EdTechSR Ep 346 AI Hallucinations & Hardware

Welcome to episode 346 (“AI Hallucinations & Hardware”) of the EdTech Situation Room from February 5, 2025, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) dug deep into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, comparing Google’s Gemini 2.0, ChatGPT-4o, Claude, and DeepSeek to assess their strengths, hallucination issues, and classroom use cases. The hosts also examined the looming Windows 10 end-of-life deadline and what it means for schools, legacy devices, and digital sustainability. Other highlights included the dual-use implications of drone technology in education and conflict, growing concerns about AI-driven robocalls, and the implications of shifting US-China tech trade policy. As always, the show concluded with their “Geeks of the Week,” featuring home automation projects and ethical explorations of AI tools in education. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Google launches new AI models and brings ‘thinking’ to Gemini (TechCrunch, 5 Feb 2025)
  10. Elon Musk Wants to Get Operational Control of the Treasury’s Payment System. This Could Not Possibly Be More Dangerous (Nathan Tankus, 3 Feb 2025) 
  11. China opens Google antitrust probe in retaliation to tariffs (The Verge 4 Feb 2025)
  12. Microsoft has a big Windows 10 problem, and it’s running out of time to solve it (ZDnet, 4 Feb 2025)
  13. Robocallers posing as FCC staff blocked after robocalling real FCC staff (ArsTechnica, 5 Feb 2025)
  14. Drone locates missing hiker at Crowders Mountain State Park (WBTV Charlotte, NC: 3 Feb 2025)
  15. Drones are now launching drones to attack other drones in Ukraine (ArsTechnica, 4 Feb 2025) 
  16. Shein and Temu depend on a 100-year-old tariff loophole that Trump wants to close (The Verge, 3 Feb 2025)
  17. Jason’s Geek of the Week: https://developers.home-assistant.io/docs/operating-system/ 
  18. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: AI Chatbot Ethics  – Sharing Mastodon Lists
EdTechSR Ep 346 AI Hallucinations & Hard” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 345 TikTok, Tech & Trust

Welcome to episode 345 (“TikTok, Tech & Trust”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 22, 2025, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) examined the political and educational ramifications of the recent TikTok ban—and its sudden reversal. They explored data privacy, digital trust, and youth resistance, alongside broader national security concerns. The hosts shared personal experiments with AI voice cloning, Raspberry Pi-based smart home systems, and browser extensions that enhance privacy and AI access. Wes recounted an AI-fueled snow day project that turned brisket fat into a business plan, while Jason showcased tools like 11 Labs and Glarity for automated content analysis. The conversation also emphasized the importance of mental health, educator community, and media literacy as foundational skills in today’s volatile tech landscape. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Trump rescinds Biden’s executive order on AI safety in attempt to diverge from his predecessor (AP, 22 Jan 2025)
  10. Anthropic chief says AI could surpass “almost all humans at almost everything” shortly after 2027 (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025)
  11. Jason Clones His Voice with ElevenLabs
  12. Jason Sets up Open Router and Glarity
  13. Wes plans his “Golden Texas BBQ” sideline business with ChatGPT for iOS voice conversations: “BBQ Birdie Bites” (Chat log link – more: wfryer.me/tips)
  14. Trump admin fires security board investigating Chinese hack of large ISPs (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025) – Salt Typhoon in English WikiPedia
  15. iPhones with TikTok installed listed for thousands of dollars on eBay after brief ban (USA Today, 22 Jan 2025)
  16. Why did Trump bring TikTok back? What to know about the president’s ban reversal (Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan 2025)
  17. Wes’ TikTok backups –  myfaveTT
  18. YouTube Premium discount coming to Google One, testing 4x playback speed (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025)
  19. YouTube’s conversational AI starts rolling out, but only to Premium subscribers on Android (9to5Google, 24 Sep 2024)
  20. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: Silly–NotebookLM Vamping Dehumidifier and List of Sweets
    1. https://www.home-assistant.io/ 
    2. TP Link Tapo Security Cameras: https://us.store.tp-link.com/collections/tapo-security-cameras 
  21. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: “Dangerous Ideas with Wes Fryer” (Patreon) – The “Heal Our Culture” ProjectTogether We Rise “The First 100 Days: Co-Creating Connections and Possibilities in a Time of Transition”
EdTechSR Ep 345 TikTok, Tech & Trust” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 344 Voices We Can’t Trust

Welcome to episode 344 (“Voices We Can’t Trust”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 15, 2025, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) examined the fast-moving frontier of artificial intelligence, starting with voice cloning tools like Play.ht and the ethical dilemmas they present. The conversation then pivoted to Meta’s decision to end its fact-checking program, highlighting rising concerns over misinformation, harassment, and platform responsibility. TikTok’s potential U.S. ban sparked dialogue about regulatory overreach, legal complexities, and the app’s cultural impact. The hosts also discussed the New York Times’ lawsuit against OpenAI, with implications for copyright law and AI development. Additional topics included the sunset of Windows 10, the fractured nature of online discourse, and the increasing need for robust media literacy education. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. AI Trends in Ed Tech to Watch in 2025 (EdTech Magazine 15 January 2025)
  10. Meta scrambles to delete its own AI accounts after backlash intensifies (CNN, 3 Jan 2025)
  11. Meta’s fake AI users are here and they’re giving everybody the creeps (Sherwood News, 3 Jan 2025) via Doug Peterson on BlueSky
  12. More: 3 Feb 2025 free webinar “AI ChatBot Ethics)
  13. Information literacy is key in the age of AI (eSchoolNews, 19 Dec 2024)
  14. One quick trick to make AI actually useful (Vox; 12 December 2024)
  15. ‘The New York Times’ takes OpenAI to court. ChatGPT’s future could be on the line (NPR, 14 Jan 2025)
  16. The Supreme Court doesn’t seem likely to save TikTok (Vox; 10 January 2025)
  17. With TikTok ban looming, how many Americans support it? Public opinion has changed a lot (USA Today; 15 January 2025)
  18. Microsoft won’t support Office apps on Windows 10 after October 14th (The Verge; 15 January 2025)
  19. German government may yet quit X over algorithms, spokesperson says (Reuters, 10 Jan 2025)
  20. Meta Says It Will End Its Fact-Checking Program on Social Media Posts (NY Times; 7 January 2025) (Gift Link)
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Highlight AI; Google AI Studiohttps://play.ai/
  22. Wes’ Geek of the Week: MediaEdForum 2025 NotesMy Screen Setup for Virtual LearningStouchi Continuity Camera Mount
EdTechSR Ep 344 Voices We Can’t Trust” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 343 Clickbait and Chrome

Welcome to episode 343 (“Clickbait and Chrome”) of the EdTech Situation Room from January 1, 2025, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) rang in the new year with a lively discussion on AI-driven schools, content creation ethics, and platform accountability. They examined Arizona’s bold move to pilot an AI-led curriculum, the growing influence of tools like Khanmigo, and how content monetization is reshaping the web — from affiliate link scandals to the rise of short-form video. The hosts reflected on Chrome extension privacy concerns, including Honey’s controversial practices, and unpacked Google’s culture of concealment amid antitrust scrutiny. Also on tap: the media’s evolving role in political influence, the explosion of educator activity on BlueSky, and the critical importance of visual and AI literacy in classrooms today. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Arizona’s getting an online charter school taught entirely by AI (TechCrunch, 20 Dec 2024)
  10. How Google Spent 15 Years Creating a Culture of Concealment (NYTimes, 20 Nov 2024) #GiftLink (“Vegas”)
  11. Inside South Korea’s right-wing YouTube world openly embraced by Yoon (Reuters, 16 Dec 2024) – BlueSky quote
  12. Is Bluesky the New Twitter for Teachers? (Education Week, 17 Dec 2024)
  13. Video Accuses Honey Browser Extension of Shady Business Practices and We Found Some Truth to It (Snopes, 30 Dec 2024)
  14. The Honey Scam and the Ridiculous Mess of Affiliate Marketing (Hank Green [VIDEO}, 24 Dec 2024)
  15. Some of the Best Reuters Photos of 2024, and the Stories Behind Them (Wider Image, 17 Dec 2024)
  16. Jason’s Geek of the Week: ChromeBook Recommendation: Dell Enterprise 5430 Chromebook
  17. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Show Clips via SubStackTerms of Service – Didn’t ReadUpcoming MediaEd WebinarsDangerous Ideas with Wes Fryer
EdTechSR Ep 343 Clickbait and Chrome” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 342 Encrypted by Default

Welcome to episode 342 (“Encrypted by Default”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 18, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) unpacked the FBI’s unprecedented advice urging Americans to use encrypted messaging apps like Signal and WhatsApp, discussing the implications for personal privacy, national security, and school digital literacy. The show also dove into the Justice Department’s surprising push for Google to divest from Chrome, raising questions about the future of ChromeOS and educational tech ecosystems. Wes shared the latest drama from BlueSky’s decentralized moderation challenges, while Jason demoed real-time features of Google Gemini, showcasing just how sentient-like modern AI agents have become. Plus, a flurry of new AI tools from OpenAI and Google — including Sora, NotebookLM, and Gemini 2.0 — led to a creative explosion of possibilities in the classroom. “Geeks of the Week” highlighted an election-focused podcast from Kate Starbird and a budget-friendly combo for running AI locally with Msty and OpenRouter. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Sora General Availability
  10. Sora prompt example: “Tockefeller center is overrun by golden retrievers! everywhere you look, there are golden retrievers.” https://openai.com/sora/?shareId=16 
  11. ChatGPT Pro
  12. ChatGPT Search Widely Available
  13. Bluesky at a crossroads as users petition to ban Jesse Singal over anti-trans views, harassment (TechCrunch, 13 Dec 2024) – Change.org petitionvia Renee DiResta
  14. Jesse Singal: Bluesky Has a Death Threat Problem (The Free Press, 17 Dec 2024)
  15. WikiPedia: The Free Press (online newsletter)
  16. How Wikipedia Became a Propaganda Site (The Free Press, 17 Sept 2024)
  17. Trump TV Ad Repeats False ‘Border Czar,’ Illegal Immigration Claims (FactCheck.org, 5 Aug 2024)
  18. U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted apps amid unprecedented cyberattack (NBC News, 3 Dec 2024)
  19. Sell Chrome to end search monopoly, Google told (BBC; 21 November 2024)
  20. Rumor: Android may take over for ChromeOS on Chromebooks in a massive move (ChromeUnboxed; 18 November 2024)Wes’ Geek of the Week: [PODCAST] Towards Resilience: A Conversation with Kate Starbird About the Future of Online Elections Discourse (8 Dec 2024)
  21. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Msty + Open Router = Cheap Desktop AI
Encrypted by Default” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 341 Blue Sky Rising

Welcome to episode 341 (“Blue Sky Rising”) of the EdTech Situation Room from December 4, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the surge in popularity of Bluesky as a social platform for educators, the rising importance of media literacy, and the expanding role of AI in classrooms and personal security. Jason shared insights from Montana’s first AI Play Date event, and Wes highlighted a fantastic media literacy teaching example making national headlines. The hosts also discussed the hidden security risks of smart devices, the unexpected afterlife of Redbox kiosks, and the powerful implications of voice cloning technologies. Other topics included privacy concerns surrounding Bluesky post-scraping and the Supreme Court’s upcoming review of the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Show Notes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Your Bluesky Posts Are Probably Training AI (404 Media Podcast, 4 Dec 2024)
  10. Facebook Friend Safety Tips (Wes Fryer on Speed of Creativity, 1 Dec 2024)
  11. https://play.ai/ (audio cloning and text to audio)
  12. Grammarly on MacOS
  13. Freepik AI Generator
  14. “Downranking Links” – Twitter (and Threads) Have Made a HUGE Mistake (Hank Green on YouTube, 16 min, 29 Nov 2024)
  15. A seventh grade media literacy class demonstrates how to handle tough conversations this Thanksgiving (CBS News, 28 Nov 2024)
  16. The Hidden Lifespan of Smart Devices: What the FTC’s Report Means for Consumers (Consumer Reports; 26 November 2024)
  17. The Redbox Removal Team (404Media, 28 Nov 2024)
  18. Supreme Court To Review Legality Of FCC-Managed Universal Service Fund (MSN, 23 Nov 2024)
  19. Jason’s Geek of the Week: ChatGPT Summary for Chrome
  20. Wes’ Geek of the Week: “The 12 Days of AI” via Kevin Hodgeson (@dogtrax.bsky.social)
Blue Sky Rising” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 340 Big Tech & Big Changes

Welcome to episode 340 (“Big Tech & Big Changes”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 13, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the latest shifts in the tech landscape, from Apple’s hardware advancements to AI’s growing role in education and privacy concerns. Jason shared insights on upgrading to Apple’s new MacBook Pro with an M4 chip, emphasizing its speed, efficiency, and potential for running local AI models. The conversation expanded into the broader implications of AI, including the rise of open-source models and their increasing competitiveness with proprietary AI. Privacy and ethical concerns around AI usage in schools and workplaces were also discussed, along with the risks posed by AI-driven misinformation and surveillance. The hosts examined Amazon’s expansion of drone deliveries, reflecting on how autonomous technologies are reshaping logistics and transportation. Jason recounted his firsthand experience with Waymo’s self-driving taxis in Phoenix, offering insights into their cautious driving behavior and evolving role in urban mobility. Social media developments were another hot topic, with a deep dive into BlueSky’s rapid growth past 15 million users and its potential as a new hub for educators. The discussion also touched on the dangers of mass text-based disinformation campaigns following the recent election, highlighting the broader need for digital literacy and stronger privacy protections. Finally, in “Geeks of the Week,” Wes highlighted Descript, a powerful AI-based podcast and video editing tool, and his surprising experience joining Truth Social to observe its information ecosystem. Jason recommended Google’s Machine Learning Crash Course, now updated with generative AI examples for those looking to deepen their understanding of AI development. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Google’s AI ‘learning companion’ takes chatbot answers a step further (The Verge 11 November 2024)
  10. Announcing general availability of Google Vids: Our new AI-powered video creation app for work to help tell stories across your organization (Google Blog; 7 November 2024)
  11. vids.new (URL shortcut to create a new Google Video)
  12. Mac Mini M4… whoa! M4 Mac mini review: The first redesign in years hides incredible computing power (Apple Insider; 13 november 2024)
  13. iOS 18.2 makes AirPods more powerful than ever, here’s why (9 to 5 Mac; 12 November 2024)
  14. YouTube viewers guzzled 84 million hours of Presidential Election Day news (Fortune; 6 November 2024)
  15. Racist text messages referencing slavery raise alarms in multiple states and prompt investigations (AP, 10 Nov 2024)
  16. Bluesky crosses the 15 million user mark (The Verge, 13 Nov 2024)
  17. Amazon starts drone deliveries in Arizona (The Verge, 6 Nov 2024)
  18. book: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick 
  19. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Descript and Wes is on TruthSocial?!
  20. Jason’s Geek of the Week: Google Machine Learning Crash Course
EdTechSR Episode 340: Big Tech & Big Changes” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 339 Social Media Challenges in Schools

Welcome to episode 339 (“Social Media Challenges in Schools”) of the EdTech Situation Room from November 6, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) tackled pressing tech issues with a focus on educational impacts. Key topics included Apple’s latest hardware releases like the Mac Mini with the M4 chip, MacBook Pro upgrades, and Apple Intelligence features such as direct ChatGPT integration and the new Image Playground app. The hosts shared their thoughts on how Apple’s seamless AI integration is enhancing productivity and creativity for educators and students alike. The discussion took a serious turn with an in-depth look at the dangers of TikTok challenges in schools, highlighting a recent JAMA Psychiatry article on the blurred lines between social media stunts and real mental health crises among youth. Wes and Jason reflected on the responsibilities of parents, educators, and tech companies in mitigating these risks. They also explored the mental health impact of grade-tracking apps, noting the anxiety these tools can create for students, especially those with learning differences. AI developments were front and center, including Ireland’s national AI training strategy for government workers and OpenAI’s new search engine tool, prompting a debate on search literacy in the age of AI. The episode also touched on Anthropic’s new desktop app for Claude and its experimental computer control feature, showcasing the rapid evolution of AI-powered tools for daily tasks. “Geeks of the Week” included Wes’ announcement of PodCamp CLT, a podcasting conference in Charlotte, NC, on December 7, and Jason’s upcoming webinar on Notebook LM for educators, along with his new home automation project using Home Assistant software. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Microsoft just delayed Recall again (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
  10. OpenAI’s search engine is now live in ChatGPT (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
  11. Anthropic’s Claude AI chatbot now has a desktop app (The Verge; 31 October 2024)
  12. Google to develop AI that takes over computers, The Information reports (Reuters; 26 October 2024)
  13. AI training for Government workers major part of smart tech plan amid ‘clear economic opportunities’ despite job fears (The Irish Sun, 6 Nov 2024)
  14. APPLE FAN BOY ALERT: New Apple Stuff
  15. The MacBook Air gets a surprise upgrade to 16GB of RAM (The Verge; 30 October 2024)
  16. Schools issue prom warning to pupils over missing iPads (The Times, 31 Oct 2024)
  17. Apple’s iOS 18.2 public beta starts opening up access to more AI features (The Verge; 6 November 2024)
  18. For fame or a death wish? Kids’ TikTok challenge injuries stump psychiatrists (ArsTechnica, 6 Nov 2024)
  19. The surprising source of kids’ stress lurking on parents’ phones (Vox; 26 October 2024)
  20. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: https://www.home-assistant.io/ ; NotebookLM Webinar; AI Playdate at the University of Montana
  21. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: ChatGPT LIVE Web SearchChatGPT conversation archive for tonight’s articles – [VIDEO] Classroom Management Digital Tips for Middle School Teachers (17.5 min) – PodCampCLT.com (7 Dec 2024)
EdTechSR Ep 339 Social Media Challenges” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 338 AI Security Concerns

Welcome to episode 338 (“AI Security Concerns”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 23, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the latest developments in technology, AI advancements, and their educational implications. The show opened with a lighthearted discussion about digital media preservation, sparked by San Francisco’s costly move to retire 5.25-inch floppy disks from its subway system. The co-hosts reflected on the importance of safeguarding old media formats and backing up digital assets. Shifting to security issues, they covered a disturbing incident of a Zoom hack that disrupted a school board meeting, highlighting the vulnerabilities of virtual platforms. Additionally, they discussed the growing adoption of passkeys as a promising, passwordless future for internet security, with Dr. Neiffer sharing his experiences using passkeys through OnePassword. The conversation then turned to the ongoing battle over internet data caps, with public outcry urging the FCC to ban them. Both hosts shared their excitement about fiber internet expansion, noting its importance for equitable digital access. AI developments dominated the latter half of the show. They discussed Anthropic’s release of Claude 3.5 Sonnet and its groundbreaking “Computer Use” feature, which allows the AI to perform desktop tasks autonomously. While this innovation offers potential time-saving benefits for educators, it also raises significant security concerns, as experts warn of increased cyberattack risks. The hosts also reflected on a tragic case involving Character.AI, where a chatbot’s inappropriate interactions contributed to a teenager’s suicide. This case underscored the urgent need for stronger guardrails on AI interactions with minors. To wrap up, the co-hosts highlighted the evolving role of AI agents and discussed how platforms like make.com and Google Gemini could streamline data management and automate administrative tasks for educators. “Geeks of the Week” included make.com (Jason) – a powerful tool for automating tasks using AI and integrations, and a Passkeys Guide from OnePassword (Wes) – a resource for exploring passwordless security solutions. Our show was live-streamed and archived simultaneously on YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All shownotes are available on edtechSR.com/links. AI Disclosure: An initial draft of this episode summary was generated using youtubetranscript.com and a custom GPT on ChatGPT, as well as options for our show title! AI image generated by Wes Fryer using Ideogram. Stay savvy and safe!

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on FacebookBlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
  9. Introducing computer use, a new Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and Claude 3.5 Haiku (Anthropic Blog; 22 October 2024)
  10. Claude AI Can Now Control Your PC, Prompting Concern From Security Experts (Pc Magazine; 23 October 2024)
  11. Anthropic flags AI’s potential to ‘automate sophisticated destructive cyber attacks (ZDnet, 16 Oct 2024)
  12. “use wrapper with chatgpt ai key” https://mistyai.com and https://www.typingmind.com are ones Jason has used…
  13. Playing with AI and databases: Google has options to connect sheets
  14. https://www.make.com/en/ai-automation is a powerful tool for AI integrations
  15. Also https://n8n.io/ is AI workflow automation
  16. Chatbot that caused teen’s suicide is now more dangerous for kids, lawsuit says (ArsTechnica, 23 Oct 2024)
  17. Apple is ‘concerned’ about AI turning real photos into ‘fantasy’ (The Verge; 23 October 2023)
  18. Canva has a shiny new text-to-image generator (The Verge; 22 October 2024)
  19. San Francisco to pay $212 million to end reliance on 5.25-inch floppy disks (ArsTechnica, 23 Oct 2024)
  20. A world without passwords is in sight (Vox; 23 October 2024)
  21. Zoom hack derails Quilcene school board’s LGBTQ+ books decision (PT Leader, 23 Oct 2024)
  22. Passkeys with 1Password: https://1password.com/product/passkeys 
  23. Jason’s Geek of the Week: PROJECT! Install ChromeOS on PC with Google Play Store [Intel & AMD]
  24. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: How internet influencers, algorithms and crowds are altering our politics, our society and our very relationship to reality-with guest Renée DiResta (Thinking Clearly Podcast) and Nov 4th “Invisibile Rulers” MediaEd Webinar
EdTechSR Ep 338 AI Security Concerns” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer

EdTechSR Ep 337 Teaching and Parenting in the AI Era

Welcome to episode 337 (“Teaching and Parenting in the AI Era”) of the EdTech Situation Room from October 16, 2024, where technology news meets educational analysis. This week, Dr. Jason Neiffer (aicentrist.com) and Dr. Wesley Fryer (wesfryer.com) explored the complexities of integrating AI into education. They discussed how school administrators, teachers, and parents are grappling with challenges like AI-assisted plagiarism, privacy concerns, and balancing innovation with ethical responsibility. Topics included the evolving role of professional development in addressing AI misconceptions, the antitrust push against Big Tech, and the transformative potential of emerging technologies like Apple’s Vision Pro. In “Geeks of the Week,” Jason highlighted tools like OpenMCQ and photo generation apps, while Wes showcased resources for emergency preparedness and media literacy. Our show was live-streamed and archived on YouTube Live via StreamYard.com. Please follow our @EdTechSR page on Facebook, the #edtechSR hashtag on BlueSky, @edtechsr@mastodon.education on Mastodon for updates, and join LIVE on Wednesday nights if you can. All show notes are available at edtechSR.com/links.

Shownotes

  1. Subscribe to our EdTechSR Substack Newsletter!
  2. EdTech Situation Room Listener Survey: wfryer.me/edtechsr
  3. Follow EdTechSR on Facebook, BlueSkyMastodon and Substack!
  4. Audio podcast feed (Subscribe with iTunes or Stitcher)
  5. Video version on YouTube
  6. Check out our video podcast feed and subscribe to our YouTube Channel (episodes also in this YouTube playlist)
  7. Jason Neiffer: on BlueSkyon Mastodon – aicentrist.com
  8. Wes Fryer: on BlueSkyon Mastodon – wesfryer.com
  9. Student was punished for using AI—then his parents sued teacher and administrators (ArsTechnica, 16 Oct 2024)
  10. People are using AI bots to create nude images of almost anyone online (BGR, 16 Oct 2024)
  11. The Vision Pro is being used to assist surgeons during live procedures (9to5Mac, 16 Oct 2024)
  12. The Antitrust Revolution: Liberal democracy’s last stand against Big Tech (Harpers Magazine, (Oct 2024) – Wes’ Mastodon thread
  13. WordPress saga escalates as WP Engine plugin forcibly forked and legal letters fly (The Register, 14 Oct 2024)
  14. SpaceX Calls New Starship Test a Success, Captures Rocket at Landing (Voice of America, 13 Oct 2024)
  15. Jason’s Geeks of the Week: OpenMCQ from MTDA – Fotorama from AppNation – Stupid AI Tricks
    • “From all of our interactions what is one thing that you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself”
    • “Roast me like one of your French girls”
  16. Wes’ Geeks of the Week: Webinar on Google’s NotebookLM (archived) –  Radio for preparedness: What lessons can we learn from Hurricane Helene? (47 min) – Wes’ Communitarian Prepper
EdTechSR Ep 337 Teaching and Parenting in the AI Era” (CC BY 2.0) by Wesley Fryer