Today, we're talking with Dr. Peter Olson-Skog. Peter is the Chief Administrative Officer of School District 197. He was named a Richard Green Scholar for his doctoral research, which described how district offices can support and empower principals. He's also been an assistant superintendent, principal, and director of teaching and learning.

Peter holds a BA in elementary education, an MA in human resource development, and a PhD in educational leadership and policy. Most recently, Peter has been leading his district and exploring how transformative the role of AI and artificial intelligence in education is, from empowering teachers to integrate AI tools responsibly to preparing students to graduate as AI-literate and ready for the future.

He's been co-leading district-wide fishbowl discussions on AI readiness for both students and faculty on how schools can navigate this new frontier. Peter's a thought leader in AI and education and policy, helping shape how K-12 systems can thoughtfully adapt to ensure the next generation is ready to thrive in an AI-driven world.

If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!

• Applied AI
• AppliedAI Meetup
• Emerging Technologies North

Resources and Topics Mentioned in this Episode

• How School Districts Are Crafting AI Policy on the Fly -https://www.edweek.org/technology/how-school-districts-are-crafting-ai-policy-on-the-fly/2025/10
• Rising Use of AI in Schools Comes With Big Downsides for Students -https://www.edweek.org/technology/rising-use-of-ai-in-schools-comes-with-big-downsides-for-students/2025/10
• Teachers and Parents Weigh Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence in Schools - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/teachers-and-parents-weigh-benefits-and-risks-of-artificial-intelligence-in-schools
• Which States Require Schools to Have AI Policies - https://www.edweek.org/technology/which-states-require-schools-to-have-ai-policies/2025/09
• AI in Schools: Pros and Cons – College of Education - https://education.illinois.edu/about/news-events/news/article/2024/10/24/ai-in-schools--pros-and-cons

Today, we're talking with Thomas Feeney, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Master of Arts and Artificial Intelligence Leadership at the University of St. Thomas. Thomas now leads this one-of-a-kind program, which blends technical understanding with the critical thinking, foresight, and communication needed for responsible AI leadership.

With more than a decade in academia and a foundation philosophy, he helps organizations and leaders assess AI strategic implications. Translate complex ideas into practical action. He holds a PhD from Yale University and an MA in philosophy from Notre Dame. Thank you, Thomas, for being on the program today!

If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!

• Applied AI
• AppliedAI Meetup
• Emerging Technologies North

Resources and Topics Mentioned in this Episode

How AI Is Reshaping the Talent Pipeline and Career Development – As AI transforms job roles and skills needs, leaders are rethinking how to build talent pipelines that prepare workers for the evolving world of work and help organizations compete. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/building-a-talent-pipeline-for-the-ai-era

AI’s Critique of Higher Education and Learning Itself – A provocative analysis argues that generative AI is significantly disrupting traditional university learning, academic integrity, and the meaning of earning a degree. https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-destroying-the-university-and-learning-itself

Partnerships Between People and AI in the Future of Work – Research highlights how AI agents, robots, and humans will collaborate in the workforce, reshaping job tasks, skills, and organizational structures. https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/agents-robots-and-us-skill-partnerships-in-the-age-of-ai

Generative AI’s Impact on American Workers and the Future of Jobs – Analysis from a leading think tank explores what generative AI means for labor markets, outlining both risks and opportunities for workers. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/generative-ai-the-american-worker-and-the-future-of-work/

Ethical Challenges and Academic Integrity in AI-Driven Education – An overview of how AI affects learning environments, including concerns about over-reliance, accuracy, and integrity in educational settings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence_in_education

Today we're talking with Ren Bin Lee Dixon. Renin comes to the podcast with a deep experience in public and artificial intelligence policy. She's experienced in the research and analysis of issues at the intersection of technology, socioeconomics, and politics, with an international and diverse professional background in academia, public and private sectors.

She's currently a research fellow at the Center for AI and Digital Policy, where she drafts AI policy statements and comments to local and global regulatory bodies with a focus on human rights, democratic values, and the rules of law. A graduate of the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, her master's thesis entitled AI Governance, A Comparative Analysis of China, the European Union, and the United States was awarded an excellence in global policy in 2022. She also previously has been a marketing and PR specialist with more than 15 years of professional experience in the private sector, including starting an online retail business. Thank you, Ren bin, for being on the podcast today.

If you are interested in learning about how AI is being applied across multiple industries, be sure to join us at a future AppliedAI Monthly meetup and help support us so we can make future Emerging Technologies North non-profit events!

• Applied AI
• AppliedAI Meetup
• Emerging Technologies North

Resources and Topics Mentioned in this Episode

The Challenge of Regulating AI in the US – Lawmakers are struggling to keep up with AI’s rapid evolution, resulting in gaps in oversight and accountability. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48555

How Algorithms Incentivise Engagement – Social-media ranking algorithms optimise for clicks and shares, often amplifying polarising or sensational content. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11894805/

AI as a Foundational Technology – Artificial intelligence is moving beyond niche applications to become a core infrastructure across industries and business models. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-next-innovation-revolution-powered-by-ai

The Information Integrity Challenge – The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation is undermining trust in digital ecosystems and societal decision-making. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/03/facts-not-fakes-tackling-disinformation-strengthening-information-integrity_ff96d19f/d909ff7a-en.pdf

Can AI Help Regulate AI? – Researchers and policymakers are exploring whether AI-based tools can monitor, audit, and govern other AI systems to ensure fairness and safety. https://academic.oup.com/policyandsociety/article/44/1/85/7684910