First Covid, Now AI: What Will School Look Like in 2030?

First it was Covid. Now it’s AI. Parents and educators everywhere are asking the same question: What will school even look like in 2030—when today’s kids are college age?

In this episode of 12 Hours Back, host Sarah Lundrigan—mom of two, ex-law enforcement officer, Realtor turned AI strategist—cuts through the noise around AI in schools. She’s tested over 100+ AI tools, seen the good, the bad, and the hype, and now brings you the plain-sight version: what’s real, what’s myth, and what you need to know today.

Drawing from UNESCO’s major 150-page report AI and the Future of Education: Disruptions, Dilemmas, and Directions, Sarah breaks it down into simple, usable insights:

Facts vs. Myths: One-third of the world is still offline, yet AI tutors, companions, and even AI professors are already in classrooms. The myth? That banning AI “protects” kids. The truth? It just leaves them further behind.

Parent Fears: From kids outsourcing essays to wondering if college will even be relevant by 2030, Sarah shares the questions families are quietly asking—but few experts address head-on.

Opportunities for Schools: How AI can actually support—not replace—teachers, reduce stress, and help students build the human skills (creativity, adaptability, critical thinking) that will matter most in tomorrow’s job market.

The Workforce Link: Why education policy isn’t just about schools—it’s about shaping the talent pipeline for businesses, the economy, and jobs that don’t even exist yet.

And for the curious? Stick around until the end. Sarah fed the UNESCO report into NotebookLM, an AI tool that turned a dense PDF into a digestible podcast. She shares a short clip so you can hear how AI can make complex research simple, fast, and even engaging. If you’re short on time, you can fast-forward—but once you hear it, you’ll understand why this technology could change learning forever.

This episode isn’t about hype or fear—it’s about clarity. What happens in education today will ripple through every classroom, every business, and every career tomorrow. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or parent, you’ll leave this episode with a clearer view of the future and the tools to make sure you and your students aren’t 12 hours behind.

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