Riding the First AI Wave: A Teacher Roundtable

In this special episode, co-host Cyndi Burnett turns the microphone toward fellow host Matthew Worwood to discuss his latest Teacher Roundtable film, Riding the First AI Wave. As the second installment in the Teacher Roundtable series, this project captures another pivotal moment in education—this time focused on the early reactions of educators to the emergence of generative AI. The episode opens with a short interview in which Matthew shares what inspired him to document how teachers responded to the release of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022. He discusses the range of emotions—from curiosity to cautious optimism—that shaped educators’ first experiences with large language models. Following the interview, listeners are invited to experience the roundtable film itself. Riding the First AI Wave features a candid and thought-provoking conversation among six voices—K–12 teachers, university faculty, and undergraduate students—reflecting on the evolving impact of AI on teaching and learning. The film opens with personal reflections on encountering ChatGPT for the first time, offering insight into the uncertainty and excitement that followed. The conversation then explores how generative AI is reshaping classrooms and institutions. Two powerful teaching scenarios guide the group through the ethical complexities of AI integration, offering a rich dialogue on what it means to teach and learn in an AI-powered world. Key Topics Covered: Educator and student reactions to ChatGPT’s release The shifting role of teachers in the age of AI Opportunities and challenges in AI-assisted learning Ethical considerations of AI use in the classroom Real-world teaching scenarios and the future of education Watch the full roundtable film and explore additional resources at: www.teacherroundtables.com.