You know that feeling when you’re listening to a podcast, watching a video, or hearing someone speak, and you find yourself nodding along, thinking, Yes. That’s it. This is fantastic?
I had that experience twice recently, and I am egaer to share them with you. I spend more time than I care to admit listening to presentations, discussions, and conversations about emerging technology and AI. A lot of it is just okay, but every now and then, I come across a few real gems.
Both of these resources are completely free, and both are highly relevant to the work so many of you do every day — whether you’re supporting students, working in healthcare, coaching someone through a challenge, or helping a family navigate technology for an aging loved one.
Resource #1: “Did a Robot Write ThisReport?”
Managing AI Cheating — 2026 Version
Eric Curts | Free 1-hour video
I know “AI cheating” sounds like a classroom issue. But stay with me, because Eric Curts reframes it in a way that matters to anyone helping others learn.
This is not really about catching cheaters. It is about understanding what AI is doing to the concept of learning itself — and how we can design environments where genuine growth still happens.
In this video, Eric explores:
How to adjust assignments and tasks so AI becomes a bridge to learning, not a bypass
Tools that help reveal what a person actually did versus what was AI-generated
How to build clear, fair AI use guidelines in different settings
Why the answer is not simply “ban it” — and what to do instead
For those of you working with students, therapy clients, or anyone learning a new skill, the ideas here go far beyond the classroom. When we help people learn with technology rather than lean on it, we build real capability and confidence.
Watch it free here
Resource #2: AmpED to 11 Podcast — AI in the Hands of Students
Hosts Brett Roer and Rebecca Bultsma, with guest Alana Winnick | Free podcast episode
Alana Winnick is an EdTech Director and author of The Generative Age, and she speaks to something I think about all the time: what happens when the people we’re supporting actually get to be in charge of the technology, rather than simply receiving it?
This conversation is energizing, thought-provoking, and full of ideas that may get your wheels turning.
A few highlights that stayed with me:
“If it’s AI-able, it’s not a good assignment” — a powerful mindset shift for anyone designing learning experiences
Eight-year-olds building chatbots and giving TED-style talks — yes, amazing!
How ignoring AI access creates a new kind of digital divide, and why that matters for the populations we serve
What it looks like to put the learner in the driver’s seat, rather than just placing tools in the teacher’s hands
This episode had me thinking about my own work in new ways. I hope it does the same for you.
Listen free here
Both of these speakers are wrestling with the same question I think about all the time: How do we help people embrace AI in a way that truly serves them, without letting it replace the thinking and learning that build capability and confidence while maintaining privacy?
There are no easy answers. But conversations like these are exactly where the good thinking happens.
If you listen to one or both of these recordings, I’d love to hear your biggest takeaway.
With warmth — and a lot of bookmarked tabs:)
Do you enjoy learning about and discussing these topics with others?
If so, please reach out to me to learn about the Tech Life Inner Circle and perhaps joining as a guest if you haven’t yet attended. We meet every week for a bit of social time, a 10-15 minute Tech Talk, and plenty of time for “Ask me Anything” tech support and discussion.