What if a school replaced human teachers with artificial intelligence? That's what a national private school chain called Alpha School did — and then tried to start an AI cyber charter right here in Pennsylvania. If this sounds dystopian, you don't know the half of it! (We're talking monitoring students' heart rates while their parents criticize them.) Host Megan Harris and executive producer Mallory Falk explain why PA's department of education turned them down. Plus, we discuss the need for clear state guidelines around AI use in schools and a legislative proposal that would ensure students are taught by actual humans.
Notes and references from today’s show:
- A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You [New York Times]
- State rejects application for cyber charter school with AI teacher and two hours of daily class [Penn Capital-Star]
- Parents Fell in Love With Alpha School’s Promise. Then They Wanted Out [Wired]
- SPECIAL REPORT: My So-Called Alpha School [Cognitive Resonance]
- Several States Rejected This Private School Chain as a Charter. Now It’s Eligible for Texas’ Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers. [ProPublica]
- Pa. lawmakers say regulations on AI in education, student privacy are coming [WESA]
- Pennsylvania Creates initiative aims to make teenagers AI literate and responsible [TribLive]
- Pittsburgh Public Schools to revise student handbooks after discrepancies found [TribLive]
- Educators ask state to create policy for AI in schools [Post-Gazette]
- What is your school's AI policy? [Public Source]
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Email pittsburgh@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
💌 You can get more Pittsburgh news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the City Cast Pittsburgh morning newsletter.
🏡 Get more from City Cast Pittsburgh when you become a City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join the City Cast Pittsburgh Neighbors program!
🥁 Looking to advertise on City Cast Pittsburgh? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads.
