The Impact of AI on Student Motivation

How can AI be adopted in a way that turns more students into “explorers” rather than “passengers” in their learning? This week we bring you a conversation with the co-author of a book on student disengagement in school, Rebecca Winthrop, who is also researching the impact of AI on education. The episode is by one of Future U’s producers, Jeff Young, from his new podcast, Learning Curve. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 4:19 - When the ‘Student Disengagement Crisis’ Started 7:25 - A Framework for Describing Levels of Student Engagement 15:18 - How AI Is Impacting Student Motivation 19:00 - Why ChatGPT’s ‘Study Mode’ Is Not the Answer 25:05 - Advice for Companies Making AI Tools for Education 29:32 - Tips for Students 34:42 - A High School Student’s Take on AI 48:30 - Advice For Teachers on Dealing with AI 51:35 - What Is the Purpose of School in the Age of Generative AI? Publications Mentioned: “ The Disengaged Teen ,” by Rebecca Winthrop and Jenny Anderson “Minnesota high school student weighs the benefits and pitfalls of AI,” Minnesota Now “I’m a High Schooler. AI Is Demolishing My Education,” The Atlantic Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education website ‘We Have to Really Rethink the Purpose of Education,’ The Ezra Klein Show “Attention Please: Professors Struggle With Student Disengagement,” EdSurge “Playing the Grade Game,” Bootstraps podcast series Connect with Michael Horn: Sign Up for the The Future of Education Newsletter Website LinkedIn X (Twitter) Threads Connect with Jeff Selingo: Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You Sign Up for the Next Newsletter Website X (Twitter) Threads LinkedIn Connect with Future U: Twitter YouTube Threads Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Submit a question and if we answer it on air we'll send you Future U. swag! Sign up for Future U. emails to get special updates and behind-the-scenes content.

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The Impact of AI on Student Motivation is an episode from Future U Podcast by Jeff Selingo and Michael Horn.

This episode is 00:57:59 long.

This episode was published on Oct 21, 2025.

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