About This Episode

Season 6. Episode 1.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s already in our classrooms, shaping how students learn and how teachers teach. But with every new technology comes new questions. In this episode of Education Insight, Dr. Jeff Oldfield, Executive Director of Innovation and Competitive Advantage at the Riverside County Office of Education, shares his perspective on the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to K–12 education.

Drawing on his experience as a former Education Leadership Executive at Apple, Dr. Oldfield discusses how AI tools can help address everyday classroom challenges, lighten the load for overworked teachers, and even close critical learning gaps. At the same time, he dives into pressing concerns around student privacy, data use, environmental impact, and the ethical role of tech companies in education.

This wide-ranging conversation explores how teachers are responding to AI, whether schools truly understand the technology, and what it will take to ensure AI doesn’t make education more impersonal but instead creates smarter, safer, and more equitable learning environments. For parents, educators, and community members alike, this episode offers candid insights and thought-provoking questions about how AI is reshaping the future of education—and what we should be striving for as it continues to evolve.

Featured Guest

Dr. Jeff Oldfield
Executive Director of Innovation and Competitive Advantage, Riverside County Office of Education
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Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.