In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, Dan and Ray dive into the latest developments shaping the future of AI in learning environments - from vocational colleges to elite universities. All the links to items and research discussed are below! News Australia's Future Skills Organisation and Microsoft launched the FSO Skills Accelerator-AI partnership https://www.futureskillsorganisation.com.au/skills-accelerator-ai/ Microsoft Elevate https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/07/09/elevate Google commits US$1bn for AI training at US universities https://www.innovationaus.com/google-commits-us1bn-for-ai-training-at-us-universities/ CAUDIT Top Ten 2025 https://www.caudit.edu.au/resources/2025-top-ten-report/ South Korea pulls plug on AI textbooks https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10546695 Consumer news reporting on AI in Education ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-13/artificial-intelligence-in-the-classroom-education/105638698 Channel 9 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGUygg-q0ok https://www.9news.com.au/national/artificial-intelligence-in-schools-productivity-commission-report-national-push-for-teachers-to-use-gen-ai/4e9016dd-5de0-48de-ab64-f637adfbed53 Productivity Commission report that highlights the use of AI in education, including to reduce teacher workload https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/adaptable-workforce/interim New DFE AI guidance for schools https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/generative-artificial-intelligence-in-education/generative-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-education Ofsted's findings on AI in Education https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/ai-in-schools-and-further-education-findings-from-early-adopters/the-biggest-risk-is-doing-nothing-insights-from-early-adopters-of-artificial-intelligence-in-schools-and-further-education-colleges Research AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning: an RCT introducing a novel research-based design in an authentic educational setting https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-97652-6 AI tools used by English councils downplay women’s health issues Original paper: https://bmcmedinformdecismak.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12911-025-03118-0 News reporting: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/11/ai-tools-used-by-english-councils-downplay-womens-health-issues-study-finds
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Gen Z to Gen AI: What Students Really Think – with Dr Anna Denejkina
In this episode of the AI in Education Podcast, hosts Dan and Ray welcome back one of their favourite researchers, Dr Anna Denejkina, to unpack her latest study, "Gen Z to Gen AI: The impact, opportunities and challenges of Generative AI for young Australians". This Insight Centre and Student Edge research collaboration, on the use and attitudes to AI by students, explores how young Australians are adopting generative AI, and what they really think about it. From career pivots and skill confidence gaps to plagiarism misconceptions, Dr Denejkina shares powerful insights into the realities behind the headlines. Discover why 30% of Gen Z students are rethinking their career plans, how gender influences AI confidence, and why students are asking for clear, practical guidance on what is, and isn’t, acceptable AI use. The conversation also covers deepfakes, creative industry disruption, and how students themselves are calling for more inclusive and representative decision-making in AI development. If you've ever wondered "How do students use AI?", then this is the episode (and podcast series!) for you.
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AI Study Mode, Super Tools & Future Jobs
This episode covers a massive amount of AI-related news and research, especially developments over the past week, including ChatGPT's new "study mode," major platform announcements from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, generative video and music tools, and the implications of AI on jobs and education. The episode also highlights a new Stanford GenAI for Education hub and discusses current AI policy and access initiatives globally. News ChatGPT Study Mode: https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-study-mode/ Simon Willison info on the system prompt for Study Mode: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jul/29/openai-introducing-study-mode/ Dr Philippa Hardman's LinkedIn post on Study Mode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-philippa-hardman-057851120_as-a-member-of-openais-educator-advisor-ugcPost-7356234831929696256-OF6k Google announced “Guided Learning” mode for Gemini https://blog.google/products/gemini/google-ai-pro-students-learning/ Open models by OpenAI https://openai.com/open-models/ Google released Gemini Storybooks https://gemini.google/overview/storybook/ ElevenLabs dropped a new multi-lingual music generation model https://elevenlabs.io/music OpenAI giving ChatGPT Enterprise to every US Federal Government department for $1 a year https://openai.com/index/providing-chatgpt-to-the-entire-us-federal-workforce/ Microsoft Copilot released for 13+ students https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/EducationBlog/microsoft-365-copilot-chat-for-students-13/4412957 18 months. 12,000 questions. A whole lot of anxiety. What I learned from reading students’ ChatGPT logs https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/27/it-wants-users-hooked-and-jonesing-for-their-next-fix-are-young-people-becoming-too-reliant-on-ai The Presidential AI Challenge https://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/ Research GenAI for Education Hub at Stanford University https://scale.stanford.edu/genai/repository Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.07935 Prompting Science Report 3: I'll pay you or I'll kill you - but will you care? https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5375404
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Not Cheating - Learning: Students on Using AI Ethically
In this eye-opening episode of the podcast, hosts Ray and Dan are joined by a remarkable group of students from All Hallows School in Queensland. Part of the student-led series 12, this conversation dives into how teens are really using AI in their schoolwork. And it’s far more sophisticated than you might think. From using Gemini and ChatGPT to find historical sources and generate study guides, to marking their own assignments with AI before submission, these students aren’t cutting corners. They talk openly about how they’re finding smarter ways to learn. The discussion explores ethical concerns like plagiarism, cheating, and data privacy, as well as creative uses of AI in coding, English, and even video production.
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From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education
From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education In this solo news and research roundup, Ray covers some of the biggest recent stories in AI and education – from high-profile case studies to practical tools for teachers and real concerns from students. Links for what’s in this week's episode: New AI training modules for Australian teachers Education Services Australia has released a set of lesson-ready resources to help teachers guide students in safe, effective AI use – including interactive activities and a certificate aligned with AITSL standards. https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/ai/professional-learning/gen-ai-readiness-and-implementation-modules/#GenAI_Module2 Harvard Business School’s chatbot tutor A deep dive into how Harvard embedded a custom AI tutor into its accounting course – used by 75% of students, with a surprising impact on learning and classroom discussion. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/ai-tutor-bots-harvard-business-school Student appeals and the limits of AI detection tools The UK’s higher ed ombudsman has warned universities about relying too heavily on detection software, especially when it comes to vulnerable student groups. OIA article: https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/latest-news-and-updates/oia-publishes-a-casework-note-and-case-summaries-about-artificial-intelligence-ai-and-academic-misconduct/ Case summaries: https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/case-summaries/ TES Report: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/students-win-plagiarism-appeals-over-generative-ai-detection-tool ASBA AI Preparedness Survey - June 2025 A recent survey of 50 independent schools shows most are still playing catch-up on AI governance, staff training, and clear policies. https://www.asba.asn.au/public/265/files/National/ASBA%20AI%20Preparedness%20Survey%20Report%20-%20June%202025(1).pdf NSW Auditor report on universities for 2024 https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Final%20report%20-%20Universities%202024.pdf Canvas and ChatGPT join forces Instructure has announced native AI integration into Canvas LMS, including AI-powered assignments that track learning progress directly into the gradebook. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/instructure-and-openai-announce-global-partnership-to-embed-ai-learning-experiences-within-canvas-302511709.html Scientists reportedly hiding AI text prompts in academic papers to receive positive peer reviews Reports emerge of researchers embedding hidden prompts into papers to game AI peer review tools. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Artificial-intelligence/Positive-review-only-Researchers-hide-AI-prompts-in-papers https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/14/scientists-reportedly-hiding-ai-text-prompts-in-academic-papers-to-receive-positive-peer-reviews What students really think New surveys from the UK and Australia show that students are keen to use AI, but feel underprepared and unsupported. They want more guidance – not just for study, but for their future careers. UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parent-pupil-and-learner-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2024-to-2025/parent-pupil-and-learner-voice-march-2025#sec-gen-ai Australia: https://aiinhe.org/
Dan Bowen and Ray Fleming are experienced education renegades who have worked in many various educational institutions and educational companies across the world. They talk about Artificial Intelligence in Education - what it is, how it works, and the different ways it is being used. It's not too serious, or too technical, and is intended to be a good conversation.
Please note the views on the podcast are our own or those of our guests, and not of our respective employers (unless we say otherwise at the time!)
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