Why the Gates Foundation Is Betting on AI in Education

The Gates Foundation recently pledged $1 billion over two years for AI efforts, with a large share going to education. Why the big AI push, even as Bill Gates warns of the technology's possible downsides for society? And what does the foundation see as the most effective uses of AI in education, and how is it guarding against unintended consequences?

Articles mentioned this episode:

“Gates Foundation Pledges $1 Billion to Combat A.I. Inequality,” in The New York Times.

“The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical,” by Bill Gates.

“Can AI Improve Intro Courses? A New Courseware Project Hopes So,” in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

“One Click Away: AI Tutoring with Khanmigo in a Two-Year School Experiment,” at the National Bureau of Economic Research.

EPISODE CREDITS: 

Reported and produced by Jeff Young

Music by Komiku

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