Designing Schools

In this solo episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai explores how leadership is evolving in the age of AI, not through technical mastery, but by cultivating clarity, trust, and shared intelligence. She introduces four transformative leadership personas, explains how AI is shifting from tool to teammate, and unpacks emerging research that paints a bold picture of what the world could look like in 2030. ⏱️ Times...

In this episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard explore groundbreaking findings from a study released by OpenAI and Anthropic on how people are really using AI tools like ChatGPT. From tutoring and personalized learning to writing assistance and decision-making, they break down what 700 million weekly users reveal about how AI is transforming everyday life. With special focus on education,...

This episode explores the evolving impact of AI on the job market, especially its disproportionate effects on younger workers and recent graduates. Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan analyze the recent paper  "Canaries in the Coal Mine" , revealing how automation and augmentation are reshaping employment trends and urging educational leaders to rethink how students are being prepared for an AI...

This week, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan explore the rapidly blurring boundaries between humans and machines, from emotional bonds with AI companions to the systemic divide between individual and institutional AI use. With thought-provoking stories, emerging research, and bold perspectives, they uncover how our emotional, educational, and professional systems are unprepared for the new AI-infused r...

In this episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan explore the evolving relationships people, especially students are forming with AI tools like ChatGPT-5 and other AI tools. From the surprising emotional reactions to AI model updates to the rise of AI-powered toys for children, they dissect what these developments mean for education, ethics, and the future of learning. This conversation challenges edu...

This episode unpacks the viral claim,  “AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows how to use it will,”  exploring its deeper implications. Sabba and Stefan discuss how cultivating high-agency learners and leaders — who can adapt, make decisions, and build trust — is far more critical than simply learning AI tools. With practical strategies and thought-provoking insights, the conversation chall...

In this episode of  Designing Schools , Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard explore the transformative shift from individual AI use to organizational deployment. They discuss Google's LearnLM principles, Gemini's enterprise tools, and how AI agents are changing the skills and mindset needed for leadership and collaboration. Through reflections, real-world examples, and critical insights, they o...

This episode explores how the evolving job market prioritizes AI fluency, adaptability, and mindset over traditional qualifications. Sabba and Stefan dissect recent research and reports, highlighting how education must adapt to prepare learners for a future where AI is a collaborator, not a cheat code. They also spotlight real-world education leaders and systems successfully navigating this transf...

This episode explores how emerging signals from viral LinkedIn posts to global entrepreneurship trends are revealing cracks in traditional education. Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan discuss the urgent need to move from robotic, standardized systems toward cultivating creativity, curiosity, and entrepreneurial thinking, especially as AI reshapes what it means to learn, lead, and connect. They share st...

In this powerful and provocative episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan explore the urgent implications of AI on education, employment, and democracy. They dissect recent comments by Anthropic's CEO, reflect on generational shifts in perceptions of higher education, and challenge educators to embrace change, not resist it. This is a call to action for reimagining learning, relevance, and agency...

In this week’s special episode, Sabba and Stefan dive into the newly released AI literacy framework from the European Commission and OECD. Highlighting its student-centered vision, they explore how this document finally sets a compelling standard for empowering learners with durable skills, agency, and real-world decision-making tools for an AI-driven future. Timestamps [00:00:00] Introducing the...

In this episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan discuss the surprising fears at the top of organizations, CEOs worried about their lack of AI strategy and technical confidence. Drawing from the latest research from Day Taku, Microsoft, and the OECD, they unpack how leadership, education, and AI integration intersect, revealing why successful change depends more on mindset and management than on tool...

This episode unpacks the viral claims that AI leadership doesn't exist yet and challenges that view by highlighting the real issue our resistance to change management and leadership development. Sabba and Stefan discuss how organizations can unlock real transformation by focusing on people, teams, and culture rather than just tools, while raising urgent questions about AI’s expanding role in s...

This week, Sabba and Stefan explore the increasingly blurred lines between AI as a companion, and AI as chatbot, and what's at stake for today's young people. With urgent reports from Common Sense Media and bold visions from tech giants like Microsoft, Google, and Visa, the conversation uncovers the stark contrasts and underlying truths shaping our AI-driven future. This episode is a call...

In this week’s episode, Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard dive deep into the implications of the latest U.S. executive orders on artificial intelligence, particularly in education. They explore how policy is setting a new tone for AI integration from K–12 to workforce development and highlight actionable guidance from states like Nevada. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for leadership,...

In this week's episode, Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard discuss the significant shifts AI is causing across education, particularly higher education. With the release of OpenAI’s latest models, they explore provocative scenarios, including whether universities can survive without radically reimagining their structures, curricula, and roles. Through candid conversations and real-world ex...

In this episode hosts Dr. Sabba Quidwai and Stefan Bauschard explore the cultural and strategic implications of the Shopify CEO’s provocative memo: “Before you ask for headcount, tell me why AI can't do it.” They unpack major updates from Google and OpenAI, offering a compelling case for why AI is redefining collaboration, creativity, and leadership. This isn’t just about new tools, it’s a call to...

In this episode, Sabba and Stefan dive into the rapid acceleration of AI technologies, spotlighting how tools like ChatGPT and Claude are transforming the educational landscape. They explore groundbreaking developments like agentic platforms, transparency in AI reasoning, and what it means for today’s students to be the “Class of AGI.” This is a forward-thinking conversation that challenges leader...

LinkedIn just named AI literacy the #1 fastest-growing skill in the U.S., but it’s not just about learning how to use tools, it’s about rethinking how we work, lead, and learn. In this episode, Sabba sits down with Ryan Findley, Chief Learning Officer at Learn to Win, to explore how AI can actually enhance our most human skills and why design thinking is essential in an AI-everywhere world. They a...

In this episode, Sabba and Stefan explore how artificial intelligence isn't abruptly replacing jobs, but instead quietly transforming them task by task. They dive into the capabilities of OpenAI’s new image and video generators, the blurred lines around creative ownership, and the power of AI-enhanced teams. The conversation emphasizes the need for AI literacy, design thinking, and a reimagini...

In this episode, the hosts dive into a student’s quote about the transformative power of debate and use it as a launchpad to explore what instruction should look like in a world heading rapidly toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). They unpack insights from the recent Nvidia GTC keynote, discuss educational failures in preparing for AI, and spotlight Desert Sands Unified School District’s...

AI isn’t waiting. Institutions are. For the past year, schools, governments, and businesses have been stuck in a waiting game, waiting for guidelines, waiting for tools, waiting for certainty. Meanwhile, AI researchers and tech companies aren’t waiting at all. They have total confidence in what their machines can do. They believe AI will reason, plan, and solve problems better than humans. And the...

What if students had a say in designing the future of education? In this episode, we hand them the mic. High schoolers from Gary Heidt's Innovation Lab are challenging outdated school systems, questioning AI bans, and rethinking what learning should look like. They’re not waiting for the future to happen to them, they’re building it. What’s Inside: 🎤 What is a Protopian future? (And why stude...

AI is advancing at a pace that is hard to keep up with - ChatGPT, Claude, and others keep releasing updates, and the pressure to “keep up” is overwhelming. But here’s the thing: most people don’t want to believe this is happening. Not because they don’t understand AI, but because they  hope  it’s not real. In this episode, we break down: Why AI isn’t just about tools—it’s about reimagining what’s...

With AI models evolving at an overwhelming pace, how do you stay ahead without feeling constantly behind? This week, we break down the latest AI updates—including Claude, Grok, and the upcoming ChatGPT improvements—and share practical strategies for filtering the noise, staying informed, and making AI work for you. Topics Covered: Filtering the AI Overload:  How to assess new models with benchmark...