AI can give you reps. It can't teach you how to play.

In this episode we explore what AI can and cannot do when it comes to helping young people prepare for hard conversations. Starting with a story about Gen Z workers using ChatGPT to rehearse salary negotiations and workplace conflict, we contrast that with the “spirit of the game” in ultimate Frisbee, where players are expected to resolve disagreements themselves in real time.From there, we ask a bigger question for schools: if students need AI to simulate difficult conversations, what does that reveal about the kinds of learning experiences we are — and are not — designing for them?Topics covered:How Gen Z is using ChatGPT to rehearse difficult conversationsWhat ultimate Frisbee’s “spirit of the game” can teach us about school designWhy schools may not be giving students enough practice with real disagreementThe difference between AI role-play and real interpersonal fluencyWhat classroom teachers should ask before using AI conversation toolsWhat district leaders should consider when evaluating these toolsWhy civility and conflict resolution have to be designed into learning environmentsThe risks of relying on AI before students have authentic practice in real human situations