AI Reality

AI in Education Podcast

Release Date: 06/13/2025

Not Cheating - Learning: Students on Using AI Ethically show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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? show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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 show art 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,...

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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 - Australia’s "From Gen Z to Gen AI" and Jisc’s UK-based "Student Perceptions of AI 2025" - this episode reveals how students are using AI, what they’re worried about, and why institutions need to catch up.

Links:

UK Government's Policy Paper "Generative AI in Education"

OpenAI releases o3-pro (Model Release Notes) and slashes the cost of o3-pro for developers, compared to o1-pro

OpenAI forced to retain all conversation logs by the New York Times lawyers, and details of OpenAI's response

Meta.ai privacy approach - so far, only covered by Crikey

Energy/water usage of ChatGPT

In Sam Altman's blog  he said "the average query uses about 0.34 watt-hours, about what an oven would use in a little over one second, or a high-efficiency lightbulb would use in a couple of minutes." (about the same as a Google search)

Dr Karen Boyd's excellent blog post we discussed: "Ethics & LLMs: Sustainability" which also contains the great comparison charts for electricity and water use for common activities.

Details on Karen's upcoming book, Amplify Good Work

Research on students' AI attitudes and use

Dr Anna Denejkina's research "From Gen Z to GenAI: The impact, opportunities and challenges of Generative AI for young Australians"

JISC's research "Student Perceptions of AI 2025", from Sue Attewell