What would it look like to teach AI literacy the way UC Berkeley teaches data science? hands-on, interdisciplinary, and open? In this episode of My Robot Teacher, Sarah and Taiyo talk with Eric Van Dusen from Berkeley’s College of Computing, Data Science, and Society about how the wildly successful Data 8: Foundations of Data Science course became a scalable model for modern computing education.
On this episode of My Robot Teacher, Sarah and Taiyo sit down with Jason Goldman – co-host of the film podcast Escape Hatch (formerly Dune Pod), early Twitter employee, and former Chief Digital Officer of the White House – to unpack how Hollywood has shaped the way we think (and panic) about AI and its impact on our classrooms.
Generative AI is reshaping classrooms and campuses, but with whose values, and at what cost? In this episode, Safiya Umoja Noble, author of Algorithms of Oppression and Founder of the UCLA Center on Resilience and Digital Justice, joins Sarah and Taiyo to unpack why “neutral” AI isn’t neutral, why interdisciplinarity is hard but essential, and what a public‑interest technology ecosystem in higher ed could look like.
Although artificial intelligence is revolutionizing education by enhancing learning and streamlining administrative tasks, many faculty members struggle to create clear and effective AI use policies. This recorded webinar, designed for college faculty, instructional designers, and academic administrators, offers guidance on integrating AI responsibly, ethically, and equitably.
This session features a panel discussion with educators from the California Community Colleges, CSU, and UC systems who have successfully incorporated AI guidelines into their classroom policies, giving participants valuable insights and strategies for crafting AI policies that foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment while preserving academic integrity.
Watch this inspiring panel where leading educators and AI experts explore the transformative potential of AI in enhancing active learning. Hear from faculty who have successfully integrated AI to foster student engagement and improve learning experiences.
Moderated by the Learning Lab FIRST team and featuring guest panelists from the California Community Colleges, the CSU, and the UC systems, this recorded discussion delves into real-world applications, challenges, and successes of integrating AI in pedagogical practices.
WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER:
✓ Real-world examples of AI-enhanced active learning strategies
✓ How faculty across California’s higher education systems are using AI
✓ Practical approaches to fostering student engagement with AI
✓ Challenges and solutions in AI integration
✓ Success stories from the classroom
✓ Cross-institutional perspectives on AI in teaching
Perfect for educators looking to leverage AI tools to create more engaging, interactive learning experiences for their students.
Today’s learners are preparing for a future of work where gen AI fluency will be expected. At the same time, gen AI’s considerable environmental impacts are causing unmistakable alarm. Join us for this recorded town hall conversation on what these expectations and concerns mean for the future of teaching and learning.
Our expert panelists explore the intersection of AI literacy, environmental responsibility, and educational practice—helping educators navigate this complex landscape thoughtfully and intentionally.
FEATURED GUESTS:
Professor Robert D. Cormia – Department of Chemistry, Foothill College
Professor Eugene Cordero – Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, San Jose State University
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
✓ The environmental footprint of generative AI technologies
✓ Balancing AI fluency with environmental sustainability
✓ What educators need to know about AI’s energy and resource consumption
✓ Strategies for teaching AI literacy responsibly
✓ Preparing students for an AI-integrated, climate-conscious future An essential conversation for educators committed to both technological innovation and environmental stewardship.
Originally Recorded: May 21, 2025
As generative AI becomes more integrated into education, the way we assess student learning is rapidly evolving. Join us for this recorded webinar exploring practical strategies for creating assessments that promote critical thinking, originality, and engagement while remaining resilient to AI misuse.
Our expert panelists discuss how to refine existing assignments, share examples of innovative assessment designs, and offer ways to uphold academic integrity without overhauling your entire course design. Whether you’re looking for quick adjustments or new ideas, this session provides actionable strategies you can implement right away.
PANELISTS:
Victoria Delaney – Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University
Souzan Sahakian – Adjunct Professor of ESL, Orange County Teacher of the Year 2024, North Orange Continuing Education
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:
✓ Practical tips for navigating assessment challenges in the age of AI
✓ Real-world examples of innovative assessment designs
✓ Strategies to promote authentic student learning
✓ Ways to uphold academic integrity in your courses
✓ Quick adjustments you can make to existing assignments
Perfect for faculty members looking to adapt their assessment practices for today’s AI-integrated classrooms.
Originally Recorded: March 12, 2025
Leveraging AI & Engaging Faculty in Public Higher Education in California.
Learning Lab’s AI Initiative brings together California’s public higher education community to thoughtfully explore AI’s transformative potential in teaching and learning through collaborative resources, expert insights, and ongoing professional development. Join educators and leaders who are actively shaping the future of AI-enhanced education while addressing critical challenges around equity, academic integrity, and meaningful student engagement.
To Build AI Literacy, Return to the Humanities : Why reading and writing skills matter more than ever in the age of AI
In our latest post, UC Davis writing instructor Marit MacArthur challenges the common assumption that students need more STEM skills to succeed in an AI world. Instead, she argues that reading and writing—traditional humanities skills—are more critical than ever for developing true AI literacy.
MacArthur warns against the rise of “slop” (low-quality AI-generated content) and “brain rot” from overconsumption of AI output. Her key insight: the real danger isn’t obviously bad AI content, but seemingly authoritative text that appears correct but isn’t—something only skilled human readers can detect.
She also reframes “prompt engineering” as what it really is: prompt writing. This shift in perspective highlights why disciplinary experts excel at crafting effective prompts while novices struggle—it’s about understanding context, audience, and purpose, not technical engineering skills.
Read the full post on our Substack
More on our Substack:
![My Robot Teacher Ep04: A New Hope [for AI in College Writing]](https://calearninglab.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ep03-the-end-of-literacy-as-we-know-it-how-chatgpt-exposed-whats-broken-in-education-1600x900.jpg)
How do we teach writing in the age of ChatGPT? On My Robot Teacher, hosts Taiyo Inoue and Sarah Senk talk with Carl Whithaus (Professor of Writing & Rhetoric; Director, University Writing Program, UC Davis) and Aparna Sinha (Associate Professor of Composition & Rhetoric, Cal Poly Maritime) about how AI is reshaping the composition classroom, and how educators can use LLMs to support critical thinking, metacognition, and student agency without flattening student voice.
Key topics include:
00:00-2:51 Chapter 1 – Why Meaningful Assignments Beat AI Shortcuts
2:52-17:38 Chapter 2 – AI Literacy is the New Sex Ed
17:39-30:15 Chapter 3 – Foundational Skills
30:16-36:44 Chapter 4 – Why Writing Still Matters (and how to make it Mean Something)
36:45-41:40 Chapter 5 – Can We Imagine a Post-Literate non-Dystopian World?
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