AI for Everyone

13 Dillan Zaleski: AI in Education and Jobs

In this episode, Brett Hanson sits down with Dylan Zaleski, an insightful voice on the intersection of AI and education. They explore the critical importance of embedding AI literacy into the K-12 curriculum to prepare students for a future workforce shaped by artificial intelligence. Dylan shares his personal "aha" moment with AI, sparking a conversation about the technology's potential to both widen and bridge opportunity gaps. The discussion covers practical applications of tools like NotebookLM for learning, the ethical considerations of AI in schools, and the need for students to develop uniquely human skills to complement AI's capabilities. This episode is a must-listen for educators, parents, and anyone interested in the future of learning and work in the age of AI.

12 The Empire of AI: Becoming an AI Realist

In this episode of 'AI for Everyone,' host Brett Hanson discusses the importance of ethical and practical use of AI across various roles. He begins with a cautionary tale of an individual's detrimental overdependence on AI chatbots, leading to isolation and neglect of real-life relationships. The episode introduces 'Perplexity AI' as a transparent AI tool for critical source interrogation. Brett then delves into Karen Hao's book 'The Empire of AI,' which explores AI's hidden costs and the mechanisms used by AI companies to establish dominance including resource extraction, labor exploitation, knowledge monopolization, and ideological justification. Brett emphasizes developing a critical mindset towards AI, advocating for transparency, informed usage, and continuous learning to navigate an AI-driven world responsibly.

11 Google Education Workspace & Using descript.ai

In this short episode, host Brett Hanson explains his shift from AI "enthusiast" to a more critical, "realist" perspective, exploring the practical integration of AI in education. He discusses the challenges and time commitment required to master new technologies, cautioning against "AI FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out) where the focus on tools overshadows the actual work. Using his personal journey through the ISTE certification process, Brett introduces a custom AI tool he built to streamline his workflow. The episode emphasizes the essential skill of "learning how to learn" in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. Brett also admits his struggles with his new technology, descript.ai, so please be patient. He will get better.

10 AI Safety, Ghost Workers, and Staying in Control

Episode 10 pulls back the curtain on the often-invisible aspects of artificial intelligence. We explore the critical topic of AI safety, not from a science-fiction perspective, but with practical steps every user can take to protect their data and privacy. We then move into a crucial and underreported topic: the "ghost workers" who power the AI systems we use daily. This global workforce is responsible for labeling data and moderating content, often for low pay and in stressful conditions, raising significant ethical questions about the true cost of "autonomous" technology. Finally, we pivot to empowering you, the user. We discuss tangible strategies and tools that help you stay in control, understand how AI makes decisions, and ensure these powerful systems remain helpful assistants rather than opaque black boxes. This episode is about building a more complete, responsible, and human-centered understanding of AI

9 AI Ethics and the Legal Battles, Now and in the Future

This episode tackles the turbulent legal and ethical landscape of artificial intelligence from 2022 to the present. Host Brett Hanson explores the fundamental paradigm shift in the AI conversation, moving from abstract principles to urgent, practical crisis management in the wake of generative AI's public release. The discussion delves into the core of the current legal turmoil: the collision between generative AI and intellectual property law.
Listeners will learn about the U.S. Copyright Office's unyielding stance on "human authorship" , the complex legal gray area of "hybrid" works , and the high-stakes legal battle over the fair use doctrine.

8 Custom GPT's: Your First Personal AI Agent

In this episode, Brett Hanson explores how to unlock the power of personalized AI with Custom GPTs, turning a general AI into your specialized assistant for teaching, business, or everyday tasks. He delves into advanced prompting strategies, including structured instructions, modular prompts, and chain-of-thought, all within the framework of the SWIMER method. The episode also demystifies AI by highlighting the "Beachcomber" level of engagement, showing how AI is already embedded in our daily lives, often without us realizing it. Listeners will gain practical skills to enhance their AI interactions and build confidence in navigating the digital world.

7 The Monthly Report June 2025 The Economy

In this episode, host Brett Hanson explores the practical impact of Artificial Intelligence on our daily lives and the broader economy in mid-2025. The discussion begins with a real-world story of a student who knows what she wants, but not what she needs. The episode features Google's Gemini as the "Tool of the Week," detailing its capabilities within Google Workspace for content creation, personalized learning, and research. A key segment is dedicated to the essential skill of developing AI "taste". The main focus is a deep dive into AI's economic effects, supported by recent statistics on AI adoption in manufacturing and healthcare , and projections on job growth in fields like software development and cybersecurity. The episode argues that while AI presents challenges like job displacement and potential wealth disparity , it also creates significant opportunities, making lifelong learning and a blend of technical and human skills essential for navigating the changing landscape.

6 A New Way to Learn: Google AI in the Education Workspace

This episode explores how Google’s AI tools—like Gemini, NotebookLM, and Workspace integrations—are transforming classrooms by enabling deeply personalized learning, individualized support, and growing student autonomy. Brett shares real examples from teachers, including himself, using Gemini to scaffold writing, streamline planning, and build differentiated lessons. You’ll learn how students can now drive their own learning journeys with on-demand support, customized study paths, and AI-powered feedback.
Plus: the latest AI features, safety protocols, and what you can try this week to make personalization real in your classroom. Resources and links available at hansoneducationservices.com, under the AI for Everyone podcast page.

5 The Big Three, Options, and the Rising Waters of AI

In this episode, we take a step back and ask: where are we really in our relationship with AI?
First, we break down the three leading AI platforms—ChatGPT-4o, Gemini 2.5, and Microsoft Copilot—and explain how each is evolving into an AI operating system: a full workspace where your writing, planning, communication, and analysis can happen seamlessly and intelligently. Then, we introduce a practical metaphor for AI adoption: AI is like water— it is rising, flowing, and pervasiv; the four levels of AI engagement (Level 1 Beachcomber, Level 2 Swimmer, Level 3 Snorkeler, and Level 4 Diver), each explained with real-life examples from classrooms, businesses, and leading thinkers in the AI space. Whether you're just dipping your toes in or already navigating deep waters, this episode will help you better understand:
Which AI platform fits your workflow,
How to move from casual use to confident integration,
And why understanding your "level" matters for both productivity and ethics.

4 Copilot: Business in Action & Co-Creation

In this episode, we explore how Microsoft Copilot is transforming business workflows, from cybersecurity in Peru to small-business advising in Jersey to global auditing at EY. You’ll learn how Copilot integrates seamlessly into Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint, and why its GPT-4-powered Pro version is outperforming competitors like Google Gemini. We introduce the SWIMER framework for prompting effectively and explain how enterprise-grade features, advanced AI precision, and broad accessibility make Copilot the leading AI productivity tool today. Visit the AI for Everyone page at hansoneducationservices.com for full citations and show notes.