AI & Education

A Human-Centered Approach to AI

The importance of designing tools that center users to ensure inclusive outcomes

As a productivity tool, AI can support students and help transform existing systems, creating new opportunities for growth. But as educators navigate the rapidly changing landscape, it’s not without challenges, including ensuring that AI use is accessible and equitable.

In this Conversation with the Dean, Dean Penny Bishop is joined by BU Wheelock’s Michael Chang,  the Margaret McGuire Earl Career Development Professor and assistant director of the Earl Center for Learning & Innovation, and TJ McKenna, clinical assistant professor of science education and program director of the college’s new AI & Education program. 

In addition, Michaela Boeder (Wheelock’28), Gia Kim (Wheelock’27), and Ana Lindert-Boyes (Wheelock’26) joined the conversation. The three students are part of the Design for Learning Futures with AI (DELFAI) Fellowship program—a collaborative initiative between BU Wheelock and Computing Data & Sciences (CDS). 

Passionate about the possibilities surrounding AI use, this group of faculty and student explore how to tackle the ethical challenges associated with AI and how it can help rethink educational systems.

Watch the webinar

Highlights from the Conversation

Educators’ role in the AI conversation

I recently read a piece in the Wall Street Journal where leaders from Anthropic and other AI companies were asked what career advice they give their kids. None of them said, “learn to code.” Instead, they emphasized critical thinking, adaptability, empathy, ethical judgment, creativity, and human connection. That made me smile, because those are exactly the things good teaching has always focused on. […] That’s why it’s so important that educators lead the conversation about AI in education, rather than chasing behind it.

T.J. McKenna

Designing AI tools for inclusivity

When we think about building the tool […] we also have to think about who we’re designing those tools with and how we’re creating the space for people to work together across different contexts. It’s not as easy as putting all these people, all these different kinds of experts, at the same table, right? We have to actually design it very carefully to start to imagine kinds of education that are equitable and supporting heterogeneous forms of learning—and even coming to envision possibilities for learning that we might not see in our school today.

Michael Chang

Facing the hard questions on AI

It really taught me a lot about having those uncomfortable dialogues when talking about the responsible use of AI. They can be uncomfortable at times, but they’re necessary if we want to build a future that is inclusive of all learners.

Michaela Boeder

Conversations with the Dean are a series of webinars hosted by Dean Bishop that explore some of the most pressing topics in education. Learn more about Conversations with the Dean.