Foundational Impact

Philanthropy Filling the AI Education Gap

The conversation between Elizabeth Moore and Daniel in this episode provides a window into how the Gates Foundation is navigating the evolving landscape of AI in K-12 education. As Deputy Director with the U.S. K-12 team, Elizabeth explains that the Gates Foundation operates at multiple levels to improve classroom instruction through research, quality standards, and strategic investments. This includes influencing frontier AI labs like OpenAI and Google, developing evaluation frameworks, and creating networks to disseminate evidence-based practices. They choose this approach hoping to help bridge gaps that neither government nor markets adequately address, particularly important as AI development outpaces traditional curriculum cycles. One concerning trend that Elizabeth observes when discussing AI adoption in schools is the well-meaning but counterproductive “no AI” policies that prevent students from developing critical skills for their futures. She, instead, advocates for thoughtful implementation guided by clear educational purposes and robust evaluation of outcomes. The conversation also highlights mathematics as an area with AI potential. Elizabeth describes how AI can support personalised learning by instantly diagnosing specific prerequisite skill gaps and delivering targeted instruction which is a process that traditionally required extensive teacher time and effort. Other suggestions for school leaders that are mentioned by Elizabeth in the episode include: * Involve teachers in evaluating AI tools by encouraging them to test the systems' boundaries * Align on the specific educational problems AI should solve before implementation * Look beyond data security to broader considerations of pedagogical quality * Create transparent communication channels with parents about AI's purpose and impact Throughout the discussion, Elizabeth emphasises the need for healthy skepticism about AI-generated data, balanced with recognition of its potential to enhance parent engagement and address learning gaps when implemented with clear purpose and ongoing assessment. Tune in to discover how one of education's most powerful philanthropies is working behind the scenes to ensure AI serves teachers and students, not the other way around.

When Your Students Trusts AI Over You

Our guest for this episode is Calvin Eden, the founder of LoudSpeaker who works with students across the UK through high-energy and interactive workshops on topics like resilience, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships. Calvin meets young people in his everyday work, and seeing AI tools become a growing part of students' social and emotional lives reinforces his belief in the urgent need for schools to strengthen young people's confidence, communication skills, and sense of belonging. One major theme in his conversation with Daniel is the importance of human connection. While AI can be a useful tool in different ways, young people need to practice communication, build relationships with others, and learn to speak about their own vulnerability and ask teachers and parents for help when needed. He warns that if AI becomes a substitute for human interaction, students may become less resilient and more isolated. Their conversation also explores the student voice. Daniel shares Good Future Foundation's belief that students should help shape responsible AI policies in schools. Calvin agrees and describes how his work supports schools to build student voice strategies, run student conferences, and create opportunities for young people to be heard. Calvin also encourages school leaders to create a culture where staff and students connect as people, not just through formal roles. He wraps up the conversation by inviting educators to share stories, talk honestly about challenges and failures, and celebrate what they are proud of with their students to build a school environment where young people feel seen, safe, and valued.

The AI Research to Classroom Gap No One is Talking About

In this episode, Daniel sits down with Erin Mote of InnovateEDU about how education systems are responding to AI and where current approaches are falling short. Erin challenges the assumption that progress in education operates within fixed limits. She argues that system-level change depends on collaboration, shared practice, and open infrastructure rather than competition between schools, organisations, or regions. This approach underpins the work of the EDSAFE AI Alliance, which brings together policymakers, educators, and industry to define practical standards for AI use. Its SAFE framework focuses on safety, accountability, fairness, transparency and efficacy, with direct implications for procurement, policy and classroom practice. The conversation addresses the tension between the pace of AI adoption and the slower development of traditional evidence. Schools are already using these tools at scale, while formal research remains limited. Erin outlines the need for informed, iterative decision making supported by shared insight across systems. There is also a detailed discussion of risk. AI-driven personalisation has potential, but current implementations can narrow opportunity through rigid progression models, limited student agency and the use of sensitive data in ways that affect outcomes. These issues require closer scrutiny of how tools are designed and deployed. For school leaders, the priority is to act with intent. Building AI literacy across students, staff and parents is identified as the most immediate and practical step. Current usage levels among educators are high, while formal guidance remains inconsistent, creating a gap that needs to be addressed quickly. Erin also shares resources from InnovateEDU, including policy frameworks, planning tools and AI literacy materials designed to support schools in making informed decisions. The discussion returns throughout to the role of shared standards and coordinated action. Where systems align on safety and implementation, progress becomes more consistent and risks are easier to manage. Resources shared by Erin in this episode: * InnovateEDU Manifesto [https://www.innovateedunyc.org/the-innovateedu-manifesto] * New York City Public Schools policy and guideline [https://www.aipolicylab.org/post/new-york-city-public-schools-guidance-on-artificial-intelligence-ai] * EdSafe policy paper on chatbots and companions [https://www.edsafeai.org/safieaichatbots] * 2026 evidence report (released in March with Instructure [https://www.innovateedunyc.org/evidence-report-2026] and the list of 150 tools classification [https://www.instructure.com/resources/research-reports/top-150-tools-consumer-technology-and-edtech]) * AI literacy blueprint paper [https://www.edsafeai.org/blueprint-for-action-ai-literacy]

Dr. Biljana Scott: Language as Our Defining Asset

What makes human communication unique in an age of increasingly sophisticated AI? Daniel Emmerson invites Dr. Biljana Scott, a linguist with expertise in diplomatic communication and language analysis, to explore this question in depth. With her multilingual background and extensive experience in teaching the nuances of communication, Biljana probes the complex interplay between human language and AI interaction. Their conversation illuminates whether our increasing reliance on AI might reshape how we think and express ourselves, unpacks linguistic concepts like “presuppositions” in everyday speech, and reveals how the terminology we use to describe AI carries powerful connotations that fundamentally shape our relationship with technology.

Claire Archibald: Creating Effective AI Governance Structures in Schools

Is having an AI policy enough to protect your school? In this episode, Daniel Emmerson speaks with Claire Archibald, Legal Director at Brown Jacobson and former Data Protection Officer, about what effective AI governance in schools looks like. Their conversation covers essential topics including what makes a good Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), the importance of vendor due diligence, and why schools need robust governance structures beyond just having an AI policy. Claire emphasises the critical role of incident reporting, creating transparent cultures around AI use, and the need for collaborative approaches involving all stakeholders. She also shares a six-step governance framework and practical advice for schools starting their AI journey.