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 Connect with Thomas