In today's episode, IFTF's Executive Director Marina Gorbis talks with Jon Shelton, Associate Professor and Chair of Democracy and Justice Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and Vice President for Higher Education of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin. They discuss Jon’s new book, “The Education Myth,” which challenges the idea that education is a solution to all economic and social inequalities in society. Instead, Jon argues that we need to focus on other policy levers and reforms in addition to education. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation.

Quote: “The ‘education myth’ is the idea that education and, more specifically, investment in human capital can magically overcome all of the other economic and social inequalities that exist in our society.”

Mentioned in this episode:

The Education Myth, Jon Shelton (https://bit.ly/3LrBJAP)

The Fantasy Economy, Neil Kraus (https://bit.ly/3Nixitk)

The Education of Blacks in the South 1860-1935, James D. Anderson (https://bit.ly/3ouAGaf)

Teacher Strike! Public Education and the Making of a New American Political Order, Jon Shelton (https://bit.ly/3V6cCHe)

Thinking Like an Economist, Elizabeth Popp Berman (https://bit.ly/3LbY3xg)

Knocking on Labor's Door, Lane Windham (https://bit.ly/3V0uwel)

Don't Blame Us, Lily Geismer (https://bit.ly/41BmQBM)

The Race between Education and Technology, Claudia Goldin & Lawrence F. Katz (https://bit.ly/3LpnVaa)

The Meritocracy Trap, Daniel Markovits (https://bit.ly/3L8pkQW) 

The Tyranny of Merit, Michael Sandel (https://bit.ly/3N5JgGR)

Future Now 004 — The Education Myth with Jon Shelton

IFTF Emerging Media Lab director Toshi Hoo speaks with Jules Terpak, a Gen Z content creator known for her work unpacking technology and culture trends on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. The conversation centers around the implications of recent breakthroughs in generative AI, particularly in how these advances may shape the future of work and creativity. 

Key Points:

- Jules has been active on social media for over a decade, starting with YouTube at age 10. She's seen how platforms rise and fall, and how algorithms shape content.

- Generative AI like DALL-E is opening new creative possibilities, but still has limitations around generating longer form video.

- Social media algorithms already curate our feeds, and now generative AI will start generating personalized content at scale.

- The NPC trend (https://theconversation.com/people-are-pretending-to-be-npcs-on-tiktok-and-its-not-just-weird-its-also-lucrative-210795) on TikTok shows people mimicking repetitive AI-like behavior for views and money. An interesting signal as AI advances.

- Loneliness as a market opportunity - rise of virtual companion bots like Replika and emotional labor replacements.

- Gen Z is questioning traditional work as they've grown up exposed to influencer careers. But sustainability is a challenge. Need to find your niche fans.

- As AI advances, optimizing human-AI collaboration will be key. 

- Jules is cautiously optimistic about human-AI futures with proper governance and conscious use. Focus on human needs like security.

Resources:

Jules' YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JulesTerpak
Jules' Twitter: https://twitter.com/julesterpak/
Growing Digital TikTok series: https://www.tiktok.com/@julesterpak
Replika virtual companion bot: https://replika.com

09/15.2023

Future Now 011  — Jules Terpak how AI will shape work and creativity

Brought to you by the visionary minds at Institute for the Future, this captivating series delves deep into the ever-evolving landscapes of science, technology, and culture. In each episode, IFTF's distinguished researchers engage in riveting conversations with the world's most innovative scientists, engineers, trailblazers, and thought leaders, who are redefining the course of our collective future - here and now. 

In this season, "Future Now" shines a spotlight on the bold endeavors to revolutionize enterprise and business practices. Our gripping discussions explore the pursuit of more humane, inclusive, and equitable outcomes, providing you with an exclusive front-row seat to the breakthroughs that will define tomorrow.

Future Now 011 — Jules Terpak how AI will shape work and creativity

Future Now - Institute for the Future

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