Grant Smith Of Code Ninjas On The Future Of Artificial Intelligence

An Interview With David Leichner

Establish ethical guidelines: Develop and implement ethical guidelines for AI research and applications, ensuring that AI systems are designed with transparency, fairness, and accountability in mind. This will help prevent unintended consequences and mitigate potential risks.

As a part of our series about the future of Artificial Intelligence, I had the pleasure of interviewing Grant Smith.

Grant Smith is the first Vice President of Education at Code Ninjas, the world’s fastest growing kids coding franchise. An industry veteran, Smith comes to Code Ninjas with extensive experience in the education system, having spent the majority of his career teaching elementary and middle-school computer science and serving as a district administrator. Smith also helped write curriculum for some of the leading content providers including code.org, Girl Scouts of America, codeSpark and many more. Smith is using his experience to expand and enhance the learning opportunities at Code Ninjas centers across the country.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue this career path in AI?

When I switched careers to become a teacher, leaving Silicon Valley behind, I assumed my days immersed in technology were over. However, fate had a different plan, as the emerging fields of EdTech and computer science education captured began gaining momentum. I became increasingly passionate about the value of personalized learning and the significance of adapting teaching approaches to each student’s needs.

Since my early days as an educator, I envisioned a technology-enhanced learning environment. Collaborating with EdTech companies, I found it disconcerting that educators’ expertise was often overlooked, resulting in tools that echoed outdated educational approaches, contrary to Silicon Valley’s innovative spirit.

My journey led me to Code Ninjas, where I discovered the opportunity to turn my vision into reality. Encircled by a team of devoted educators, we have spearheaded the development of a trailblazing learning platform. By prioritizing the input of educators, we have succeeded in integrating unique features that are reshaping the educational landscape.

What lessons can others learn from your story?

From my story, I’ve learned several valuable lessons that others might find helpful:

Embrace change and be open to new opportunities: My transition from Silicon Valley to teaching showed me the importance of being open to change and embracing new paths in life. You never know where a new direction might lead or how it could align with your passions and strengths.

Pursue your passions: My dedication to personalized learning and utilizing technology in education taught me the significance of following my passions. Pursuing what genuinely interests me has led to groundbreaking achievements and personal fulfillment.

Collaborate and involve diverse perspectives: My experience with EdTech companies emphasized the need to incorporate input from various stakeholders, like educators, in developing tools and solutions. By including diverse perspectives, I’ve seen innovations become more effective and transformative.

Be persistent in the face of challenges: My determination to create an innovative learning platform, despite initial disappointments, demonstrated the importance of perseverance. By persisting through challenges, I’ve been able to make a meaningful impact on my chosen field.

Champion the value of your expertise: My advocacy for the inclusion of educators in the development of learning tools highlighted the need to recognize and champion my own expertise. By valuing my knowledge and experience, I’ve contributed to creating better solutions and positively influenced the direction of the industry.

Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?

At Code Ninjas, we’re on the cusp of unveiling IMPACT, a groundbreaking learning platform designed to revolutionize how kids learn to code. In my professional (and admittedly biased) view, IMPACT will set a new global standard in coding education for children. This platform harnesses the power of our in-person educational expertise while offering personalized learning at an unprecedented scale.

With IMPACT, students at Code Ninjas learn at their own pace, advancing to the next subject only after demonstrating mastery of key concepts. Our innovative code validation tool evaluates their work, adjusting content to suit individual needs. We take immense pride in this tool, as it doesn’t rely on exact matches. Instead, it assesses whether the child is applying the learned code correctly, allowing each of the submissions from children to be unique. This approach empowers every child to express their creativity while traversing a tailored coding learning path.

Currently, IMPACT offers over 10,000 distinct learning paths for students. As we look toward the future, we envision harnessing the potential of AI to create infinite pathways, with activities specifically generated to cater to each child’s needs. AI could also provide a more nuanced understanding of every student’s knowledge, further refining our platform’s capabilities.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Flora Perez, my former boss when I was a district administrator at a small K-8 school district in Arizona, had a profound impact on my career. Whenever she faced a challenging question or an unexpected situation in a meeting, her response was invariably, “Oh, do whatever is best for the children.” Though she often said it with a hint of humor, you could sense her deep conviction in that principle.

Throughout my educational career, I’ve kept this idea at the forefront of my mind. When encountering tough decisions or situations, I strive to do “whatever is best for the children.” As a teacher, this motto may seem self-evident, but as I transitioned into EdTech, it became more challenging. The pressures of KPIs and external factors can be tempting to prioritize differently. However, I’ve learned that in the long run, it’s always best to stay true to what is best for the children.

What are the 5 things that most excite you about the AI industry? Why?

Hyper-personalized learning: The capacity for AI to deliver truly individualized learning experiences is a game-changer in education. By analyzing each student’s unique learning style, strengths, and weaknesses, AI can dynamically adjust content and instruction to cater to their specific needs. This level of personalization fosters deeper understanding and engagement, ultimately leading to more effective learning outcomes.

Accurate assessment of student knowledge: AI’s ability to evaluate student knowledge with precision is incredibly promising. Traditional assessment methods often fail to capture the nuances of a student’s understanding. AI-driven assessments, on the other hand, can identify patterns and analyze responses in a more sophisticated manner, leading to more accurate and actionable insights about a student’s progress and areas for improvement.

Assistive tools for teachers: One of the most exciting prospects of AI in education is its potential to alleviate some of the burden on educators. AI-powered tools can automate tasks such as grading, attendance tracking, and even behavior monitoring, freeing up valuable time for teachers to focus on creating engaging lessons, providing personalized support, and fostering meaningful relationships with their students.

Adaptive curriculum development: AI can dynamically modify curricula based on real-time student performance and engagement data. By continuously analyzing and adjusting learning materials, AI can ensure that content remains relevant, engaging, and suited to each student’s needs. This adaptability not only enriches the learning experience but also empowers educators to make data-driven decisions when designing and implementing their lesson plans.

Enhanced accessibility and inclusivity: AI has the potential to revolutionize the way students with special needs and diverse learning styles are supported. By leveraging technologies such as natural language processing, speech recognition, and computer vision, AI can create more accessible learning environments, making education truly inclusive for all students. These advancements will enable a broader range of learners to access the resources and support they need to succeed, fostering a more equitable educational landscape.

What are the 5 things that concern you about the AI industry? Why?

Manipulation without understanding consequences: As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, there is a risk that people may not fully comprehend how AI systems can be influenced or manipulated. This lack of understanding may lead to unintended consequences and potential misuse of AI technology, which could negatively impact individuals and society as a whole.

Social media’s impact on society: Social media platforms have already shown the potential to erode the fabric of our society by promoting divisive content and misinformation. The integration of AI into these platforms could exacerbate this issue by making interactions less human and further amplifying echo chambers. As AI becomes more advanced, it is crucial that we remain vigilant in addressing these concerns to ensure that technology is used to promote understanding and unity, rather than driving us apart.

AI transparency and explainability: As AI systems become more complex, it can be difficult for users and developers to understand how decisions are made within these algorithms. This lack of transparency and explainability can make it challenging to identify and address potential issues in AI applications, such as biases or ethical concerns. Ensuring that AI systems are transparent and understandable is crucial to building trust and ensuring responsible use of technology.

Privacy and surveillance: With the rapid advancement of AI technology, concerns about privacy and surveillance are becoming increasingly prominent. AI-powered systems can analyze vast amounts of personal data, potentially leading to intrusive monitoring and loss of privacy. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging the benefits of AI and preserving individual privacy rights.

Job displacement and economic inequality: As AI automates various tasks and industries, there is a growing concern that it may displace human workers, leading to widespread job loss and increased economic inequality. To address this issue, it is essential to invest in reskilling and upskilling initiatives, helping workers adapt to the changing job market and ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society.

As you know, there is an ongoing debate between prominent scientists, (personified as a debate between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg,) about whether advanced AI has the future potential to pose a danger to humanity. What is your position about this?

I believe it’s a valid concern to question the potential dangers of advanced AI. History is replete with examples of innovations that, while groundbreaking, have also had destructive consequences for humanity, ranging from the development of atomic bombs to the impact of social media on mental health and societal cohesion. As we continue to develop AI technology, we remain within the danger zone where AI could potentially pose a threat to us.

To address these concerns, it is crucial that we prioritize AI ethics in the development and implementation of AI systems. By establishing a strong ethical foundation, we can work to safeguard against potential dangers and ensure that AI technology is used responsibly and for the betterment of humanity. By fostering a collaborative approach between researchers, developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders, we can create a robust framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and fairness in AI applications, ultimately mitigating the risks associated with this powerful technology.

Moreover, it is essential to educate children about AI and its implications, as they are the ones who will inherit and shape the digital world. By instilling a comprehensive understanding of AI and its potential impact, we can equip the next generation with the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to navigate the complexities of the AI landscape. This proactive approach will empower them to make informed decisions and harness AI’s potential in a manner that is safe, responsible, and beneficial for all.

What can be done to prevent such concerns from materializing? And what can be done to assure the public that there is nothing to be concerned about?

Embrace the “program or be programmed” philosophy: As Douglas Rushkoff astutely put it, we need to raise our children to understand how the digital world around them works. By providing them with a solid foundation in computer science, coding, and AI principles, we can empower them to be informed users and creators of technology, enabling them to shape a world where AI is used ethically and responsibly.

Additional measures:

• Establish ethical guidelines: Develop and implement ethical guidelines for AI research and applications, ensuring that AI systems are designed with transparency, fairness, and accountability in mind. This will help prevent unintended consequences and mitigate potential risks.
• Create regulatory frameworks: Governments and international organizations should collaborate to establish legal and regulatory frameworks for AI development and deployment, addressing concerns such as privacy, security, and liability. These frameworks will help manage potential risks and ensure the responsible use of AI technology.
• Encourage collaboration: Foster collaboration among AI researchers, developers, policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, discuss ethical implications, and work together to address potential concerns.
• Invest in AI education and public awareness: Promote AI education at all levels, from primary education to professional training. Increase public awareness of AI and its potential impact, both positive and negative, through accessible information and open discussions. This will help dispel misconceptions and encourage informed decision-making about AI technologies.

By taking these steps, we can work towards preventing potential concerns from materializing and assuring the public that AI can be developed and implemented in a manner that is beneficial and safe for humanity.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share a story?

One of the most cherished moments in my career occurred during my first year as a teacher. I was quite proud of having cultivated a welcoming environment that attracted a nearly 50/50 gender split in my elective coding classes. That semester, a group of girls from my 7th-grade class approached me, asking if they could collaborate on a special project for their end-of-term capstone. Eagerly, I awaited their creation.

When the time came for them to present their project to the class, I was deeply moved. Earlier that school year, a student from our school had tragically passed away. In honor of their friend, these girls had worked together to create a digital memorial. Their project featured a bed of flowers with their friend’s name gently floating above it. Each flower, when clicked, would reveal an attribute of their friend through a beautiful animation.

This poignant story captures the essence of my “why” behind pursuing a career in computer science education. It showcases the power of coding as a means of expression, connection, and healing, and it demonstrates the potential for technology to touch lives in truly meaningful ways.

As you know, there are not that many women in your industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women into the AI industry?

To engage more women in the AI industry, we need to address the issue from an early age. Research shows that STEM interest and ability are equal among boys and girls at the age of 5, but as children progress to middle school, social pressures can negatively affect girls’ participation in STEM subjects. To counteract this, here are some strategies:

Start young: Encourage girls to explore STEM subjects from an early age by providing them with engaging, hands-on experiences that spark their curiosity and excitement for learning.

Foster a supportive environment: Create inclusive and nurturing learning spaces, both in and out of the classroom, where girls feel comfortable and encouraged to pursue their STEM interests without fear of judgment or discrimination. As demonstrated in my previous response about the girls who created a project to honor their friend who passed away, when provided with a supportive environment, girls can excel in STEM subjects and use their skills to create meaningful and impactful projects.

Challenge stereotypes: Actively work to dismantle gender stereotypes related to STEM fields and promote positive role models for girls, showing them that women can excel in AI and other technical disciplines.

Mentorship and networking: Establish mentorship programs and networking opportunities to connect girls and young women with female professionals in the AI industry, allowing them to receive guidance, inspiration, and support throughout their educational and professional journeys.

Access to resources and opportunities: Ensure that girls have equal access to educational resources, scholarships, internships, and career opportunities within the AI industry, empowering them to pursue their interests and achieve success.

By taking these steps, we can create an environment where girls are inspired and empowered to explore the world of AI, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive industry in the future.

What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?

“Whatever is best for the children” sorry, already used this one for question #4, perhaps we could consolidate?

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

I would initiate a movement called “Stop the Scroll.” In today’s fast-paced digital age, it’s easy to get caught up in endless scrolling through social media feeds and other online distractions. This behavior can have significant negative impacts on mental health, productivity, and interpersonal relationships. My vision for “Stop the Scroll” would be to promote a healthier balance between technology and real-life experiences, particularly for children who are growing up surrounded by digital devices.

As a matter of fact, I am currently writing a book that addresses the challenges of raising children in the digital age. The book will provide parents, educators, and society as a whole with insights and strategies for fostering healthy technology habits and encouraging children to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.

By raising awareness of the potential pitfalls of social media and promoting healthy technology usage (not all screen time is equal), the “Stop the Scroll” movement could benefit countless individuals by improving mental well-being, strengthening interpersonal connections, and fostering a greater appreciation for the world beyond our screens.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Codeninjas.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wgrantsmith/

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational, and we wish you continued success in your important work.

About The Interviewer: David Leichner is a veteran of the Israeli high-tech industry with significant experience in the areas of cyber and security, enterprise software and communications. At Cybellum, a leading provider of Product Security Lifecycle Management, David is responsible for creating and executing the marketing strategy and managing the global marketing team that forms the foundation for Cybellum’s product and market penetration. Prior to Cybellum, David was CMO at SQream and VP Sales and Marketing at endpoint protection vendor, Cynet. David is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jerusalem Technology College. He holds a BA in Information Systems Management and an MBA in International Business from the City University of New York.