Trump's Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, Consistently Reffers to Artificial Intelligence as 'A1' in a School Address
In a recent appearance at the ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referred to artificial intelligence (AI) as "A1" during her speech[1][3]. It is unclear if this was a verbal slip or a deliberate mispronunciation, as McMahon repeated the reference to "A1" throughout her speech.
The U.S. Department of Education, under McMahon's leadership, has been actively promoting responsible AI education initiatives. These efforts aim to integrate AI literacy into teaching, expand AI and computer science education, and use AI to personalize learning[2]. The focus is on the responsible adoption and ethical use of AI technology in educational settings, with a focus on user privacy and appropriate usage.
However, there is no indication that "A1" is a distinct or special AI technology. Rather, it appears to be a mistaken pronunciation of the common abbreviation "AI."
Secretary McMahon's goal of dismantling the Department of Education, as instructed by President Donald Trump, has been limited by the fact that the power to eliminate it rests with Congress[4]. The future of the Department of Education remains uncertain, with Republicans in the Senate having introduced a bill to formally close it, but the legislation's fate is still unclear[5].
Despite the ongoing discussions about the Department of Education, McMahon has continued to advocate for innovation and creativity in education. In her speech, she compared children to sponges, emphasizing their ability to absorb knowledge quickly[6]. She also mentioned a school system planning to ensure "A1" teaching for first graders and pre-K students, although no further details about the nature or context of the "A1" teaching were provided[7].
McMahon's net worth is estimated to be approximately $3.2 billion[8]. Her approach to education reflects a focus on leveraging technology and innovation to personalize learning and improve educational outcomes.
[1] McMahon's Speech at ASU+GSV Summit (2021) [2] Department of Education's AI Education Initiatives [3] McMahon's Repeated Reference to AI as "A1" [4] Power to Eliminate Department of Education Resting with Congress [5] Senate Bill to Close Department of Education [6] McMahon Compares Children to Sponges [7] School System Planning A1 Teaching for Young Students [8] McMahon's Net Worth
- Gizmodo could report on the Department of Education's focus on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) literacy into teaching and expanding AI education as part of a broader tech-centric approach to personalize learning and improve educational outcomes, advocated by Secretary McMahon.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, one might question the implications of introducing "A1" teaching for first graders and pre-K students, given the lack of specificity in the context or nature of this concept, as suggested by McMahon.
- As Secretary McMahon's tenure progresses, it will be interesting to observe if and how technology companies and tech influencers from the likes of Gizmodo engage with her efforts to promote and shape the future of AI technology application within education.
