Rejecting AI Binaries with Dr. Rachel Horst

New Studies on AI, Emotions, and Student Learning Gains

Do emotions matter when students learn with AI? In this episode, Azadeh and Guy dig into three newly published, peer-reviewed studies exploring the relationship between emotions and AI-assisted learning. From chatbot interactions in Singapore classrooms to emotion-aware feedback in Korea, and a sweeping meta-analysis of AI in higher education, the hosts unpack what the research actually shows about AI's emotional impact on learners. Spoiler: humans still hold the advantage when it comes to social-emotional outcomes. If you care about AI in education, student engagement, and evidence-based teaching, this episode is essential listening. Khor, E. T., & Kapoor, A. (2026). Decoding student–chatbot dialogues: How interaction structure is associated with learning gains in AI-assisted programming. AI in Education, 2(2), 15. https://doi.org/10.3390/aieduc2020015 [https://doi.org/10.3390/aieduc2020015] Park, J. (2026). How learners interpret emotion-aware feedback in AI-supported learning: Evidence from a classroom study. AI in Education, 2(2), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/aieduc2020016 [https://doi.org/10.3390/aieduc2020016] Liu, C., Xu, G., & Xie, L. (2026). Generative AI in higher education: A meta-analysis of intellectual and social-emotional outcomes. Frontiers in Psychology, 17, 1848745. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1848745 [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1848745] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit guyonai.substack.com [https://guyonai.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

AI Skeptics or Cautious Critics?

Season 3 kicks off with Azadeh and Guy diving into one of the hottest topics in education right now: AI resistance. Drawing on four recent international studies from Latvia, Ukraine, Italy, and a multi-country survey, they unpack why students push back on generative AI — and it’s not mostly about ethics. Knowledge gaps, distrust of AI accuracy, and lack of training top the list. They also explore how gender, academic discipline, and national culture shape AI adoption in higher education. If you work with students navigating AI tools, this episode offers research-backed insight you won’t want to miss. Prohorovs, A., Užule, K., & Tsaryk, O. (2026). Understanding higher education students' reluctance to adopt GenAI in learning in Latvia and Ukraine. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1676900 [Authors: TUM research group, Technical University of Munich] (2024). AI advocates and cautious critics: How AI attitudes, AI interest, use of AI, and AI literacy build university students’ AI self-efficacy. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 100340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2024.100340 Farinosi, M., & Melchior, C. (2025). To adopt or to ban? Student perceptions and use of generative AI in higher education. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, 1684. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05982-7 Alpizar-Chacon, I., Keuning, H., De Jong, I., et al. (2025). Excited, skeptical, or worried? A multi-institutional study of student views on generative AI in computing education. Proceedings of the 25th Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research. https://doi.org/10.1145/3769994.3770008 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit guyonai.substack.com [https://guyonai.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

NETA Conference Preview

Guy is flying solo this episode (kinda), joined by Kimberly Ingram Beck from the CS4NE podcast, for a lively preview of the NEETA Spring Conference. Together, they highlight must-see sessions on K-8 computer science frameworks, cybersecurity tips for all educators, and a thought-provoking "Beyond Chatbots" session encouraging students to think critically about AI-generated content. Guy also previews exciting student poster research on AI-produced science texts and international technology use. Whether you're attending or just curious about K-12 AI education and computer science trends, this episode gives you a front-row look at what educators are buzzing about. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit guyonai.substack.com [https://guyonai.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Conference Insights

What’s the real buzz around AI in education at major academic conferences? In this episode, Azadeh and Guy debrief from two key gatherings—the SITE conference in Philadelphia and AERA in Los Angeles—sharing candid observations about where AI research in education actually stands. From AI in rural communities to using generative AI for grade-level science texts, they reveal what conversations are happening in hallways and poster sessions that aren’t making it to the main stage. If you want an honest look at the current state of AI in education research and where the field is headed, this episode is your inside track. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit guyonai.substack.com [https://guyonai.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Rejecting AI Binaries with Dr. Rachel Horst

What do educators most often get wrong about AI—and what does genuine AI literacy actually look like in practice? In this episode, Azadeh and Guy welcome Dr. Rachel Horst, lecturer at UBC's Master of Educational Technology program and creator of the AI Literacy Hub. Together, they explore why binary thinking about AI holds educators back, how teacher agency is evolving in an AI-saturated world, and why building your own tools matters more than adopting ready-made platforms. Dr. Horst also shares her work integrating open-source AI tools into graduate courses. If you want a nuanced, critical, and genuinely exciting take on AI in education, this episode is for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit guyonai.substack.com [https://guyonai.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]