Ep 12 - AI and the next ‘Internet Moment’ for schools, with Al Kingsley MBE (part 1)

This is a 2 part episode with Al Kinglsey MBE. - In this part of the episode we discuss: People compare AI as we see it now, to the early days of the internet. Do you agree with that analogy? And if this really is like “day one of the internet”, what does the potential fast paced nature of technological progress in the next few years mean for schools and colleges? What are the risks for schools that ignore this or move too slowly? Conversely, what are the dangers of rushing in without thinking? How do you strike that balance between curiosity and caution? Schools don’t want to feel left behind, but equally they don’t want to be pushing boundaries towards dangerous and unknown territories. What’s already here that educators haven’t clocked yet? What are the biggest ethical questions education needs to wrestle with? What does responsible adoption actually look like? People struggle to grasp exponential change. How is AI a good example of that? What’s something that felt impossible two years ago that’s now routine? How quickly is it being baked into everyday software? How does AI challenge what we currently mean by “independent work”? What happens to homework, coursework and essays? Does AI force us to rethink assessment models? Could AI widen gaps or help close them? What’s at stake for disadvantaged pupils? If we fast-forward five years, what will classrooms actually look like? And what will teachers still be doing that machines can’t? What skills will matter more than ever? What becomes more important in teachers’ roles? What do you think we’ll laugh about that currently scares us? What should worry us? What’s the one assumption about education that AI is about to break? What excites you most right now? What’s one question every school should be asking itself? What prediction about AI would sound ridiculous now but might be normal in five years?