Mike Yates: Benefits of AI in Education

Mike Yates, a thought leader in education innovation, is paving the way for how artificial intelligence can reshape learning environments while maintaining the human connection that makes education so powerful. In our latest episode of the Learning Can’t Wait podcast, Yates shared his insights and experiences on AI integration, emphasizing the delicate balance between embracing technological advancements and nurturing the meaningful human interactions essential in education.

Empowering Students through AI

Mike Yates is deeply invested in moving students from passive consumers of technology to active creators. Through partnerships with major tech companies like Google, he hopes to put powerful AI tools into students' hands. Yates explains that he’s been in conversations with Google’s Code Next initiative and influential figures like Dr. Mary Jo Madda, a Teach for America alumna. These discussions center around how students can participate in in-person hackathons at Code Next Centers, where they would be guided through the process of using AI tools in real-world problem-solving scenarios. Yates says, “What we're talking about with them is how we can use Code Next Centers to run in-person hackathons with students… We want to turn you from consumer to creator."

Yates is excited about the potential of other AI tools, such as AWS’s lesser-known Party Rock AI builder, which provides a simple drag-and-drop interface to allow even non-programmers to create AI models. “Most people don’t even know about it,” Yates says with a chuckle, noting the common misconception that Party Rock is just a reference to a famous rap song. But in fact, Party Rock is a powerful AI tool. While its interface still needs refinement, Yates is optimistic about the future possibilities, saying, "Imagine this tool in the hands of students. They can learn that building AI is not about knowing a coding language—it’s about creativity and coaching. The only coding language you need is English."

For Yates, these technologies are game-changers for students. He believes that once young people realize the power of AI creation, it will become an integral part of how they approach problems, both in school and beyond. He envisions a future where a 17-year-old intern can walk into their workplace and present an AI tool they’ve built, shifting the dynamic from learner to contributor. "I want to see that happen on a much larger scale," Yates says, reflecting on his past experiences at Alpha, a school where student input directly influenced how tech companies designed features. He recalls how app developers were so inspired by students’ feedback that they flew in to meet them, discussing their ideas and incorporating them into their products.

This level of collaboration between students and big tech companies isn’t just a dream for Yates—it’s a tangible goal. He believes that when companies and schools work together, students can shape the future of AI while learning invaluable skills along the way. "We saw apps change features based on the whim of a nine-year-old," Yates says with pride. This integration of student voice and enterprise solutions is what Yates hopes to see more of as AI becomes further entrenched in education.

AI Applications for Homeschooling

Interestingly, despite his strong advocacy for AI in education, Yates takes a more cautious approach when it comes to his own children’s use of AI. As a homeschooler, Yates has structured his children's learning in a way that aligns with the classical model of education, breaking learning down into the grammar, logic, and rhetoric phases. Each of his four children, ranging in age from 5 to 10, is on an individualized learning pathway. While the world might expect his children to be early adopters of AI, Yates says they are not yet using AI tools in their learning. "They're not ready," he explains.

In his household, AI isn’t introduced until children reach the rhetoric phase, where they can fully articulate their thoughts and ideas, understand the nuances of language, and critically analyze information. For Yates, it’s crucial that his children first master foundational skills before using AI. He believes that unsupervised use of large language models can be risky without this level of development. "I need them to be able to decipher between what's real and what's hallucination before I give them access to these tools," Yates explains. He notes that his children are still in the logic phase, where they are learning to apply knowledge to the world around them, making connections between their interests and the information they’ve gathered.

Yates emphasizes that, while his children are aware of basic AI functionalities—like how Siri or Amazon’s algorithms work—he is waiting for the right time to introduce more advanced tools. "Once they can hold that tension between what's historically accurate and what's valuable, like understanding that Hamilton is both historically inaccurate but still impactful, then I know they're ready." For now, Yates is focused on teaching them critical thinking skills and ensuring they have a solid educational foundation before moving into more complex technologies.

Implementation of AI in Schools

As schools across the United States embark on a new academic year, many educators are grappling with how to introduce AI into their classrooms. Yates offers some straightforward advice to teachers who are interested in dabbling with AI but want to do so thoughtfully and ethically: "The only meaningful technology in school is technology that makes more room for meaningful human moments."

In a world where AI can often feel impersonal or even intimidating, Yates underscores the importance of using AI to enhance, not replace, the human aspects of education. He reflects on the words of his mother, who taught for 39 years and reminded him that every student is somebody’s child. “I grew up with every reason to fail,” Yates shares, noting that his struggles with ADHD and other challenges could have derailed his education. Yet, his teachers’ dedication to his success and the personal connection they fostered helped him thrive.

To Yates, any technology—especially AI—must serve the purpose of creating more space for these meaningful moments of connection. "Education has always been a human endeavor," he reminds us. "This is not Apple or Microsoft. You’re not winning Teacher of the Year because you used AI in some edgy way. That’s just not happening." Instead, he urges educators to focus on how AI can be used to build relationships and enhance creativity.

For teachers who are new to AI, Yates offers a creative suggestion: assign an essay that students must write using ChatGPT, but instead of grading the final product, offer feedback on the prompts themselves. This, he says, opens up space for a unique teacher-student interaction, where educators can guide students in understanding the power of asking the right questions—a vital skill in the age of AI. "That's a human moment you're creating," Yates says, "and that's what matters."

AI as a Tool for Transformation in Education

Looking ahead, Yates is hopeful about the role AI will play in education, but he is also cautious. He emphasizes that AI is not a silver bullet, nor should it be rushed into classrooms without proper thought and preparation. "AI in education should never be about the technology itself," Yates warns. "It should always be about making more room for humanity."

As Yates prepares to release his upcoming book on the intersection of AI, project-based learning, and human-centered education, he continues to challenge both educators and tech leaders to think critically about how AI is introduced into learning environments. By prioritizing meaningful human connections and carefully considering when and how to introduce AI tools, Yates believes we can create an educational future where both technology and humanity flourish side by side.

In the end, Mike Yates’ message is clear: AI has the potential to transform education, but only if it is used thoughtfully, ethically, and with a commitment to nurturing the human connections that define true learning.