E35-There is a Whole Lot of AI going on here

NewTech High Blog

May 7, 2026

You can't hardly read anything without seeing some reference to AI. We just heard from Will Grube yesterday. We have AI Hawks that predict that AI will take over major portions of our workforce or even a large institution like education. We also have AI skeptics that indicate that things will stay more status quo regardless of the potential impact on paper to stock markets, economies, work forces, institutions, etc. 

In my mind, it doesn't really matter. There are some things that HELP you to change regardless of how that change is manifested in your institutions. As an example, we can look back to our first glimpses of the Internet 30 years ago thinking this was going to be the BIG CHANGE. Maybe the Internet changed everything, maybe it didn't? Regardless, there are three topics of interest that I will share in this blog with several shades of AI related to education. 

Human-centered approach key in classroom AI implementation

This article emphasizes that human-centered practices are essential in today's age. We talk about AI and radical change often. This isn't because we/I are just big proponents on AI's potential. This is because we are thinking that AI is one of those disruptions that is inevitable for all institutions. Most of us in this realm believe our educational systems will change because of them, but also because of our NEED to change. 

Our position is that the high schools we created were never positioned to help schools personalize, or to help schools best meet the needs of students. It's the fault of no one. We have created the best system we are able. Yet, our belief is that AI will drive the nail in the coffin of our traditional view of HS education UNLESS we become more personal and human-centered. Here are some excerpts: 

When implementing artificial intelligence tools in schools, educators should take a human-centered approach, remaining mindful of “elements that technology can’t replace but can erode or strengthen depending on how it’s used,” says Maddy Sims, a senior fellow at the Center on Reinventing Public Education.

The paper, published by CRPE earlier this year, resulted from a gathering of 40 educators, researchers, funders, technology experts and parents held by the organization in November.

AI fears push Twin Cities students to rethink career paths

There are two relevant quick articles that I got from Axios recently. I would strongly urge you to subscribe to Axios because their format allows you to get short excerpts of news items in your self-chosen topic areas. In addition, you can dig deeper in their links if you are interested, kinda like this blog's intent. 

The first article in this link is about AI and college students. At my grandson's birthday party the other day. He is 14. I asked him what he thinks he is going to be when he grows up. He stated a mortician. I asked him why. He said, "It is AI proof. People are always going to die and someone will have to process that." I was pretty impressed.

Nearly half of college students say they've thought at least a fair amount about changing their major or studies because of AI's potential impact, according to recent polling from Lumina Foundation and Gallup. 

Driving the fears: College graduates are entering a tumultuous job market that's been rocked by a massive tech evolution, reshaping career prospects for entry-level workers. Concerns about the economy add to the stress.

The second article in this link is about how the University of Minnesota is welding AI into their existing programs. As an example, 

What's next: The U is developing an AI minor that marries computational classes with electives on issues ranging from environmental and ethical issues to the use of the technology in specific scientific disciplines.

The net effect of all of these motions is that you can't deny the potential, or the inevitability, that there will be massive changes in our long-held institutions. At minimum, you need to discuss these elements comfortably with your parents, students and staff. 

On Wednesday, Bob Wedl and I visited Paladin Career Prep HS in Coon Rapids and Open Way Learning (OWL) School in the Humboldt building of St. Paul. Both visits were tremendously impressive, even with perhaps different styles. Brandon Waite, Principal and his staff at PCP and Dave Gundale, Principal and his students at OWL gave us grand and invested tours. Thank you Brandon and Dave! 

OWL was going through their CREW program on the day on the day of our visit. The themed topic being intentionally discussed were multiple conversations on the role of AI in their schools and their lives. This certainly supports the merit of these topics in schools. Everyone should have a plan of dissemination and discussion on how AI is going to affect a student's schooling and their future. This is most importantly a student voice topic that should be addressed.

Misconceptions, Misunderstandings and Divisions about the Value of College

We are all conflicted as to the value of the things we invest large amounts of time and money into something, like our college education. Some pundits suggest we need to double down on the value of a college degree, others portend its declining value. Surprisingly, individuals from both parties seem to be leaning the same direction -- those who say it is very important is declining.

By the numbers: In 2013, 68% of Republicans said a college education was very important; this year that number fell to 20%, per Gallup.

• There's an even split between Republicans who say it's "not too important" (39%) and those who say it's "fairly important" (39%).
• Democrats went from 83% who said college was "very important" to 42%. Most, however, describe college as "fairly important."

Hold the phone! Households led by college graduates earn more than double than those of HS graduates. I wonder if we don't have to ask the question , "Is this because of correlation or causation?" Consider someone like Charlie Kirk. Clearly, he did well financially without any college. Or, perhaps someone who has done well in college may have done worse if they pursued a bachelors' degree in some easier, non-paying major? 

Once again, I am not questioning going to college if it is part of your pathway of interest. I do question going to college without really knowing what for. We've all heard this statement, "I'm just going to go to get my generals and see what happens from there." EEK!! We want our high schools to think about relevance, purpose and direction. When asked the question, "Does your high school actually have an impact on a student's life beyond the basics like social value, athletic competitions, etc?", I want to be able to say yes without question! 

• The median income in a household headed by someone with at least a bachelor's degree was $132,700 last year — that's more than double the $58,410 median income of a household led by a high-school grad, according to Census income data released last week.