In this episode of AmpED to 11, hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma sit down with Alex Kotran, CEO & Co-founder of the AI Education Project (AIEDU), to tackle a pressing issue: the AI literacy gap in schools and what it means for the next generation.

Most students graduate without a basic understanding of how AI works—even as it influences job markets, decision-making, and daily life. Meanwhile, many teachers feel unprepared to integrate AI into the classroom, and underserved communities risk being left even further behind.

Alex shares how his journey—starting in political organizing and later transitioning into AI policy and governance—led him to an alarming realization: schools weren’t teaching students about AI at all. His solution? AIEDU, an initiative focused on making AI literacy accessible to all students—not just the privileged few.

Key Takeaways:

🚨 Why AI literacy isn’t just about coding—it’s about critical thinking, ethics, and understanding AI’s role in society.

🚨 The dangers of leaving AI education out of the curriculum—especially for underserved communities.

🚨 How schools can start integrating AI without massive budgets or advanced tech resources.

🚨 The real-world skills students actually need to succeed in an AI-driven world.

Rebecca’s AI Tip of the Week:

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This conversation is a wake-up call for educators, policymakers, and business leaders—if AI is shaping the future, we need to ensure every student has the tools to navigate it.

🎧 Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the future of AI education—and what we need to do before it’s too late.