podcast

Reflecting on the Transformative Power of Generative AI in 2023 [podcast]

The latest episode of the Learning Futures Podcast dives into the transformative technology that has captured our attention and shaped our lives in 2023 - generative AI. Hosted by an expert panel including Punya Mishra, Sean Leahy, Rachna Mathur, and Kellie Kreiser, this insightful discussion explores the impact of AI on various fields and delves into personal experiences with this groundbreaking technology.

The episode kicks off with a warm welcome to the panel of esteemed guests, who bring their diverse expertise to the table. The first topic up for debate is the evolution of AI in education. The panel highlights how AI has become a normalized tool in classrooms, revolutionizing lesson planning and potentially democratizing knowledge. The possibilities are truly endless when it comes to integrating AI into educational practices.

One fascinating aspect the panel delves into is the generational divide in AI perception. They discuss the varying levels of comfort and skepticism towards AI among different generations, highlighting a split between enthusiasts and skeptics. This divide raises important questions about the acceptance and adaptation of AI in our society.

Moving along, the conversation shifts gears to reflect on the significant advancements in generative AI throughout 2023. From AI-generated music to multimodal platforms combining text and imagery, the panel showcases the rapid progress made in this transformative technology. These advancements demonstrate the immense potential of AI to reshape various industries and enhance our daily lives.


A particularly interesting highlight from the episode is when Sean Leahy shares how AI has become an integral part of his family's routine, especially with his children. The immediate immersion and adaptation of younger generations to AI paint a picture of the future, where this technology will be deeply intertwined with our everyday existence. We are witnessing a seismic shift in how AI is perceived and utilized across different age groups.


As the episode draws to a close, the panel reflects on the speed of AI's development and its implications for the future. The educational landscape is undoubtedly one of the areas that will experience substantial changes due to AI, but its potential reaches far beyond that. The panelists leave us with a sense of curiosity and excitement about the endless possibilities that lie ahead.


If you are eager to gain insights into the intersection of AI, education, and daily life, this episode is a must-listen. The expertise of the panelists, coupled with their engaging discussions about the impact of AI and their personal experiences, make this episode captivating from beginning to end. Join the Learning Futures Podcast as they shed light on one of the most transformative technologies of our time and explore what it means for our future.

The Metaverse, Implantable Tech, and AI with Katina Michael

Learning Futures Podcast - Season 6 is off to a stunner of a start! I am always thrilled when the chance arises to talk with Dr. Katina Michael, and our conversation around the metaverse, implantable technologies, and AI did not disappoint. Have a listen!

Sean and Katina explore a wide range of emergent technologies from the impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education to Biological and Digital Convergence, the Metaverse and XR, and much more. With each topic we discuss the sometimes hidden impacts, and the potential for societal change.

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Educating for Sustainable Futures

In this bonus episode of the Learning Futures Podcast Dr. Sean Leahy talks about the importance of educating for sustainable futures, discussing the opportunities and challenges. Dr. Leahy explores the urgency created by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the need to prepare for the uncertainty by engaging in futures thinking and other futures methodologies.

Learning Futures Season 4 - Futures Thinking

The 4th season of the Learning Futures Podcast is now out and the first episode has dropped. In addition to being the founder and executive producer for this podcast, this season my colleague Clarin Collins and I take over the hosting responsibilities as well. In our first episode for Season 4 we are joined by Ruth Wylie, Danah Henriksen, and Maricel Lawrence to chat about all things Futures Thinking. We hope you enjoy the episode!

If you like what you’re hearing, please do subscribe to the Learning Futures Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts…

BioSense Network: Exploring biotech with computational microscopes

I am excited to announce the launch of our newly funded research project called BioSense Network. To introduce this new project, the team sat down with me (virtually) for a quick roundtable discussion to define and explain not only what the BioSense Network is, but perhaps more importantly why a project like this is needed in the first place. Have a listen!

If you like what you’re hearing, please do subscribe to the Learning Futures Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts…

If podcasts aren’t your thing, here’s a super short recap…

The show is hosted by me, and I’m joined by three of my colleagues to discuss this innovative project.

We talk about the exciting new project known as the BioSense Network, which is a newly funded project aimed at establishing a community of learners exploring biotechnology with a computational microscope. This innovative research grant is in collaboration with the Arizona State University School of Molecular Sciences, ASU Biodesign Institute, and the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at ASU. This project has been possible by funding from the Department of Defense STEM program.

While we cover a lot of ground on the podcast the main points we address are the following:

  • In the show we discuss the overall aims of this project, and explore how it is described as a research project aimed at bridging textbook biotechnology with reality, and what that really means in practice.

  • We talked about the importance of combining teams, (biotechnology and education) and discuss how we see this partnership as being crucial to creating a new approach to biotechnology education.

  • We touch on the broader impacts of projects like this, and the potential impact on STEM education and the pipeline of STEM professional careers.

  • We discuss our approach to flip the learning experience / community aspect, and create a community first, in which learning experience can take place, and how this new model may have long lasting benefits in terms of sustainability for this project.

  • We explore the use of high powered computing and virtual visualization technologies to bring zero-cost biotechnology to the hands of middle and high school students (that they otherwise wouldn’t have access until university level studies).

  • We discussed the four identified “tangible” goals / outcomes of the project, namely: communicate, promote, inspire, and enhance.

  • Our last element we discussed was our approach to create educational modules for educators to use with their students - what is entailed in the development and implementation of these, and how that differs from traditional approaches to train-the-trainer type projects etc.

All in all, it was a great opportunity to sit down with some really awesome people and talk about this exciting, innovative new project. More to come as the project get further underway…

Learning Futures Podcast Launch

Introducing the newly launched Learning Futures Podcast! Be sure to subscribe to make sure you don’t miss a single episode. As one of the Executive Producers of this new podcast - I am very pleased to bring such an incredible ensemble of brilliant people together to share their insights into the futures of learning.

Join us as we tackle the bigger question:

What if education systems were doing more and thinking differently about preparing learners to thrive in the future? Join Professor Ronald A. Beghetto of Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for conversations on improving education and the future of learning. Each episode presents colleagues, researchers, education leaders and other guests who share how they're thinking about and addressing the most pressing challenges in education.

A Slice of PI Podcast Appearance: IgnitED Labs Part 1

The IgnitED Labs are creative spaces where users can explore and play with new and emerging technologies that can serve a role in teaching and learning. We sat down with Dr. Sean Leahy, Director of Technology Initiatives, and Jodie Donner, Lead Technology Strategist and Head of IgnitED Labs, to talk about the design and creation of the labs here at MLFTC. This is part one of our conversation. 

Recently, Jodie and myself were asked to do an interview with the newly launched Slice of PI Podcast that is produced out of our college. It was a great conversation, and to be honest, I think we talked so much that Claire and Hannah (hosts) had to split this into two parts.

It was a lot of fun to share and discuss all of the hard work and collaboration that has gone into creating the innovative IgnitED Labs.

Have a listen, if you like what you hear, subscribe to Slice of PI wherever you get your podcasts…