Applied AI in K-12, Higher Ed and Industry
Live panel discussion of education & industry experts
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What happens when K-12, higher education, manufacturing, and a startup tech company sit around the same table to talk about AI? This episode brings that rare collaboration to life.
Recorded live at TitletownTech—the venture studio founded by Microsoft and the Green Bay Packers—this panel features four leaders from distinctly different sectors, all navigating how AI is changing their world. From fault anomaly detection in industrial equipment to generative AI in K-12 classrooms, this episode is a crash course in what applied AI really looks like on the ground.
Panelists include:
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Mike Beighley, Superintendent, Whitehall School District
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Dr. Kate Burns, Provost & Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay
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Rick Roeske, Senior Director of Service and Solutions, BW Converting
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Alex Tyink, Founder & CEO, Fork Farms
Moderated by Matt Kirchner, Host of The TechEd Podcast
Through stories of innovation, disruption, and surprising lessons, these leaders share how they’re preparing students, supporting workers, and strengthening their communities with artificial intelligence.
Listen to learn:
- How a rural K-12 school is using AI to power personalized learning and student-led scheduling
- What happens when higher ed rethinks writing and assessment in the age of ChatGPT
- How manufacturers are using AI to capture tribal knowledge and improve customer relationships
- What it’s like to co-develop AI solutions inside the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab
- Why human connection and relevance still matter more than ever in the AI-powered classroom
3 Big Takeaways from this Episode:
1. AI is expanding what’s possible in education by unlocking more personalized, student-centered learning. In both K-12 and higher ed, AI is giving educators the tools to meet students where they are—academically, emotionally, and logistically. From adaptive math instruction to AI-driven student support systems, the future of learning is more flexible, scalable, and responsive.
2. Manufacturing is using AI not just to fix machines, but to build better relationships. Rick Roeske shares how BW Converting uses AI to detect fault anomalies, preserve expert knowledge, and improve customer support—often solving problems before clients even notice. It’s not just about performance; it’s about trust.
3. For startups, AI partnerships can unlock capabilities far beyond their headcount. Alex Tyink explains how Fork Farms built a proprietary AI farm management system with help from the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Lab—accessing high-level expertise and infrastructure that most early-stage companies could never afford to build in-house.
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This podcast is a great resource to keep up with all the exciting changes in the world of manufacturing and technology. Get key insight from industry leaders from the Midwest and around the globe that you won’t find anywhere else. A must listen for anyone interested in how technology is changing the way businesses operate.
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This podcast has its fingers on the pulse of Industry 4.0, and Matt K. is a phenomenal guide, traversing the complexities of manufacturing and education in one forum. A+ work all around!
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Such great content that deserves more attention at all level of education. I wish I heard some of these episodes when I was navigating my own career path. Incredible guests, with incredible messages to share. Keep up the great work!
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