Bill Gates podcast (Unconfuse) with Sal Khan on the integration of AI into Khan Academy

 A half-hour episode (11th August 2023) of Unconfuse with Bill Gates who speaks to Sal Khan on the integration of AI into Khan Academy as Khanmigo.

Discussed origin of Khan Academy and summarised how Khan Academy is now used in schools to provide for learning. Teachers assist with initial working through, focus on sorting out pinch points and supporting the reflective learning process.

Also discussed the rapid improvement of Gen AI with its possibilities for supporting education and how Sal worked through to realise its application. Promoted the use of AI to further support individualised / personalised learning. 

Also presented the challenges, cost, inaccuracies etc. and the work undertaken in the development of Khanmigo. This has 'parameters' to make it safer for use in schools along with reflecting on how to best use it to encourage learner engagement and deeper learning. Khanmigo is able to work with individuals, and groups (to increase social constructivism). Allows for teacher directed learning activities along with the learning analytics to understand learner progress. Khanmigo is therefore a teacher assistant in a classroom, the teacher being a 'conductor' and learners working to their own learning journey. 

AI improves feedback more thoroughly to improve writing for learners. However, learners will need feedback literacy to leverage off AI capabilities. 

Good to listen to the human dimension from leading thinkers in IT and hear how both consider the merits, challenges and possibilities of AI and its contributions towards personalised education for all. 

Sal Khan - How AI could save (not destroy) education

 Another inspirational video from Sal Khan of Khan Academy.

He provides a pathway for all educators to take heed. Content is no longer the focus of education and has not been for many decades. Its the skills required to evaluate and utilise content which are the keys to the future. A future whereby AI is poised to take over 300 million jobs and change the nature of work for billions. The use of AI as a personalised learning tool is one way to democratise education and to provision education for all with access to digital devices and infrastructure. 

AI may not take all jobs - including those which require those which are really creative, those requiring the deployment of complex interpersonal skills and relationships, and jobs that require mobility, dexterity and problem solving abilities (i.e. may craft trades).

Khan academy already provisions opportunities to use it for personalised practice and mastery, especially of STEAM skills at the compulsory / foundational school levels. These fundamental skills of literacy and numeracy along with the conceptual understanding of our the world works, are essential for all to springboard from when working with AI agents. Otherwise, AI generated content becomes uncritically accepted and this will lead to a decline in critical thinking. Thinking is a deliberate and learned act, therefore, practice essential in ensuring that foundational skills are well embedded before relying on AI generated solutions.