A trip to Google HQ

A Teacher's Adventure: From Wu Kai Sha to the Heart of Innovation

My classroom doesn't have the iconic Hong Kong skyline view. Instead, from our windows, we look out onto the wilds of Wu Kai Sha, a beautiful stretch of nature that reminds my students and me of the world's untamed possibilities. A few weeks ago, I had a chance to see that same spirit of possibility harnessed by some of the most advanced technology on the planet, at Google's headquarters right here in Hong Kong. The experience was a masterclass in how AI can be a powerful creative partner..

I was shown a number of next-generation tools, including an incredible AI-powered video creation app and a platform for building immersive 3D worlds. Seeing these in action was incredible. The ability to create a human-like avatar to present content for a video felt like pure magic. This is a perfect example of how AI can be a "topper" to a lesson, not the lesson itself, freeing us up to work directly with students who need one-on-one support. The technology is a direct link to metacognition, as students can become creators themselves, building their own video tutorials to articulate their understanding.

The Power of Community and Inspiration

While the cutting-edge tech was mind-blowing, the true highlight was the people. I was so inspired by the other educators there, who were sharing their innovative uses of these tools. The energy in the room was electric as we swapped ideas and learned from each other's triumphs and challenges. It reminded me that while the technology is powerful, it's the creative human element that truly brings it to life.

I even had the chance to present on a project called the "Math Arcade." I showed how we can use AI to help with coding and then take that code and embed it directly into a website, such as Google Sites, or save it as a simple HTML file. This allows students to go from a creative idea to a functional, shareable project in no time at all. This hands-on process directly engages students in analytical thinking, the design cycle and problem-solving, as they have to understand the code's purpose to make it work.

I also had the invaluable opportunity to speak with some of the tech creators. They were passionate about showing us the capabilities of their tools, including an impressive model that demonstrated how we can generate and edit images with incredible precision. But the most important part of the conversation was their focus on data safety. They patiently and transparently showed us the systems in place to keep our data secure, reassuring us that in the education space, no student data is ever used to train the models. This was a crucial discussion that reaffirmed the importance of being critical consumers and producers of AI.

A Critical Eye on Our Data

Of course, with all this excitement comes a crucial need for a critical perspective. As educators, we must be vigilant about the data we input. Even with the best protections, it is vital that we never, ever, put personally identifiable student information into AI tools. We must instil in our students the critical habit of asking, "What data am I giving this AI, and what are the risks?"

My trip showed me that the future isn't about AI replacing teachers or students. It's about AI providing us with the tools to be more creative, more efficient, and more focused on the human side of education. It’s about empowering our students to not only learn but to become thoughtful creators themselves.

What’s your biggest takeaway from the world of AI in education?