Taylor Swift, AI and Elections—Oh My: Navigating the School Year Ahead with AI Educator Brain
Dive into learning how AI can be used in education with these free webinars from SML Director Kelly Booz and NYC Educator Sari Beth Rosenberg.
Happy September and the start of a new school year! How are you holding up? If you’re like me, you’re probably doubling down on your coffee intake, bracing yourself for the whirlwind ahead, and maybe even sneaking in some Taylor Swift lyrics to keep the energy up. (Yes, I’m a proud Swiftie—hard to avoid when you have a middle schooler at home who plays the newest album, TTPD (aka “The Tortured Poets Department) on repeat and frequently speculates when the “Reputation” TV (aka Taylor’s Version) is dropping).
But let’s get real for a moment. It’s not just about the hustle of getting back into the classroom groove that’s driving your beverage intake. The news is riddled with the presidential election, and unless you’re hiding under a rock, you can’t avoid it. Whether it’s the latest controversy, political ad, or heated debates on social media, it’s hard to escape the noise and tension surrounding this year's election. And then add in artificial intelligence and the impact AI has on the election and future of democracy, and I am off for a third Starbucks run.
Our students already use AI—and they’ll continue to use it; that train has left the station. Our job is to ensure they have the skills to navigate this new landscape responsibly.
This brings me to some exciting news: We’re bringing back our AI Educator Brain webinar series this fall, with a focus on the topics that matter most to you. And this year, we’ve got a lot to talk about.
First up, on Sept. 24, we’ll tackle AI literacy. As educators, we know that disinformation and misinformation have been thorny issues for years, especially around elections. But throw AI into the mix, and it’s like adding fuel to the fire. That’s why AI literacy is so crucial right now. Our students already use AI—and they’ll continue to use it; that train has left the station. Our job is to ensure they have the skills to navigate this new landscape responsibly.
To put this in perspective, let’s return to Taylor Swift. After the presidential debate on Sept. 10, Swift announced her endorsement for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz. She cited a viral AI-generated image falsely claiming she endorsed Donald Trump for president. Swift quickly set the record straight, explaining, “Recently, I was made aware that AI of ‘me’ falsely endorsing Donald Trump’s presidential run was posted to his site. It really conjured up my fears around AI and the dangers of spreading misinformation. It brought me to the conclusion that I need to be very transparent about my actual plans for this election as a voter. The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth.”
This upcoming webinar will underscore the importance of teaching our students to critically evaluate the content they encounter—whether it’s in the form of AI-generated videos or social media posts.
But AI literacy is just the beginning. Throughout the fall, we’ll also dive into other crucial topics, including:
Differentiation with AI
Ready to level up your differentiation game? We’ll explore how AI can revolutionize personalized learning in your classroom, making it easier than ever to meet the diverse needs of your students. Plus, we’ll show you how to bring parents into the loop, turning them into your strongest allies in supporting student success. With AI, differentiation doesn’t just become easier—it becomes a game-changer.
Mastering AI Prompts
Back by popular demand! Crafting the perfect prompt is like finding the secret password to unlock AI’s true potential in your classroom. We’ll guide you through live prompt crafting sessions, helping you refine your techniques to get the best, most creative AI outputs—all while keeping your expert teaching skills front and center.
Unconscious Bias in Grading
Can AI help us grade more fairly? We’ll delve into how AI can assist in identifying and mitigating unconscious bias in grading, ensuring a more equitable evaluation process for all students. This thoughtful discussion will also cover the ethical considerations and potential pitfalls, so you can use AI with confidence and care in your grading practices.
Parent AI Literacy
As AI continues to reshape education, it’s crucial to bring parents along for the ride. We’ll explore how to help parents build their AI literacy, empowering them to be active partners in their child’s education. From bridging the gap between home and school to making AI a positive force in communication, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to engage parents effectively.
This fall, we’re not just welcoming students back to school; we’re stepping into the future. Join us as we explore how AI can empower us as educators, enhancing our human creativity, deepening our connections with students, and supporting our roles as compassionate, thoughtful teachers. While we embrace the innovative possibilities AI offers, we remain grounded in the values that make education meaningful—equity, responsibility, and the irreplaceable human touch that only teachers can provide.
So, let’s shake it off, gear up, and dive into another exciting school year. See you virtually in the webinars! I’ll be me, human Kelly!
Register for all the webinars in the series.
2024 Election Lesson Plans and Resources
Explore our election resources to engage your students in learning about the election process and its significance at every level. Discover lessons on election fundamentals, laws, security, current events, youth involvement, and historic U.S. elections.
Join the AI and Education Community!
Join the team from the AI Educator Brain, which includes AFT’s Share My Lesson director Kelly Booz; New York City Public Schools teacher Sari Beth Rosenberg and EdBrAIn, our AI teammate (yes, it named and designed itself!). In this community, we will dissect the pros and cons of AI tools in education. Our mission: to determine how AI can support teaching and learning, and when it might be best to stick with tried-and-true methods.
Kelly Carmichael Booz oversees the AFT PreK-12 online resources serving 2.1 million educators on the AFT's ShareMyLesson.com, the AFT's E-Learning professional development platform, and the production and dissemination of PreK-12 publication for the AFT's 1.7 million members. Kelly was appointed by... See More
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