AI Is Easy to Use. But Do We Know How to Use It?

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are designed to be accessible. But the simplicity of the interface can disguise the complexity of using them effectively. In this episode, we question what it means to be a competent AI user and why access to the technology shouldn't be confused with knowing how to use it. We'll talk about: The difference between operating AI and developing AI competency. Why copying a well-written prompt doesn't necessarily demonstrate an understanding of AI. How conversation history, context, and user preferences can influence AI output. How sustained interaction can change both the user's approach and the responses they receive. Why critical thinking includes questioning, challenging, and correcting AI. The difference between improving AI output and developing the user's ability to evaluate it. Why students need instruction in responsible and competent AI use. What researchers and educators need to consider when examining AI's effects on learning. Drawing on my own experience of tens of thousands of AI interactions, I explore how my approach to using AI has developed over time and why I still question what mastery of AI competency actually means. If we're going to expect students to use AI responsibly, shouldn't we first establish what competent AI use looks like and how to teach it? Because the Curriculum Says So… with Laura Bungarz. Connect with me at laurabungarz.ca.