In this episode of ChatEDU (Signals in the Noise – The Stories That Kept Popping Up on ChatEDU), Matt and Liz reflect on 2025’s defining AI themes, invite listener voice memos as ChatEDU nears episode 100, and close with a sharp Bright Byte editorial.
Rundown
School AI Flags Clarinet as Gun
A Florida school locked down after an AI system mistook a student’s clarinet for a rifle. Matt and Liz unpack what happens when AI surveillance gets it wrong.
How Students Are Using AI Agents
Data from 100M queries shows students use agentic AI for real academic work, not entertainment.
Wrong Answers Only
Anna Mills sparked a playful thread on AI doing your coursework. Liz shares the best replies and five agentic browser–proof ideas.
Portfolio Defense and the Rise of Real Assessment
Matt and Liz explore a shift toward student-led defenses, supported by tools like NotebookLM.
NotebookLM Chat History
The new chat history feature allows students to track AI conversations across devices.
NotebookLM May Soon Work Inside Gemini
Google may integrate NotebookLM into Gemini, enabling grounded notes in broader chats.
AI Literacy for All Majors
LSU’s student government is pushing for a free, noncredit AI certificate open to all students.
The One-Chatbot Classroom?
Niral Shah challenges “one bot per child,” with Matt and Liz pointing to collaborative AI learning instead.
AI Storytelling and Student Projects
From AI storytellers to student-built health apps, Matt and Liz show what meaningful AI learning looks like.
Beneath the Surface
Matt and Liz revisit key stories and themes from 2025, with help from Ethan Mollick and their custom NotebookLM.
Bright Byte: AI Hype Distracts Us from Important Breakthroughs
Flashy AI grabbed headlines, but Margaret Mitchell points to predictive AI as the real progress. Matt and Liz highlight why it matters.
Announcements and Sponsor
Learning They'll Love - Dr. Elizabeth Radday
ASCD: https://tinyurl.com/bde652nn - discount code RADDAY30
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/22t9hz77
Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdckf6zw
The Winter Micro-Credential launches in January. Join educators from around the world for a six-week dive into AI literacy, pedagogy, assessment, and ethics. www.skills21.org/ai/micro
EdAdvance is offering their Middle and High School Student AI Literacy course — email chatedu@edadvance.org to bring it to your district. www.skills21.org/ai/learnai
Interested in Skills21’s FREE social media literacy course? Check it out here - https://www.skills21.org/social-balance
The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is proud to partner with the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium. Join educators at the NAAIC AI Summit:
February 19–20, 2026Miami Dade College, Downtown Miami
www.naaic.ai
Listener Call-Out
As ChatEDU approaches its 100th episode, Matt and Liz want to hear from you!Send in a short audio message: How has ChatEDU impacted your thinking or work?
Email your clip to: chatedu@edadvance.org
Links
AI Saw a Gun. It Was a Clarinet.
https://tinyurl.com/pvaxys3j
AI Agents: Early Evidence from Perplexity
https://tinyurl.com/mpd6yrx4
Anna Mills: AI Agents Wrong Answers
https://tinyurl.com/mvurrtzk
5 AI-Proof Assessment Ideas
https://tinyurl.com/5n7eah2v
Phillip Alcock on Notebook LM
https://tinyurl.com/5xz863u4
NotebookLM rolls out chat history, adds AI Ultra tier
https://tinyurl.com/2t4h8u8a
NotebookLM Comes to Gemini
https://tinyurl.com/47pmxa7b
LSU Students Push for AI Education
https://tinyurl.com/ytaumrmy
Why “One Chatbot per Child” Doesn’t Work
https://tinyurl.com/366s3fbc
Storyteller Is the Hottest New Job Title
https://tinyurl.com/3zmt4y6w
“AI Slop” Is Merriam-Webster’s 2025 Word
https://tinyurl.com/2s3up4yc
Wrapped Prompt
https://tinyurl.com/2eaxfy57
Mollick Year in Review
https://tinyurl.com/yhw7trav
The Shape of AI
https://tinyurl.com/ya2a4j6z
AI Hype Hides Real Breakthrough
hshttps://tinyurl.com/m36udesr
ChatEDU – The AI & Education Podcast