In a public address at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Linda McMahon, the Secretary of Education, made headlines when she repeatedly miscalled AI as “A1,” sparking reactions on social media. Her speech aimed to promote the advantages of AI in early learning education; however, her confusion over the term created a diversion from her intended message.

“Making sure that first graders or even pre-K have A one teaching in each year,” says McMahon, revealing her mix-up in this crucial discussion of technological advancement in education.
Translation: Making sure that first graders or even pre-K have AI teaching in each year.

Despite her verbal slip, the discussion highlighted the potential role of AI in customizing learning experiences for students and addressing teacher shortages by offering tailored educational tools. Still, concerns remain about the biases of current AI systems and the reliability of using such technology in classrooms.