AI is shifting the ground beneath our feet.

In this week's episode with Emmy-winning TV producer Gavin Purcell, we explore how AI differs fundamentally from previous tech trends like crypto, blockchain, and the metaverse.

Drawing from his unique perspective in traditional Hollywood and cutting-edge tech, Gavin explains how reasoning models represent a quantum leap beyond simple prompt engineering toward truly intuitive human-machine interaction.

The conversation turns particularly fascinating when exploring creative industries, where Gavin introduces the concept of "micro-studios" – small teams using AI to produce content that previously required hundreds of professionals. Through a live demonstrations with AI voice companion Maya and popular examples of AI-generated video, Gavin shows how close we already are to genuinely engaging artificial entities.

And since we're aiEDU, we also had to dive into what this means for education, careers, and human connection. How do we prepare students for a world where traditional skills are augmented or potentially replaced by AI? What happens when digital companions become more consistent and accommodating than the humans in our lives? These questions don't have simple answers, but they demand our attention.

And be sure to check out Gavin's AI For Humans YouTube series:

• aiforhumans.show
• linkedin.com/in/gavin-purcell-873060138/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What happens when we invest in entrepreneurs who've been overlooked by traditional venture capital?

Shawna Young, CEO of Camelback Ventures, has dedicated her career to answering that question by giving transformative support to founders from underrepresented communities.

In our wide-ranging conversation, Shawna chronicles her journey from AP science teacher in North Carolina to leader of an organization that has invested in 180+ founders across the country – not just in Silicon Valley. Her personal story illustrates Camelback Ventures' mission to identify brilliant entrepreneurs who are solving problems in their own overlooked communities.

Camelback's approach tackles a fundamental gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, where brilliant ideas often fizzle out not from lack of merit but from lack of access to networks and capital. Now in their tenth year of operation, Camelback continue to invest in founders from the education, fintech, and health tech spaces.

Learn more about Shawna and Camelback Ventures:

• camelbackventures.org/
• linkedin.com/company/camelback-ventures

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What makes AI different from previous waves of education technology?

Greg Toppo, education reporter at The 74, joins us to unpack how AI is reshaping education from the classroom to district leadership. Drawing from his extensive journalism career and time as a teacher, Greg brings a measured perspective to the AI revolution that's sweeping through schools right now.

The conversation dives into the landmark Massachusetts court case, where a student challenged academic cheating accusations after using ChatGPT on a history assignment. Rather than viewing this as simply a policy failure, Greg frames it as a complex example of how even well-prepared schools must navigate uncharted ethical terrain: "When you're trying to design a bank that is impervious to being robbed, it really helps to consult with a bank robber."

For educators navigating this landscape, Greg recommends balanced information consumption – seeking perspectives from both enthusiastic advocates and thoughtful skeptics. The future of schooling depends not on blindly adopting technology, but rather on carefully considering how it could enhance the fundamentally human endeavor of education while preserving meaningful learning experiences.

You can follow Greg Toppo and The 74 at:

• the74million.org/about/team/greg-toppo/
• x.com/gtoppo

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/