Navigating AI Ethics in Education with Rebecca Boltsma

In this episode of Innovating Education, Dr. Riley Williams is joined by Rebecca Bultsma, an AI ethics and education strategist and Chief Innovation Officer at Amplify and Elevate Innovation. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping classrooms and what it means to design AI-enabled systems that are ethical, equitable, and aligned with human values.Rebecca unpacks core issues such as student privacy, algorithmic bias, equitable access to AI tools, and the need for clear guardrails around AI use in schools. She offers practical guidance on recognizing bias in AI systems, balancing efficiency with human oversight, and confronting emerging risks like AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes, all while building AI literacy across school communities.Key takeaways:Why AI ethics must be embedded in any strategy for using AI in teaching and learning.How to spot and mitigate algorithmic bias and inequitable access when adopting AI tools.Approaches for balancing AI-powered efficiency with human judgment, relationships, and professional autonomy.Strategies for addressing AI-generated misinformation, deepfakes, and other emerging threats in K–12 and higher education.The importance of AI literacy, transparency, and fair, well-communicated AI policies for students, families, and staff.Connect with Rebecca Bultsma:Website: https://www.rebeccabultsma.com/For more conversations at the intersection of innovation, ethics, and learning, subscribe to Innovating Education and share this episode with a colleague who is navigating AI in their own context.