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This week I have for you:

• Article: Competition is a great motivator
• Video: Competition is a great motivator
• My 5 point summary of the UNESCO guidance for generative AI in education and research

In the coming months I will be travelling to deliver professional development in schools, colleges and universities. 

I have some days free. If you are in the following places and would like to enquire about AI in education PD for your organisation or event, get in touch now before I'm booked up:

🇭🇰 Hong Kong (and surrounding countries)
🇺🇸 Florida
🇺🇸 Texas
🇩🇪 Germany
🇭🇺 Hungary
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 London
🇳🇴 Norway
🇳🇱 Netherlands

Find out more at pd.theaieducator.io

This week I'm excited to be working with:

• Mill Hill School, London
• Hazelwood School, Surrey
• British School Muscat, Oman
• Ravenscourt Park Prep School, London
• Findel Education, Manchester

If this is your first TAIE newsletter then check out the back catalogue for free at newsletter.theaieducator.io

Competition is a great motivator

Generative AI in education is an overhyped gimmick.

That's what I told myself last year when testing it out for the first time.

Turns out, I was just too early.

After spending every day for nine months researching it, implementing it and teaching others, I've witnessed the transformative power it is having.

And now, I see clearly.

AI will bring about competition for the education system that it has never experienced before.

Watch me chatting about the themes in this video 👇

Want more? Let's keep going.

We are witnessing the decentralisation of education.

Companies who are education providers are normally for adults or they work with organisations such as further education colleges.

There is a new type of education provider...

Companies providing cutting-edge education to school age children - supercharged with cutting edge AI!

Here's an example 👇

As more and more children and their parents become disenfranchised with traditional education, schools like synthesis will become a realistic alternative. 

Synthesis have just unveiled their new AI tutor.

The market is ripe. 

Could the next trillion dollar company be an educational provider?

I think so.

Why does this matter?

Competition can destroy an industry. 

The worst case scenario is that it destroys the education system. 

But there is hope...

When competition knocks at the door an industry has a choice to innovate or die.

The traditional education system has the same choice. 

Here's a brief breakdown of some of the negative and positive impacts of competition could have on education:

OK, that's the positives and negatives for the current system. 

Here are my three reasons why I think this disruption is good for our children:

1. Linear Progression is Outdated: Traditional education, with its predictable stages and one-size-fits-all approach, has operated on a linear trajectory for too long. In a world that's becoming increasingly complex and non-linear, there's a pressing need for more dynamic, adaptable learning models.
2. Skill Relevance: The job market and the world at large are screaming for skills that many traditional schools aren't prioritizing: adaptability, problem-solving, and collaboration. With AI-driven platforms focusing on these skills, we're at risk of creating a generation ill-equipped for the future.
3. Equity and Access: The emergence of private educational platforms can widen the gap between those who can afford this new form of education and those who cannot. This divide can lead to greater societal inequities if not addressed.

I am a huge believer that the education system must survive. 

Not as it currently is.

But a transformed system.

I believe this mainly for one reason: Equity.

A decentralised education provision will still consist of children from families who cannot afford education from a company (no matter how low-cost it is), they still need a quality and relevant education. 

Also, there will also be children who need extra support and additional services - this cannot disappear. 

13 years ago I spent time working in education in west Kenya. Anyone who can afford private education sent their children to a private school. 

Those who couldn't (which was most people, even though it was relatively low cost) sent their children to a state school that lacked a lot of basic provision.

I fear this could happen in a decentralised education world. 

Some solutions for the traditional system

Embrace AI and technological solutions:

• Integrate AI Tools: Use AI-driven tools to personalise learning and better cater to individual student needs.
• Offer Online Modules: Blend traditional classroom teaching with online modules to provide a diverse learning experience.
• Continual Teacher Training: Regularly update educators on the latest technological advancements and methodologies.

Redefine Skill Priorities:

• Focus on Soft Skills: Emphasise communication, collaboration and critical thinking in the curriculum.
• Real-World Problem Solving: Incorporate real-world scenarios and challenges into learning. Better still get the students into the world to solve them.
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Break the silos of subjects and encourage integrated learning.

Ensure Inclusivity and Equity:

• Subsidise Tech Access: Ensure that all students, regardless of economic background, have access to necessary technologies.
• Community Partnerships: Collaborate with tech companies and community organisations to provide resources and opportunities.
• Open Source Learning: Promote and develop open-source learning platforms and resources that are accessible to all.

Going Further? Three More Insights:

1. Stay Informed: The landscape of education is changing rapidly. Regularly read up on the latest in educational technology and AI developments.
2. Encourage Local Innovation: Don't wait for top-down changes. Encourage local schools and communities to pilot new programs and integrate new tools.
3. Parental Engagement: Parents play a crucial role in the evolution of education. Engage them, educate them about the changes, and involve them in the decision-making process.

Here's the bottom line: 

The educational landscape is on the brink of a seismic shift. 

As stakeholders, from educators to parents to policymakers, we have a choice. We can either be passive spectators and risk being swept away or be proactive architects of a brighter, more inclusive educational future. 

The clock is ticking. 

The choice is yours.

Our Facebook AI Educator Community Has Reached 25,000 Members!

The UNESCO guidance for generative AI in education and research [Sep 23]

1. The Speed vs. Ethics Conundrum: GenAI is racing ahead, sprinting at a pace our policies and regulations can't match. Every piece of content it creates nudges at the boundaries of privacy, accountability, and intellectual rights. The message? Hurry. We're playing catch up.
2. The Widening Digital Gap: It's the same familiar faces at the helm - a select few tech giants. And they're mostly in the Global North. The result? The risk of sidelining the Global South's voices. GenAI, in the wrong hands, could amplify inequalities, not bridge them.
3. A Double-Edged Learning Sword: GenAI in education is like a shiny new toy. It can aid, but it can also overwhelm. If we lean too heavily on it, we might just find our critical thinking muscles atrophying. What we need is a balance. Let's champion human skills—creativity, ethics, discernment.
4. The Regulatory Void: Here's the stark truth. Most countries are in the dark when it comes to GenAI regulations. We need laws. We need ethics. We need public involvement. It's not just about creation; it's about safeguarding the creators.
5. The Blueprint for Responsible Use: How do you harness GenAI without succumbing to its pitfalls? Institutions need a roadmap. Ethical guidelines, human-first interactions, and evidence-driven practices are the way forward.

To sum it up, GenAI is not just a tool—it's a responsibility. It offers immense promise, but it demands our vigilance. For it to truly benefit humanity, we need to place people at its heart. Ethical, equitable, and intellectually enriching—that's the GenAI future we should strive for.