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explAInED Episode 018 – Ethical AI, Assessment, and Learning Design with Leon Furze
Episode Summary
In this episode, hosts Michael Berry, Renee Langevin, and Shaun Langevin talk with Leon Furze, a writer, researcher, former English teacher, and creator of the AI Assessment Scale. They explore how generative AI is reshaping education. Leon urges educators to move beyond vague "AI" labels and instead focus on specific tools and impacts. He contrasts Australia’s national Framework for Generative AI in Schools with the fragmented, vendor-driven approach in the U.S., warning that outsourcing professional learning to big tech risks eroding teacher expertise and increasing attrition.
Leon introduces his "digital plastic" metaphor, comparing AI-generated content to synthetic plastic. Like plastic, AI can be innovative but also carries environmental and ethical costs that are often pushed onto individuals instead of addressed through systemic regulation. He highlights the need for schools to go beyond surface-level AI literacy and engage students in meaningful conversations about bias, data extraction, and environmental impact.
On assessment, Leon explains how the widely-used AI Assessment Scale, which he co-authored, helps educators design learning that intentionally balances AI-supported and AI-free tasks. This approach encourages authentic, thoughtful use of the technology.
Leon highlights how AI is enhancing inclusion through assistive tools like speech-to-text powered by OpenAI Whisper and Be My Eyes, which uses GPT-4 with camera glasses to describe surroundings for blind users. He also notes that neurodivergent students are using AI-based planners to help manage cognitive load and stay organized, showing AI’s potential to support diverse learner needs.
This rich conversation reinforces the need for educators to lead ethical AI integration and to design learning experiences that truly serve students.
Mentions and Resources
AI Assessment Scale (Leon Furze)
Teaching AI Ethics series (Leon Furze)
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