Hype, Hope, and the Human Element in AI and Education

This week's episode of Modem Futura touches on OpenAI's rumored $20k AI tiers, the Ethic of Care in classrooms, and how Dewey’s “four impulses” can reshape teaching and learning

Image: Midjourney

In the latest episode of Modem Futura, Sean Leahy and I dive into eye-watering rumors about OpenAI's new pricing tiers—$20k per month anyone? We discuss the pitfalls of over-hyping advanced AI, but also season this with a soupçon of hope. I get excited about bringing the concept of “care” into technology innovation, and Sean channels his inner John Dewey to remind us why education should nurture curiosity, not just test-taking.

Listen below on Apple Podcasts or on Spotify or YouTube. There are also jumping-in points below if you want to cut to the chase [this week brought to you courtesy of OpenAI’s Whisper technology and o1-Pro):

OpenAI’s Rumored High-Cost Tiers
10:59–16:07

We discuss reports that OpenAI may introduce extremely high-priced “tiers” (e.g., $2,000/month for knowledge worker AI, $10,000/month for developer AI, and $20,000/month for “PhD-level” AI). We talk about the credibility of these rumors, consider whether the market will bear such costs, and compare it to earlier $200/month plans.

The AI Hype Cycle and Potential Disillusionment
16:07–25:00

The conversation turns to concern about the hype around AI, the possibility of overpromising, and how that might trigger a major “trough of disillusionment.” We question whether investors will remain patient, worry about the mismatch between current hype and real productivity gains (e.g., no measurable impact on GDP yet), and ponder if big AI companies might become “dinosaurs.”

Rethinking Education with AI: Process vs. Product
25:00–36:00

Our focus shifts to how AI tools affect teaching and learning. In our conversation we emphasize that education should be about process, not just outputs. We talk about to how AI might replace rote tasks but can also free educators and learners to engage more deeply. And we discuss the TPACK model (Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge) and the importance of giving teachers agency over technology integration.

The Ethic of Care in Technology and Teaching
6:00–44:30

We introduce the concept of “care” as a framework and the idea that technology decisions should be guided by a duty of care toward learners and educators. This means asking how tools will positively or negatively impact real learning communities. We suggest that genuine concern for student well-being is often overlooked in top-down tech adoption.

Dewey’s Four Impulses and Reshaping Assessment
44:30–59:21

Drawing on John Dewey’s impulses (inquiry, communication, construction, expression), we explore how AI can spark creativity and curiosity rather than replace authentic learning. We also question the value of traditional tests and grades, noting that AI and new pedagogical approaches might enable a richer, more process-oriented mode of learning and assessment. (And extra points if you spot my fluff in this segment!)

As always you can watch the episode on YouTube as well as listening to us:

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Thanks!

Andrew

1. One of the few ways we get feedback on whether the podcast is having the impact we hope is through ratings and reviews. We would be incredibly grateful if you we able to spend a couple of seconds rating us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. You need to be signed in to Spotify or the Apple Podcast app, but from there it’s as simple as selecting how many stars you give us. And if you feel up to leaving us a review — even better. And to make things even easier, we even created a short video showing you how its done 😀 — Thanks!