Executive Principal Kurt Hintz explores how further education can successfully integrate artificial intelligence in a fascinating new podcast series.
It is undeniable that artificial intelligence is reshaping all sectors in some way, and education is no exception. Capital City College Group’s Executive Principal, Kurt Hintz, has taken the opportunity to dive right into this brave new world with a series of podcasts with Richard Foster-Fletcher, Executive Chair at MKAI (Morality & Knowledge in Artificial Intelligence).
In their series The Boundless Podcast, Kurt and Richard take a considered look at the changes afoot as a result of enhanced AI technologies. Over five instalments, they delve into the opportunities for further education that AI offers, from automated administration to its ability to facilitate learning that is fully personalised.
The podcasts are available on Spotify and are an interesting listen for anyone considering implementing AI technology in further education. Kurt draws on his extensive career in education spanning over 20 years and gives valuable insight into how AI can be viewed by leaders in his field. When ChatGPT first emerged, Kurt’s reaction was not one of worry or fear. He said, “My mindset went immediately to ‘How do people need to use this in the future?’ and ‘How will productivities leapfrog from this development?’, and ‘How do we make sure that our students and our staff are at the front and leading edge of that?”
As Richard says: “AI is a threat but AI is a great companion,” and the podcasts take a multifaceted approach and consider the vast possibilities of AI as well as the ethical implications and challenges it presents, especially in relation to data privacy, bias and exploitation.
In their engaging and informative conversations, Kurt and Richard also discuss the issue of future-proofing further education while also ensuring that staff and students possess the abilities needed to work with AI in the future. As Kurt says: “AI literacy is not a luxury but a necessity.”
The podcast moves beyond education and Richard and Kurt also explore the effects of AI on human interaction. They consider the benefits that technology can bring to social or professional spheres while also discussing the importance of being able to decipher human signals and engage in meaningful interaction.
The conversations between Kurt and Richard consistently highlight the need for a balanced approach when implementing AI in the wake of social media. They examine the role of careful planning and debate how to best develop a deep and holistic understanding of AI in order to prevent, offset and manage any negative side effects.
The Boundless Podcast paves the way for continuous and expansive discussion on AI opportunities, ethics and sustainability across the education leadership community. Kurt himself said: “I think it is a genuine opportunity for us to influence and be much more involved in this, this time around. We know this is going to be dramatic so how much more involved can we be?”