Have you ever talked to an architect of the digital revolution that shaped our world?

We spoke with early-stage Apple alum Dan'l Lewin, who took us on a remarkable journey from the dawn of personal computing to our AI-powered present while offering rare insights as someone who helped bring the first computers into America's classrooms.

Growing up in upstate New York with a second-grade teacher who taught him binary math, Dan'l's path led him to Silicon Valley in 1976 where he ended up working next door to Steves Jobs and Wozniak. After joining Apple during the development of the Lisa system (precursor to the Macintosh), he spearheaded their strategy to introduce Apple computers to universities before they conquered the broader market.

Our conversation with Dan'l explores how computing evolved over two distinct 25-year periods: from 1975-2000, when computers optimized rational tasks with limited connectivity; to the post-1997 era when the web transformed everything into interconnected systems. Dan'l talks about where AI fits in this historical arc and suggests that, much like early computing, AI's initial impact will mostly happen behind corporate firewalls before reshaping society as a whole.

Dan'l also examines what AI means for human learning and development. He presents AI as potentially "a personal GPS for every learner" that could reroute students when they make errors, but also worries about what happens to deep-thinking in an era of instant, surface-level answers.

For educators, technologists, and anyone concerned about our collective future, our conversation with Dan'l offers a perspective from someone who has witnessed (and shaped) the way technology has transformed how we learn, work, and connect.

Learn more about Dan'l Lewin:

• computerhistory.org/profile/danl-lewin-2
• linkedin.com/in/dlewin1

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What if we stopped trying to 'fix' students and instead fixed our educational system?

As CEO of CAST, (the Center for Applied Special Technology) Lindsay Jones helps schools utilize Universal Design for Learning to create inclusive education systems for all students.

Starting with the premise that "people aren't broken," Lindsay guides us through CAST's journey from its 1984 founding (when Harvard neuroscientists were first bringing personal computers into education) to today's AI revolution. She shares how their early work with students with significant disabilities evolved into the universal design for learning framework now implemented worldwide.

The parallels between the early Internet era and today's AI landscape provide valuable perspective. Just as educators once worried about students accessing information online, today's concerns about AI reveal our need to normalize new technology while thoughtfully addressing its implications. Lindsay argues that the current moment presents a unique opportunity to build accessibility into AI educational tools from the ground up, rather than expensive retrofitting later.

Lindsay also emphasizes the irreplaceable role of human educators – while AI offers powerful support, the "magic moments" when teachers connect with students and transform their learning cannot be automated. Universal design isn't about creating 30 different lesson plans for 30 different brains, it's about removing barriers so all students can access learning in ways that work for them.

For parents seeking to advocate for better design, educators looking to integrate AI thoughtfully, or technologists aiming to create truly accessible tools, this episode offers both practical wisdom and bold vision for education's future.

Learn more about CAST:

• CAST.org
• linkedin.com/company/castorg/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/

What good is 'innovation in edtech' if millions of students can't access it?

Dr. Keisha King takes us on her journey from classroom teacher to education technology leader at T-Mobile, showing how authentic educator perspectives can transform tech initiatives in schools. With a background in virtual schooling and curriculum development, Dr. King brings a uniquely grounded approach to her work in connecting millions of students to the Internet.

At the heart of Dr. King's philosophy is a powerful framework: "Curriculum is the foundation, pedagogy is the method, and technology is the support." This perspective has guided her leadership of Project 10Million, T-Mobile's $10.7 billion commitment that has connected over 6 million students across 4,000 school districts with no-cost hotspots and five years of service.

Despite that progress, Dr. King candidly acknowledges the digital divide's persistence as pandemic-era connectivity programs expire. "Under-served populations are accustomed to programs coming and going," she notes, highlighting how short-term interventions often leave students with devices that become "paperweights" without ongoing connectivity. This reality creates real challenges as schools adopt AI and other advanced technologies, potentially widening rather than narrowing opportunity gaps.

Our conversation with Dr. King offers invaluable insight for educators, technology leaders, and policymakers who are navigating the intersection of innovation and access in schools. Her approach (listening deeply to educators' needs rather than prescribing solutions) provides a powerful model for corporate-education partnerships that truly serve students and their communities.

Learn more about Dr. Kiesha King and T-Mobile's Project 10Million:

• t-mobile.com/brand/project-10-million
• linkedin.com/in/kieshart/

aiEDU: The AI Education Project

• aiEDU.org
• linkedin.com/company/aiedu/