AI and the Human Side of Learning

Season 2, Episode 14 — with Craig Smith

AI is a topic that can divide a room pretty quickly.

For some, it represents exciting possibilities for the way we learn, work and support one another. For others, there are important questions around safety, privacy, creativity, critical thinking, the environment and what we might lose as these technologies become a bigger part of our lives.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Craig Smith, Manager of Technology and Innovation at Positive Partnerships, educator, author and international speaker, and creator of The Universal Sandpit.

Rather than trying to find all the answers, this conversation explores some of the questions.

Josh and Craig talk about:

• How AI might support executive functioning, including planning, organisation, task initiation and managing thoughts.
• Craig's idea of the “administration team of the brain” and what this might help us understand about the challenges some students experience.
• Using AI as a tool for reflection, conversation and scaffolding, rather than simply outsourcing our thinking.
• Neurodiversity and AI, and why different people may experience and use technology in very different ways.
• The idea of double empathy and how it might change the way we think about AI, social interaction and what we consider “normal”.
• How we can support children to understand what AI actually is, rather than treating it as a magical black box.
• Finding the balance between safety and experimentation when children and young people are learning about new technologies.
• Craig's “mountain” analogy and the importance of allowing children to develop their own thinking rather than using AI as a shortcut.
• How AI can support creativity and play, including Craig's experience of creating a video game with his son.
• The Universal Sandpit and the practical AI tools Craig has developed to support inclusive education.
• The potential for AI to help educators connect students' strengths and interests with classroom learning.
• The ethical questions surrounding AI — including the potential environmental, social and workplace impacts — alongside the possible benefits for inclusion and accessibility.

One of the ideas we keep coming back to is that two things can be true at the same time: AI can create significant challenges, while also offering opportunities that may genuinely benefit some students and educators.

And perhaps that's the point of this conversation. We don't have all the answers yet — but there is value in asking the questions, exploring what is possible and trying to understand how different people experience these technologies.

Where to find out more about Craig

The Universal Sandpit — Craig's collection of AI-powered tools and resources for inclusive education. The site currently includes tools for educators and students covering areas such as executive functioning, lesson planning, differentiation, visual supports, task analysis and more.

The Universal Sandpit

Craig Smith on LinkedIn — Craig regularly shares his experiments, ideas and work around AI, education, neurodiversity and technology.

Craig Smith on LinkedIn

Find out more about Craig

Music Credits

🎵 “Ember” — The Lakes
🎵 “Green Leaves” — The Lakes

Music sourced from Uppbeat.