In the latest episode of the TechToTransform podcast, we spoke to Dan Fitzpatrick, the AI Educator, author of the best-selling book, The AI Classroom, The Ultimate Guide to Artificial Intelligence in Education. Here’s a quick recap of our conversation with a look at what the future holds for AI in our schools, and how disruptive edtech leaders can empower educators and learners to embrace AI’s potential. 

Q: Dan, could you give us an overview of your background and what led you to become the AI educator?

A: I trained as a high school teacher, but before teaching, I dabbled in stand-up comedy around Manchester, Liverpool, and other parts of the Northeast. I’ve always been a bit of a ‘tech nerd,’ which naturally grew during my teacher training. 

I recall someone mentioning Google Drive and cloud technology at the time, and I was amazed at its potential—students accessing learning materials anytime, anywhere? It just made sense. Alongside a few colleagues, we became advocates for tech in schools, hosting breakfast meetings to raise awareness about how technology could support teachers and students. 

My first real exposure to large language models (LLMs), like ChatGPT, came while collaborating with local industries. This inspired me to explore AI’s potential in education and write The AI Classroom, my first book, about two years ago. Now, I work globally with schools, colleges, universities, and businesses on AI strategies and staff upskilling.  

Q: What’s more nerve-wracking: performing stand-up comedy or teaching a classroom full of kids?

A: That’s a great question! Stand-up comedy is probably scarier. In comedy, you need to hit a punchline every few seconds, or you lose the audience’s interest – it’s high pressure. Teaching doesn’t carry that same constant demand for immediate engagement. 

Interestingly, my stand-up experience has been invaluable. I regularly give keynotes at conferences, and the ability to ad-lib or do a bit of audience work makes the presentations more interactive and fun. 

Q: Over your career, you’ve seen significant changes in technology and education. What key milestones or game-changing innovations stand out to you?

A: Cloud technology was a big one, it revolutionised access to learning materials. Tools like Google Drive and Google Classroom or Microsoft Teams for Education built cloud-based platforms that significantly enhanced collaboration and accessibility. 

However, edtech often promises transformative change but doesn’t fully deliver. This isn’t the fault of edtech companies but rather the education system itself, which struggles to innovate in a nonlinear way. Businesses face competition and technological advancements that push them to adapt creatively, but education hasn’t had that same pressure. 

For instance, interactive whiteboards were supposed to revolutionise classrooms, but most teachers used them like regular whiteboards. Similarly, during COVID, schools simply transferred traditional classrooms into video calls on platforms like Google Meet or Zoom, which wasn’t true innovation. 

Q: Why do you think the education sector struggles with innovation, and how can AI help?

A: The current education system is designed for incremental, linear improvements. Schools often adopt technology to support existing practices rather than rethinking their approach entirely. For instance, instead of reimagining the structure of a school day with cloud-based tools, we simply added tech to the traditional 9-to-4 setup. 

AI presents an exciting opportunity to break free from this pattern. While it’s not a magical solution, AI can act as a “Trojan horse” for broader transformation. It forces us to rethink how we prepare students for success in an AI-driven world. My new book, Infinite Education, delves into this idea, offering strategies for change in this new era. 

Q: What do you think the future holds for education in an AI world?

A: I believe we’re at a critical junction. Schools that embrace AI and rethink their foundational principles will lead the way. This means questioning long-held practices, does school have to be 9-4? Does everyone need to be in the same place at the same time? 

Unfortunately, many schools may resist change. It’ll likely take maverick schools or independent institutions to pave the way. Ultimately, though, this will create more choices for parents and students, which is a positive outcome. 

AI isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s a catalyst for necessary transformation. It pushes us to consider what’s possible and how education can evolve to truly meet the needs of the future. 

Listen to the full podcast here and if you are interested in finding out more about how we can support your edtech PR and comms strategy then please contact us at media@mantispr.co.uk