AI Unplugged

Reviews / Votes

"AI Unplugged is the book that is needed on AI in education. Neither condemning or proselytising, this is a book grounded in the realities of the profession, and underpinned by principles of critique, justice and collective action. AI Unplugged should be read by all those committed to public education and the democratic project, and equally, if not more, by those who are not."

Professor Kalervo N. Gulson, Centre for AI, Trust & Governance, University of Sydney, Australia.

"The authors of this book remind us that the future of education depends not only on what students know or can do, but on who they become and what they value. It is in this context that the book serves as a field guide for educators attempting to engage with ever-evolving digital tools, but to do so with a critical eye."

Pasi Sahlberg, Professor in Educational Leadership, The University of Melbourne

"Technology should always enhance and never diminish the human connection. Whether it is AI co-designed with teachers or mentoring programs that prioritize relationships, the goal remains the same: A digital transformation that lifts the profession rather than automating it. AI Unplugged helps us achieve that goal."

Chris Abercrombie, Te Amorangi/President, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association Te Wehengarua

"Education in modern times is addressed, attacked and disrupted in many ways. AI is certainly one of the most complex, interesting and influential disruptive elements. By drawing on the current debate Murgatroyd and Couture inform and inspire an ongoing educational discourse where human agency and the culture of education are woven into various aspects of a myriad of potential AI influence. This is particularly valuable for the professional field of education."

Jon Torfi Jonasson, Professor emeritus, School of Education, University of Iceland

"As the title of the book suggests, in using AI in education, there is hype and there is also hope. As the educational landscape evolves quickly and unpredictably, the challenge for educators is to see through the hype of AI to realize its real hope. This book provides valuable insights to educators in meeting this challenge, both conceptually and practically. Paradoxically, AI Unplugged will help you plug better into an AI era."

Pak Tee Ng, PhD, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

"AI unplugged is ultimately a hopeful read. The reworking of UNESCO's four pillars of learning, so that they centre the learning of collectives rather than individuals, is inspired. This thinking resonates with so much of my own recent work and I look forward to further rich case studies to come."

Rosemary Hipkins, Emeritus Chief Researcher, New Zealand Council for Educational Research

"What a breath of fresh air this book is. A practical and pragmatic engagement with the new AI technologies. The hype has been unplugged and hope restored that we can make the digital work in classroom on educational terms."

Susan Robertson, Professor Sociology, University of Manchester

"In AI Unplugged: The Hype and Hope in Education Futures, Stephen Murgatroyd and Jean-Claude Couture provide a necessary correction. Rather than asking why GenAI can do for schools, they ask what is the technology that schools deserve. The book is a thoughtful tour through education as a purposeful act, reminding us that GenAI and its 'promise' needs to be read through the futures that societies aspire to build for their young people. And if it is thought in this way, perhaps there is an otherwise to the fast, commodification of learning that seems so convincing."

Professor Greg Thompson, Director, Institute for Learning Sciences & Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University

"Grounded in sustained dialogue with educators during the time when AI exploded into our social imaginary, this book outlines a set of alternative scenarios in which AI is deployed to enhance the fundamental role of humanist pedagogy in our societies rather than disrupt it."

Professor Sam Sellar, Adelaide University, Australia

"Birth and death go together. AI Unplugged clearly articulates this duality of inspiration and fear. Old systems are in decline and dying. New ones are being born and taking first steps. Such transitions call for the courage and integrity needed to appreciate past accomplishments and imagine the potential of the future. AI Unplugged fully embraces this challenge. The authors have crafted a highly ethical, open-minded, and systematic voyage through the upheavals, threats and promises of change. They offer something rare, a general overview that walks the fine line between capitulating to the false narratives of technological inevitability and nostalgic refusal to even contemplate the upsides of disruptive possibilities. AI Unplugged is a comprehensive and sensitive voyage into the prospects of preserving what is good about the past without stifling the promise of what is new. And for all its pragmatism and balance it does not sugar-coat the message: humans are not always very good at making changes peacefully or cooperatively - the story of this new tool in the context of today's evident 'poly-crisis' is not written in advance. Fear and reaction may prevail or a willingness to experiment, learn, and find resilience in nourishing differences rather than attempting to suppress them. Read AI Unplugged!"

Dr Riel Miller, Senior Fellow, Ecole des Ponts Business School, Paris and former Head of Futures Literacy, UNESCO "AI Unplugged is the book that is needed on AI in education. Neither condemning or proselytising, this is a book grounded in the realities of the profession, and underpinned by principles of critique, justice and collective action. AI Unplugged should be read by all those committed to public education and the democratic project, and equally, if not more, by those who are not."

Professor Kalervo N. Gulson, Centre for AI, Trust & Governance, University of Sydney, Australia.

"The authors of this book remind us that the future of education depends not only on what students know or can do, but on who they become and what they value. It is in this context that the book serves as a field guide for educators attempting to engage with ever-evolving digital tools, but to do so with a critical eye."

Pasi Sahlberg, Professor in Educational Leadership, The University of Melbourne

"Technology should always enhance and never diminish the human connection. Whether it is AI co-designed with teachers or mentoring programs that prioritize relationships, the goal remains the same: A digital transformation that lifts the profession rather than automating it. AI Unplugged helps us achieve that goal."

Chris Abercrombie, Te Amorangi/President, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association Te Wehengarua

"Education in modern times is addressed, attacked and disrupted in many ways. AI is certainly one of the most complex, interesting and influential disruptive elements. By drawing on the current debate Murgatroyd and Couture inform and inspire an ongoing educational discourse where human agency and the culture of education are woven into various aspects of a myriad of potential AI influence. This is particularly valuable for the professional field of education."

Jon Torfi Jonasson, Professor emeritus, School of Education, University of Iceland

"As the title of the book suggests, in using AI in education, there is hype and there is also hope. As the educational landscape evolves quickly and unpredictably, the challenge for educators is to see through the hype of AI to realize its real hope. This book provides valuable insights to educators in meeting this challenge, both conceptually and practically. Paradoxically, AI Unplugged will help you plug better into an AI era."

Pak Tee Ng, PhD, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

"AI unplugged is ultimately a hopeful read. The reworking of UNESCO's four pillars of learning, so that they centre the learning of collectives rather than individuals, is inspired. This thinking resonates with so much of my own recent work and I look forward to further rich case studies to come."

Rosemary Hipkins, Emeritus Chief Researcher, New Zealand Council for Educational Research

"What a breath of fresh air this book is. A practical and pragmatic engagement with the new AI technologies. The hype has been unplugged and hope restored that we can make the digital work in classroom on educational terms."

Susan Robertson, Professor Sociology, University of Manchester

"In AI Unplugged: The Hype and Hope in Education Futures, Stephen Murgatroyd and Jean-Claude Couture provide a necessary correction. Rather than asking why GenAI can do for schools, they ask what is the technology that schools deserve. The book is a thoughtful tour through education as a purposeful act, reminding us that GenAI and its 'promise' needs to be read through the futures that societies aspire to build for their young people. And if it is thought in this way, perhaps there is an otherwise to the fast, commodification of learning that seems so convincing."

Professor Greg Thompson, Director, Institute for Learning Sciences & Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University

"Grounded in sustained dialogue with educators during the time when AI exploded into our social imaginary, this book outlines a set of alternative scenarios in which AI is deployed to enhance the fundamental role of humanist pedagogy in our societies rather than disrupt it."

Professor Sam Sellar, Adelaide University, Australia

"Birth and death go together. AI Unplugged clearly articulates this duality of inspiration and fear. Old systems are in decline and dying. New ones are being born and taking first steps. Such transitions call for the courage and integrity needed to appreciate past accomplishments and imagine the potential of the future. AI Unplugged fully embraces this challenge. The authors have crafted a highly ethical, open-minded, and systematic voyage through the upheavals, threats and promises of change. They offer something rare, a general overview that walks the fine line between capitulating to the false narratives of technological inevitability and nostalgic refusal to even contemplate the upsides of disruptive possibilities. AI Unplugged is a comprehensive and sensitive voyage into the prospects of preserving what is good about the past without stifling the promise of what is new. And for all its pragmatism and balance it does not sugar-coat the message: humans are not always very good at making changes peacefully or cooperatively - the story of this new tool in the context of today's evident 'poly-crisis' is not written in advance. Fear and reaction may prevail or a willingness to experiment, learn, and find resilience in nourishing differences rather than attempting to suppress them. Read AI Unplugged!"

Dr Riel Miller, Senior Fellow, Ecole des Ponts Business School, Paris and former Head of Futures Literacy, UNESCO