Episode #155: Role of AI in the Future of Education with Priten Shah

Rethinking Learning

March 20, 2024

Priten Shah is dedicated to pioneering innovative educational solutions that meet diverse learner needs, leveraging experiences from teaching in various settings globally. He develops tools ranging from animated civics education materials to AI-enhanced classroom resources, aiming to foster healthier democracies and keep educators abreast of rapid technological advancements by leading with two ventures, United 4 Social Change and Pedagogy.cloud. 

Your WHY

I am motivated by a simple, powerful idea: to better prepare our future generations for the complex world they’ll soon inherit. It’s about understanding the critical need to equip our educators and students with the knowledge, skills, and mindsets to navigate these global issues effectively and ethically. 

My slogan, ‘Preparing Educators For A Dynamic Tomorrow,’ encapsulates my vision of readiness, adaptability, and evolution in the face of our rapidly changing world.

Your Background

My journey began during high school when I chose to confront the disparities in academic support within my community. I completed my undergraduate degree at Harvard College, earning a B.A. in Philosophy with minors in Sanskrit and South Asian Studies. I hold an M.ED. in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I honed my expertise in the laws, regulations, and policies that underpin our educational systems. My education at Harvard, with its blend of philosophy, language, policy, and management, laid a solid foundation for my commitment to transforming education. It’s this comprehensive understanding of education that drives my work and ambition, setting the stage for my various endeavors in the field of education. To ensure my efforts stay firmly rooted in the realities of the classroom, I am committed to periodically returning to the classroom and working directly with students of diverse ages and backgrounds.

I see myself as a philosopher who codes, not as a developer who philosophizes.

Founder/CEO of Pedagog.ai at Pedagogy.cloud

We believe in the power of technology to transform the way we teach and learn. Our mission is to provide educators with the resources, tools, and knowledge needed to confidently navigate the world of AI, fostering a future where innovative thinking and creative problem-solving thrive.

Your new book, “AI & the Future of Education”

I wrote this book to help educators face these challenges head-on to gain the knowledge and skills needed to use AI effectively in the classroom.

There is a cloud of rumors, confusion, and fear surrounding the rise of artificial intelligence among educators and stakeholders in education communities. AI and the Future of Education is a response to this general state of panic, showing you that AI is a tool to leverage, not a threat to teaching and learning. By understanding what AI is, what it does, and how it can be used to enhance education, you can let go of anxiety and uncertainty, and learn to embrace artificial intelligence. We talked about having AI be your thinking buddy and several other topics in AI and the Future of Education.