AIcademia

In the season finale of the AI Academia Podcast, I dive into ChatGPT-4o's new image-generation powers. From GANs to diffusion models and LoRAs, I trace the evolution of AI art—and then showcase how OpenAI’s tool delivers photorealism, crisp text, and creative flexibility. I wrap it with practical ways educators can use it to boost lessons, design eye-catching visuals, and empower student creators.00:00 Introduction to AI Image Generation in Education01:23 The Evolution of AI Art: From GANs to Diffusion Models03:48 Specialist Models and Their Impact on Photography06:22 The Shift in Employment and Business Applications07:08 The New Native Image Generation Model11:31 Strengths and Features of the New Model15:21 Practical Applications in the Classroom17:01 Final Thoughts and Future Directions17:35 Conclusion and Season Wrap-Up

In this episode, I’ll be sharing a conversation I had with Andrew Weeks, a colleague in the music department at the school where I teach. Andy and I chat about a recent cross-departmental project we ran exploring the potential of AI-generated music and its likely impact on the music industry as a whole. It was a warm and thought-provoking conversation and I’m excited to share it with you.00:00 Introduction to the Episode00:40 Meet Andrew Weeks: Educator and Musician02:18 Balancing Teaching and Music Creation05:54 Adapting to Technological Advances in Music08:16 AI in Music Education: A New Challenge12:22 The Ethics and Impact of AI-Generated Music21:13 The Future of Music in the Age of AI44:50 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections51:37 Closing Remarks and Farewell

In this episode, I’ll be looking at the evolving dynamics of human-AI interaction, particularly in educational and workplace settings. I’ll demonstrate ‘Sesame’, a cutting-edge chatbot model which has taken the AI world by storm, and then we’ll explore how it is inevitable that our AI systems will come to look and sound more like us to the point where it might be hard to tell the difference between machine and human interactions.00:00 Introduction to AI Interaction00:39 Demonstration of Sesame's Chatbot05:31 Philosophical Discussion with Maya08:34 Implications of Advanced AI Interfaces11:13 Future of AI in Education and Society16:43 Challenges and Ethical Considerations28:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode I interview with Bailey Tuddennam, an alumnus of the school where I teach. Bailey, who is now working for a startup focused on designing autonomous kitchen modules for lunar and Mars habitats, discusses his cautious exploration of AI. We delve into the importance of integrating AI literacy into educational curricula, Bailey's journey since leaving Norwich School, his experiences at the University of Glasgow, and his thoughts on the evolving role of AI in various industries. The conversation covers how Bailey uses AI tools in his workflow, the challenges of maintaining academic integrity with AI, and the future of AI in creative and engineering fields.00:00 Introduction to the Episode00:51 Meet Bailey Tuddenham01:24 Bailey's Journey from School to University03:34 Working on Autonomous Kitchen Modules for Space06:56 The Role of AI in Bailey's Work13:15 AI in Education: Challenges and Opportunities36:21 The Future of AI and Robotics39:25 Conclusion and Final Though

In this episode I’ll be comparing two of the most recent fronteir LLMS to come to market - Grok 3 and Claude 3.7. I’ll explore the origins and philosophies behind both models, their functionality and I’ll be assessing their suitability for educators. And if you want to know what any of this has to do with the Sith and Jedi - then tune in!Link to SimTheory: https://simtheory.ai/00:00 Introduction to AI Academia Podcast00:43 Grok 3: The Sith Lord of AI03:22 Claude 3.7: The Jedi Path05:27 Comparing Costs and Accessibility09:18 Grok 3: Features and Limitations15:07 Claude 3.7: Features and Limitations19:53 Ethical Considerations and Risks23:49 Practical Advice for Educators24:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I explore the essay’s evolution as an assessment tool and its potential transformation with the advent of AI. Inspired by a LinkedIn post from Paul Matthews and an article on why students cheat by Richard Culatta, I’ll outline a practical 4 step process to help teachers adapt the essay writing process so it remains relevant in the 21st century.Link to Richard Culatta’s article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/real-way-stop-cheating-ai-world-richard-culatta-fogxc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of the Essay01:50 Historical Origins of the Essay03:58 The Modern Academic Essay04:56 AI and the Future of Essay Writing06:50 Addressing Academic Integrity in the Age of AI12:17 Practical Strategies for Adapting Essay Writing19:07 Conclusion: The Renaissance of the Essay

In this episode of AI Academia, I tackle the nine biggest misconceptions teachers have about artificial intelligence. I’ve made this recording with two types of listeners in mind - teachers who are on the fence and are holding back from exploring AI because they have reservations, and early adopters who might benefit from better understanding the reluctance expressed by some of their colleagues to adopt AI tools. Thanks to all those in the LinkedIn community who made suggestions which have been included in this recording.00:00 Introduction: Debunking AI Misconceptions in Education02:20 Misconception 1: AI is Just a Trend06:02 Misconception 2: AI Will Replace Teachers07:36 Misconception 3: AI Encourages Cheating10:20 Misconception 4: Using AI as a Teacher is Cheating13:14 Misconception 5: AI Requires Advanced Coding Skills15:06 Misconception 6: No Time to Learn About AI17:47 Misconception 7: AI Will Make Students Dumber21:32 Misconception 8: AI Encourages Excessive Screen Time23:41 Misconception 9: AI Can't Be Trusted29:23 Conclusion: Recap and Final ThoughtsLink to free catalogue of prompts for teachers: https://prompts-for-teachers-uoszciq.gamma.site/

In this episode I investigate the recent release of ‘deep research’ AI models and evaluate their suitability as tools for educators. I comment on the perceived pros and cons of these ‘agentic multi-step research tools’, summarise the outcome of spending a week trawling various articles and posts about the comparions between the models and describe three examples of reports I have created using Perplexity. Can ‘Deep research’ save teachers time? Is it the equivalent of ‘a PhD in your pocket’? Let’s dive in and find out!00:00 Introduction to Deep Research AI Models00:25 Evolution of Conversational AI01:31 The New Wave: Web-Enabled Agentic Reasoning Models02:05 Practical Applications in Education03:36 Major Players in Deep Research AI04:44 Advantages of Deep Research AI Tools07:14 Criticisms and Limitations10:27 Personal Experiences and Use Cases14:54 Recommendations for Educators17:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of AI Academia, I explore how artificial intelligence can be used to foster critical thinking in education by employing a modified version of the Socratic method. I discuss the importance of questioning in learning, drawing on resources such as 'Essential Questions' by Jay Mat Teague and Grant Wiggins, and 'Caitlin's Cookbook' by Steve Bertles. I share insights on how AI can be leveraged to engage students in deeper analysis and dialogue, using prompts to guide back-and-forth exchanges of ideas with the AI. The episode includes a detailed example using Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' to illustrate the process. Finally I issue a challenge so you can put this prompt to work with your own learners! (Essential Questions): https://tinyurl.com/mrytuyur(Caitlin’s Cookbook): https://cirl.etoncollege.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/01/Issue-1.pdfThe Prompt:‘You are an expert mentor and questioner. ‘I’m studying [subject] at [level] and want to deepen my understanding of [topic].Use the questioning method outlined below to help me test and refine my understanding. The objective is to encourage me to engage in critical thinking, to allow me to arrive at a clearer idea of my point of view and to broaden my understanding of the topic under study’You should only ask one question at a time and then wait for my response before moving onto the next phase of the question workflow.Here is the workflow which has 5 phases:#1 Start with the following open-ended question: ‘stem question’#2 Once I have responded, give some feedback by critically assessing my answer and then ask a probing question which requires me to provide evidence or specifics to support my claims.#3 Once I have provided plausible evidence or specifics, give some feedback by critically assessing my answer and then ask a question that encourages comparison or contrast with other relevant aspects of the topic.#4 Once I have responded, give some feedback by critically assessing my answer and then ask a follow-up question that connects the line of enquiry to the wider topic focus.#5 Once I have responded, give some feedback by critically assessing my answer and then state that you will now adopt the role of Devil’s Advocate and go on to propose a plausible contrarian position to the one I currently hold. Invite me to consider that position and either refute it or modify my response in the light of this alternative viewpoint.Finally offer a summary of the whole conversation which precisely and concisely captures the material covered in all 5 phases of the discussion and suggest three new lines of enquiry that might complement the topic under investigation.’00:00 Introduction to AI in Education00:27 The Importance of Questioning in Learning01:26 Key Resources for Enhancing Critical Thinking02:22 Reflecting on Teaching Practices06:39 Challenges in Modern Education07:30 Revisiting Effective Questioning Strategies09:11 Leveraging AI for Socratic Dialogue10:18 Implementing AI-Driven Questioning Workflow15:50 Example: Analyzing Prospero in The Tempest25:48 Adapting AI Prompts for Various Subjects26:32 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this week’s episode, I’m exploring the recent release of the Chinese large language model, DeepSeek R1. It’s an accessible overview of what makes this model so impressive, and why it has cost one US company 600 billion dollars in a single day! Along the way, I’ll be jargon-busting so you’ll have a better understanding of terms like ‘inference time compute’, and ‘open source models’.00:00 Introduction to DeepSeek R1 and Its Impact on Education00:56 Understanding DeepSeek R1: An Analogy01:52 The Founding and Development of DeepSeek02:18 What Makes DeepSeek R1 Unique?03:57 DeepSeek R1 in Action: A Demonstration06:23 Controversies and Questions Surrounding DeepSeek09:44 Open Source vs. Closed Models17:20 Global Implications and Reactions24:02 Future Prospects and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the AI Academia podcast, I ask whether current AI systems can create something truly original. We will consider:What does it mean to be creative?Is an AI system capable of genuine innovation?Does AI advancement threaten human creativity?How can we augment our workflow in our classrooms to maximise our creativity as educators?I conclude by offering 5 practical prompts that you can use immediately to enrich your lesson planning and delivery.00:00 Introduction: AI and Creativity00:23 Personal Reflections on Creativity01:34 Exploring AI and Creativity02:31 Defining Creativity04:04 Human vs. Machine Creativity04:41 AI's Role in Scientific Breakthroughs06:17 The Mysteries of Human Creativity08:01 AI's Creative Potential09:30 The Alternative Uses Test13:28 Stochastic Parroting and AI Limitations14:27 Humanizing AI and Creativity18:37 AI as a Creative Tool22:45 Kasparov and Centaur Chess26:40 Hybrid Creative Processes30:52 Practical AI Techniques for Educators35:20 Conclusion and Future Thoughts

In this episode of the AI Academia Podcast, I explore how to use AI generated tracks in your everyday teaching practice. Platforms like Suno and Udio allow educators to create original tracks quickly and affordably, making them useful for various classroom activities. I’ll share examples of how I’ve used songs to teach anything from times table memorization to exploring Shakespeare’s verse.I also discuss ethical considerations surrounding AI music and I conclude with a preview of a pilot project in which my Year 10 students will be taking part in the first AI Music competition in my school’s history!Suno: www.suno.comUdio: www.udio.com00:00 Introduction to AI Generated Music in Education00:43 Getting Started with AI Music Platforms03:11 Advanced Uses and Meta Prompting04:32 Practical Classroom Applications10:22 AI Music competition in my school11:35 The ethics of AI music - thorny questions13:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the AI Academia podcast, I share a practical workflow for using AI tools to assist students in performing rapid research tasks. I describe a lesson I taught to Year 10 students using large language models and Google’s NotebookLM to analyse a range of primary sources as quickly and efficiently as possible.Chat GPT Video Summariser: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-4MDJvo2TJ-video-summarizerNotebookLM: https://notebooklm.google/00:00 Introduction to AI-Enhanced Teaching01:40 Course Overview and Lesson Setup05:54 AI Tools and Research Methods11:06 Classroom Experience and Feedback13:58 Conclusion and Future Insights

In this episode I delve into the human tendency to anthropomorphize AI models and the potential risks associated with this behaviour. We explore why beetles mistake beer bottles for mates, why Hollywood robots tend to be androids and why we are inclined to see AI as sentient. I conclude with a call to educators to equip our students with the digital literacy skills needed to safely navigate the complexities of AI interactions.Anthropomorphism Research by Canfer Akbulut: https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AIES/article/view/31613/33780CASA Research by Nass, Steuer & Tauber: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221517042_Computer_are_social_actors00:00 Introduction: Humanizing AI00:26 The Beetle and the Bottle: A Curious Case01:47 Hollywood's Influence on AI Perception03:26 Clippy and the Tamagotchi effect05:58 The CASA Paradigm: Computers as Social Actors11:10 The Risks of Anthropomorphizing AI16:28 Educational Imperatives: Teaching AI Literacy20:21 Conclusion: Navigating the AI Landscape

In this episode of the AI Academy podcast, I ask whether advances in artificial intelligence pose a threat to teachers' jobs. Drawing on insights from a LinkedIn article by Chris Goodall, interviews with Khan Academy founder Sal Khan and an innovative programme launched by the David Game College in London last year, I discuss the role of teachers, the rapid development of AI, the quality and human connection in education, and the current state and future of the teaching profession. Chris Goodall’s LinkedIn article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-replace-teachers-chris-goodall-trode/Ed Mylett interview with Sal Khan: https://youtu.be/va5yW-6wHIs?si=Mt5T1AGLT4Vh9UYq00:00 Introduction: Are AI Advances a Threat to Teachers?01:51 Defining the Role of a Teacher05:01 AI's Rapid Development and Its Implications06:50 Current Educational Models: Fit for Purpose?14:34 Real-World Case Studies: AI in Education20:47 Conclusion: The Future of Teaching in an AI-Driven World

In this episode of the AI Academia podcast, I explore seven predictions for advancements in artificial intelligence by the end of 2025 and examine their potential implications for education. You can find out more about the AIcademia project at https://aicademia.co.uk/00:00 Introduction to AI Predictions for 202501:10 Advances in Frontier Models07:16 The Rise of AI Agents10:28 Exploring Multi-Modality in AI12:24 Custom Trained Models and Robotics13:55 The Quest for AGI15:28 Quantum Computing Breakthroughs16:44 Implications for Education18:50 Conclusion and Future Discussions

In the inaugural episode of the AI Academia Podcast, host Andy Fisher introduces himself and shares the motivations behind starting the podcast. Andy, a seasoned secondary school teacher from the UK, discusses his journey into AI, including his sabbatical research and early adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT. He outlines what listeners can expect from the podcast, such as insights into AI's impact on education, practical tutorials, and interviews with experts. Andy aims to prepare educators for the forthcoming changes in education driven by AI and to offer balanced viewpoints on the opportunities and risks associated with integrating AI into teaching practices.You can find out more about the AIcademia project at https://aicademia.co.uk/00:00 Introduction to the AI Academia Podcast00:33 Meet Your Host: Andy Fisher00:47 Career Journey and Teaching Experience02:19 Exploring AI and Its Impact on Education03:11 Launching the AI Course and Future Plans04:53 Purpose and Goals of the Podcast07:09 Upcoming Episodes and Final Thoughts