Technology Doesn’t Change Education — Teachers Do.
This week, I sat down with Dr. Betty Chandy, Director of AI & Technology Enhanced Learning Initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education — and this conversation is a masterclass in what real AI integration should look like.
Betty’s journey is incredible.
She grew up in classrooms without even chalkboards… and now leads AI literacy and professional development initiatives at one of the top schools of education in the world. The through-line in her story is powerful:
She grew up in classrooms without even chalkboards… and now leads AI literacy and professional development initiatives at one of the top schools of education in the world. The through-line in her story is powerful:
“The key to change is the teacher.”
In this episode, Betty breaks down the core tension in education right now:
- Teachers are being asked to teach in a world that looks nothing like the one they were trained for.
- Professional development is still treated as “one-and-done,” even though classrooms evolve daily.
- AI is accelerating change, but teachers often feel unprepared, undervalued, or afraid of being replaced.
And yet — she brings a refreshing, grounded optimism.
We talk about how to build ongoing professional learning communities, how to teach AI literacy through real-world examples students actually care about, and why IT departments and educators must collaborate instead of working in silos.
