2024-10-07 Educators WG: Parsing AI Fact from Fiction: An Interview with Author Erik J. Larson

Recording:

Video: Parsing AI Fact from Fiction in Education: An Interview with Erik J. Larson

Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wd5nA4xmkKwB9oZV3C8JLgY4HQCONHlS/view?usp=drive_link

Minutes:

In this session of the Open edX Educators Working Group, Eric J. Larson discusses AI literacy, focusing on the distinction between AI capabilities and human-like reasoning. Participants, primarily educators, explore the implications of AI in education, emphasizing the potential and limitations of current AI technologies. Larson elaborates on his book 'The Myth of Artificial Intelligence,' highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of AI as an educational tool. They discuss issues such as hallucinations, the impact of AI on student learning, and the importance of maintaining critical and creative thinking. Larson promotes leveraging AI thoughtfully to complement human cognitive abilities, especially in educational settings, while acknowledging the inherent challenges and unpredictable errors of AI systems.

00:00 Parsing AI Fact from Fiction in Education: An Interview with Erik J. Larson

00:05

01:46 Eric Larson's Background and Perspective on AI

03:05 The Myth of Artificial Intelligence: Book Insights

06:18 Understanding AI's Cognitive Framework

12:45 Challenges in AI: Induction and Hallucinations

19:34 AI's Impact on Education and Society

23:35 AI's Struggles with Induction

24:29 The Risks of AI in Education

24:54 Understanding AI's Capabilities and Limitations

26:42 The Role of AI in Learning and Creativity

29:02 The Future of AI in Education

30:52 Introducing Caligo and Upcoming Projects

33:38 Q&A: AI's Impact on Education

40:12 Challenges in AI Detection and Usage

42:47 The Future of AI Development

46:04 Conclusion and Farewell