Learning Curve

On this episode, Jeff talks with two prominent artists with different takes on AI. One experimental artist sees her students doing new kinds of work thanks to AI, and a celebrated science-fiction author argues AI is sold as a shortcut that takes away human agency and encourages a form of plagiarism masked by technology. Related links: New Learning Curve web app to help hone your thinking on the ep...

A series of town halls aimed to explore how AI could be adopted across Baltimore in positive ways. Led by an unusual center at the University of Baltimore, the forum brought together city officials, local business leaders, folks from community organizations, professors, and just curious people in the community. Is it a model for educators bring AI literacy to a broader community? AI Personas Brief...

On this episode, Jeff talks to a veteran college enrollment official who is leading an AI experiment at his university, and an admissions consultant who has changed her mind about what she advises applicants about using AI. Related links: “ Should AI score admissions essays? ” by Jeff Young in The Chronicle of Higher Education “ I’m a college admissions counselor. I’ve changed my mind about studen...

This episode dives into the experiences of Chief AI officers at universities, including some misadventures and lessons learned. “ I’m an ‘AI Czar.’ This is the Role, ” by Jeffrey Bardzell. "AI-Enhanced Pedagogies: Rethinking Learning, Curriculum, and Human Potential in the Age of Intelligent Machines, ” by Alexander (Sasha) Sidorkin. " The Rise — and Fall? — of the AI Czar, " in The Chronicle of H...

A new paper warns of the dangers of people blindly adopting AI results in what researchers call "cognitive surrender." The lead author believes that with careful adoption, AI can improve education and boost learning. But he says the stakes are high for getting AI right in teaching.   "Thinking—Fast, Slow, and Artificial: How AI is Reshaping Human Reasoning and the Rise of Cognitive Surrender," by...

For this episode we're focusing on how liberal arts colleges are adapting to AI. On a recent day at Carleton College, two very different lunch conversations among faculty reveal the variety of views on whether and how to use AI in teaching.  Thanks to our sponsor, Studiosity “ The Hottest College Majors in the AI Age Just Might Be in the Liberal Arts, ” in Inc. Carleton College LTC Targeted Audien...

For this episode Jeff headed to Washington, DC to sit down with Mark Fisher, the director of a new center at Georgetown University exploring the intersection of AI and democratic citizenship. Fisher points out that democracy has changed before as new tech tools emerged. And he says scholars from many disciplines will need to team up to meet the challenges of this moment. “ Guarding Democracy in th...

What does it mean to teach art and design when free AI tools can generate sophisticated images in just a few seconds?  For this episode we’re diving into that big question. And to do that we’ll hear two stories where students used AI for design – one that led to celebration, and another that sparked controversy.  And we’ll hear from a leader at one of the nation’s leading art and design colleges w...

For this episode Jeff connected with Evan Ratliff, who created what he calls “the world’s first AI-led startup” to see what happens when AI agents run a company. Shell Game podcast , by Evan Ratliff. " Silicon Valley’s New Obsession: Watching Bots Do Their Grunt Work," in The Wall Street Journal.   EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning...

A growing number of experts are making the case for requiring students from middle school to college to do more rote memorization — of poems, dates, capitals, and more — to respond to rise of generative AI. "2024 USA Memory Championship (LIVE STREAM)," on YouTube . " Everyday Genius, " by Nelson Dellis. "The Memory Paradox: Why Our Brains Need Knowledge in an Age of AI," on ArXiv . EPISODE CREDITS...

Can thinking the public narrative around robot cars help educators think about the fast-rising trend of generative AI? For this episode, Jeff talked with two experts with books on how to think about teaching and AI — and put them in debate about key differences in their approaches. Books, articles and podcasts mentioned: “ Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning, ” by Jo...

During the ICE surge in Minneapolis, AI is playing a role in this tense and unfolding story, specifically how it is contributing to misinformation. What can educators do to prepare students, and any of us, for this new information landscape where AI is increasingly a factor. Jeff visited the University of Minnesota’s journalism school and talked with a professor who is exploring the role of AI in...

Last week the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing about potential legislation banning kids under 13 from using social media. Australia has a new law keeping kids under 16 off the technology. What about new AI tools? Should regulations enforce age limits — and is that even possible given how embedded the tech is becoming? Senate Commerce Committee Hearing, " Plugged Out: Examining the Imp...

In the past few months new AI tools known as “Agentic AI” have emerged. These new browsers let users deploy AI assistants that can surf the web on their behalf. While they were designed to do things like book airline tickets or schedule meetings, students can use the tools to have the bot log into learning management systems to take quizzes for them. Anna Mills, a longtime English instructor, has...

Matt Boudinot’s AI explainer videos and his Auto Service Soft Skills Garage . A super-short version of this episode that ran on APM’s Marketplace. "The Best of Car Talk: Some Noises Are Better Than Others, ” on NPR. EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Productions LLC

" 1 in 5 high schoolers has had a romantic AI relationship, or knows someone who has, " NPR.  “ How many hours does it take to make a friend?, ” research by this week’s guest Jeff Hall. “ Chatbots Can Go Into a Delusional Spiral. Here’s How It Happens, ” in The New York Times. Talk out the Thomas Jefferson chatbot discussed on this episode. “ Programmed for Love ,” an article I wrote for The Chron...

“ Editorial: AI-proof the Core Curriculum The Core Curriculum is an essential part of a Catholic education that must be saved from AI, ” in The Observer, the student newspaper at Notre Dame. LinkedIn post by David Griffith about the student newspaper editorial. AI Is Coming for the Consultants. Inside McKinsey, ‘This Is Existential.’ in The Wall Street Journal "Should Instructors Ask Students to S...

More on Bryan Alexander’s forthcoming book, “ Peak Higher Education. ” “ The Diamond Age, ” by Neal Stephenson.  “ Dual Enrollment Leads to More College Acceptances, Greater Financial Awards, ” in Inside Higher Education. “ Should College Become Part of High School? ” on the EdSurge Podcast. Bryan Alexander’s Future Trends Forum. EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by...

In the Know , the podcast of the University of Minnesota's student newspaper, The Minnesota Daily. " Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College, " in New York magazine.   EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Productions LLC

Demo of Sara Cochran’s AI avatar, University of Virginia website Sora and Vibes: AI Video Now Officially Going After Social Media, Platformer EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Productions LLC

“The Professors Are Using ChatGPT, and Some Students Aren’t Happy About It,” by Kashmir Hill in The New York Times. Northeastern University’s AI use policy . “Automated Essay Writing: An AIED Opinion,” by Mike Sharples in the International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education. EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Produ...

DukeGPT “Everyone Is Cheating Their Way Through College” in New York Magazine . EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Productions LLC

The Disengaged Teen , by Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson  “Minnesota high school student weighs the benefits and pitfalls of AI,” Minnesota Now “I’m a High Schooler. AI Is Demolishing My Education,” The Atlantic Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education website ‘We Have to Really Rethink the Purpose of Education,’ The Ezra Klein Show . EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff...

Watch Matter and Space's video discussed in this episode,  " Butterflies " Read Maha Bali's blog . EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by Jeff Young Music by Komiku ©Copyright 2026 Learning Curve Productions LLC

The viral research paper that started it all: “ Attention Is All You Need. ” Mutlu Cukurova's paper discussed in this episode, “ The Interplay of Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Vision for Hybrid Intelligence. ” Brian Christensen's “ The Most Human Human. ” Apple Intelligence ad discussed in this episode: Writing Tools. EPISODE CREDITS:  Reported and produced by...