AI Literacy First: Jeff Riley On How Schools Can Lead AI Education
Tue Jan 27 2026
AI is moving quickly into schools, and reactions range from cautious to enthusiastic.
What does it mean to teach AI before it teaches us?
In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Lisa March, president and founder of Partner in Publishing, sits down with Jeff Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI, to explore how schools can approach artificial intelligence with intention and responsibility.
Jeff shares the mission behind Day of AI, a research-led, movement-minded organization focused on empowering students to become informed creators and thoughtful leaders in an AI-shaped world. Together, Lisa and Jeff discuss what districts are asking for as AI enters classrooms, why trusted guidance matters, and how open communication between educators, administrators, parents, students, and vendors is essential to getting it right.
The conversation covers developing AI policy, addressing privacy and safety concerns, and teaching students to be healthy skeptics who understand both the power and limitations of prediction-based systems.
This episode is essential listening for educators, district leaders, and EdTech partners who want to lead AI education responsibly and keep students at the center of the conversation.
Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/
Bookmarks:
0:40: Meet Jeff Riley and Day of AI
4:20: Digital Natives & Digital Immigrants
5:40: AI for a Better World
7:30: Learning About AI From a Trusted Source
11:00: Privacy & Safety with AI
12:40: Raising Healthy Skeptics of AI
16:30: Parents Can't Be Out of the Loop
27:30: AI Literacy
29:30: Teaching Critical Thinking First
31:20: Research-Led, Movement-Minded
33:00: Personalizing Instruction with AI
36:50: For Parents and Schools: How to Get Involved with Day of AI
Resources:
Jeff Riley
Day of AI
Day of AI: Curriculum & Resources
Day of AI: Family Resources
Day of AI: For School Leaders
Lisa March
Partner in Publishing
Blog: How to Adopt AI Without Falling Behind
More
AI is moving quickly into schools, and reactions range from cautious to enthusiastic. What does it mean to teach AI before it teaches us? In this episode of EdTech Elevated, host Lisa March, president and founder of Partner in Publishing, sits down with Jeff Riley, Executive Director of Day of AI, to explore how schools can approach artificial intelligence with intention and responsibility. Jeff shares the mission behind Day of AI, a research-led, movement-minded organization focused on empowering students to become informed creators and thoughtful leaders in an AI-shaped world. Together, Lisa and Jeff discuss what districts are asking for as AI enters classrooms, why trusted guidance matters, and how open communication between educators, administrators, parents, students, and vendors is essential to getting it right. The conversation covers developing AI policy, addressing privacy and safety concerns, and teaching students to be healthy skeptics who understand both the power and limitations of prediction-based systems. This episode is essential listening for educators, district leaders, and EdTech partners who want to lead AI education responsibly and keep students at the center of the conversation. Sponsored by Partner in Publishing: https://partnerinpublishing.com/ Bookmarks: 0:40: Meet Jeff Riley and Day of AI 4:20: Digital Natives & Digital Immigrants 5:40: AI for a Better World 7:30: Learning About AI From a Trusted Source 11:00: Privacy & Safety with AI 12:40: Raising Healthy Skeptics of AI 16:30: Parents Can't Be Out of the Loop 27:30: AI Literacy 29:30: Teaching Critical Thinking First 31:20: Research-Led, Movement-Minded 33:00: Personalizing Instruction with AI 36:50: For Parents and Schools: How to Get Involved with Day of AI Resources: Jeff Riley Day of AI Day of AI: Curriculum & Resources Day of AI: Family Resources Day of AI: For School Leaders Lisa March Partner in Publishing Blog: How to Adopt AI Without Falling Behind