"I Am Because We Are" – AI through the Lens of Ubuntu
Real Life Intro: Who Forgot to Hit Send?
You ever have one of those weeks where life just… topples over?
Yeah—me too. I meant to send this newsletter last week. But between juggling projects, events, and, apparently, spilling mulch and tools all over the yard, I forgot to hit send.
Here’s what my attempt at planting flowers looked like
Even in the mess, there’s beauty—and lessons. So, here’s your slightly delayed, fully packed AI newsletter. I hope it brings inspiration, insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the chaos.
Ubuntu: The Heartbeat of This Issue
Ubuntu is an African philosophy that reminds us:
“I am because we are.”
It’s a belief in mutual connection—that our lives, progress, and growth are tied together.
In this issue, I want to explore how that philosophy intersects with AI.
Let’s build not just smarter tech—but more compassionate and connected ways to use it.
Shared Futures: Preparing Education for AI
Stefan Bauschard’s April 21st newsletter captures the moment we’re in:
“The hardest part is getting educators to believe AI will soon radically change the world… They don't believe me.”
— Dr. Tim Dasey, MIT Lincoln Lab (Ret.)
He outlines two ways schools respond to AI:
As an instructional tool to fit into existing curriculum.
As a force that will reshape everything—and therefore demands preparation at every level.
Explore Stefan’s living document of university-wide AI programs:
Curated University AI Curriculum Programs
Watch our conversation from a higher ed AI workshop he joined me in several months ago that is worth thinking about:
Session 2: Preparing for AI Futures
Mutual Responsibility: When ChatGPT Gets Too Agreeable
Lately, users have reported that ChatGPT is too agreeable—even validating unsafe decisions like quitting medication.
See the post
Sam Altman's Response: “We’re aware. Working on it.”
Why It Matters:
AI shouldn’t prioritize politeness over safety.
Students (and educators) must learn to question even the calmest-sounding AI.
Trust isn’t blind—it’s built with oversight.
Collective Intelligence: Fact-Checking Together
Here’s a ready-to-use classroom or PD prompt that builds digital literacy and critical thinking.
Copy-and-Paste Prompt:
“Fact-check this article thoroughly.
Identify each factual claim.
Use 3+ independent, high-quality sources to confirm each one.
Return a table with:
Claim | Status (True/False/Unclear) | Summary | Sources (linked)”
Why this works or worth exploring
Builds media literacy
Models transparency
Great for ELA, social studies, and advisory time
Ubuntu in the Classroom: Turn Papers Into Games
A few weeks ago, Ethan Mollick dropped a creative challenge:
Paste an academic paper into Gemini 2.5 with Canvas on. Ask it to make a game.
I tested it using a paper on prompt engineering—and got the fun result:
Prompt Professor Pop Quiz
Want to try it?
Prompt for Gemini:
“Here’s an academic paper [paste text]. Make an interactive quiz game that tests understanding of the key ideas. Make it clean, engaging, and usable with students.”
Submit yours—I’ll feature some in the next newsletter!
Evolving Tools: Napkin Just Made Visuals Way Easier
Napkin has always been a go-to for quick concept visuals. Now, it’s even better:
What’s New:
Upload DOC, PPT, PDF, or HTML → auto-extracts content
Export straight to PowerPoint, Canva, Keynote, etc.
Full edit control in your favorite tools
Why it matters:
Saves time
Removes barriers
Supports visual storytelling in classrooms and PD
Progress for the Collective: GPT-4o's Upgrades
According to OpenAI’s latest release notes, GPT-4o has two major upgrades:
Improved STEM Reasoning: Better with logic, problem-solving, and code
Smarter Memory: Better at storing useful context, without over-remembering
Implications:
Stronger support for STEM instruction
More accurate tutoring and personalized learning workflows
More transparent and respectful use of long-term memory
The Bigger Picture: Microsoft’s Memory Tool—Friend or Foe?
Microsoft just launched Windows Recall—a feature that saves screenshots of everything you do.
Key Features:
Search past activity like Google
Local storage only (but still risky)
Why it’s controversial:
Constant screenshotting = massive privacy risks
What happens if a school-issued device includes Recall?
Ubuntu question:
What kind of collective guardrails do we need when memory becomes a system default?
Privacy Tip of the Month:
Audit Your Digital Footprint Before It Audits You
3 Quick Wins:
Check device/app settings for background logging
Encrypt local storage + use strong logins
Build student awareness around privacy norms
“If a tool can record it, someone can access it. Awareness is your first defense.”
Mini-Challenge: Ubuntu in Action
This month, try one of the following and share it with me:
Paste a paper into Gemini and turn it into a game
Run the Article Fact Checker prompt with your students
Create a visual in Napkin based on a PD or lesson plan
Reply to this newsletter or tag me @coffeechug on social with your creation—I'll feature a few in the next issue!
Final Reflection:
Ubuntu teaches us we’re all connected.
So let’s build tech—and classrooms—that reflect that truth.
Not just smart systems, but just ones.
Not just fast progress, but shared progress.
Until next time,
A-A-Ron