In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, I sit down with Chris Agnew — ed-tech entrepreneur, experiential learning evangelist, and the driving force behind Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub.

Chris shares his unconventional journey into AI, from wilderness expeditions and lab schools to leading Teton Science Schools and working in venture-backed edtech during the release of ChatGPT. His background informs a vision for AI in education that is less industrial and more experiential, personalized, and student-centered.

We dive into:

• The mission of Stanford’s Generative AI for Education Hub — to be a trusted, research-driven resource for school leaders
• Why privacy, security, and pedagogy matter more than hype in AI adoption
• How research partnerships with districts are uncovering what effective AI use looks like in practice
• Chris’s vision for transforming education away from factory models and toward more human-centered, hands-on learning

This episode captures a pivotal moment in AI adoption: one where the right balance between innovation and responsibility could redefine education for the next generation.