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
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- Jason Neiffer: aicentrist.com
- Wes Fryer: wesfryer.com
- Trump rescinds Biden’s executive order on AI safety in attempt to diverge from his predecessor (AP, 22 Jan 2025)
- Anthropic chief says AI could surpass “almost all humans at almost everything” shortly after 2027 (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025)
- Jason Clones His Voice with ElevenLabs
- Jason Sets up Open Router and Glarity
- Wes plans his “Golden Texas BBQ” sideline business with ChatGPT for iOS voice conversations: “BBQ Birdie Bites” (Chat log link – more: wfryer.me/tips)
- Trump admin fires security board investigating Chinese hack of large ISPs (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025) – Salt Typhoon in English WikiPedia
- iPhones with TikTok installed listed for thousands of dollars on eBay after brief ban (USA Today, 22 Jan 2025)
- Why did Trump bring TikTok back? What to know about the president’s ban reversal (Austin American Statesman, 22 Jan 2025)
- Wes’ TikTok backups – myfaveTT
- YouTube Premium discount coming to Google One, testing 4x playback speed (ArsTechnica, 22 Jan 2025)
- YouTube’s conversational AI starts rolling out, but only to Premium subscribers on Android (9to5Google, 24 Sep 2024)
- Jason’s Geeks of the Week: Silly–NotebookLM Vamping Dehumidifier and List of Sweets
- https://www.home-assistant.io/
- TP Link Tapo Security Cameras: https://us.store.tp-link.com/collections/tapo-security-cameras
- Wes’ Geeks of the Week: “Dangerous Ideas with Wes Fryer” (Patreon) – The “Heal Our Culture” Project – Together We Rise “The First 100 Days: Co-Creating Connections and Possibilities in a Time of Transition”
