In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, we tackle the urgent issue of early literacy and how generative artificial intelligence could be the key to transforming young readers' experiences. Only 33% of U.S. fourth-graders were proficient in reading in 2022, and this crisis continues to grow. But what if AI could help change the story?

Join host Brian Graham as he sits down with the team behind the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI (CELaRAI) at the University at Buffalo to explore how innovative tools like the AI Reading Enhancer (AIRE) can support young learners in developing essential literacy skills.

Our special guests include:

• Dr. X. Christine Wang, Professor of Early Education & Learning Sciences at UB, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Principal Investigator for CELaRAI. Dr. Wang shares her vision for how AI can augment teacher capacity and address the literacy crisis.
• Dr. Kristen Smigielski, Project Manager for CELaRAI, who specializes in inclusive education and social justice. Dr. Smigielski discusses how AIRE can empower teachers and ensure equitable classrooms for all students.
• Dr. Zhaohui Li, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education & CELaRAI. Dr. Li dives into the technical side of AIRE, explaining how it uses AI to generate personalized texts and provide real-time reading support.
• Zhuoyun (Joy) Cai, Ph.D. student at UB and AI policy expert for CELaRAI. Joy explores the ethical considerations of using AI in early education and how policy frameworks are shaping its responsible deployment in classrooms.

Together, they highlight the exciting possibilities of using AI to improve phonics, word recognition, fluency, and comprehension, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. We’ll also discuss the importance of responsible AI practices and how CELaRAI is leading the way in developing ethical guidelines for AI in education.

If you’re looking to learn more about how AI can help bridge the gap in early literacy and support teachers in their mission, this episode is a must-listen!

https://earlyliteracyai.org/

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