In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, host Philippa Wraithmell speaks with Dan Fitzpatrick—educator, author, Forbes contributor, and global advisor on AI in educator. Dan shares his journey from teacher and education leader to becoming one of the most recognised voices helping schools and systems navigate AI beyond the headlines. They explore what it means to lead in uncertainty, balance risk and opportunity, and move from policy compliance toward long-term, human-centred strategy.
Key Themes in This Episode
Dan’s “going viral” journey after ChatGPT launched
AI as a leadership challenge, not just a technical one
Risk vs opportunity: why inaction is also a risk
Moving beyond frameworks into long-term strategy
Courage, judgment and decision-making in uncertainty
Accessibility benefits and equity considerations
Practical experimentation and safe innovation
Bett UK 2026 and the global AI education agenda
Why Listen to This Episode?
AI in education can feel overwhelming—especially when guidance changes weekly and schools fear getting it wrong. This episode is valuable because it goes beyond tools and frameworks. Dan offers a grounded perspective on what leaders actually need: judgment, clarity of purpose, and the courage to act responsibly without waiting for perfect certainty. You’ll also gain practical insights on how schools can experiment safely, build stakeholder trust, and future-proof learning in an AI-driven world.
Who This Episode Is For?
School leaders and MAT leadership teams
Educators exploring AI in classroom practice
Policymakers and system leaders shaping guidance
EdTech leaders and AI product teams
Anyone trying to adopt AI responsibly and equitably
Full Episode Description
How does a teacher become one of the most recognised global voices on AI in education—almost overnight? In this episode, Philippa Wraithmell sits down with Dan Fitzpatrick to unpack the story behind his rapid rise after ChatGPT launched, and what that moment revealed about education’s readiness for disruption.
Dan shares how his interest in educational technology started early, driven by a simple question: why weren’t schools using the tools already available to make teaching and learning easier? That curiosity grew into leadership roles across schools and further education, eventually placing him in the middle of AI strategy work just before large language models entered the public spotlight.
When ChatGPT launched in late 2022, Dan began sharing practical prompts and classroom applications online. The response was immediate—posts went viral, educators flooded his inbox, and within weeks he found himself being called an “AI expert” on national television. That momentum led to his first book, The AI Classroom, and a new career helping schools, colleges, universities, and governments navigate AI adoption.
But this episode isn’t about popularity—it’s about leadership. Dan argues that AI is not just another technology shift. It forces education systems to make high-stakes decisions in uncertainty. Waiting for perfect clarity can be more risky than acting, especially when the world is moving faster than policy. He shares a key lesson: make decisions you can roll back, measure impact constantly, and stay informed as tools and terms evolve.
They also explore why frameworks matter—but aren’t enough. Dan introduces the idea of “throwing your hat over the wall”: setting a vision for what education should become, then working backwards to build the system needed to get there. The message is clear—AI requires more than compliance. It requires courage, purpose, and human-centred strategy.
Listen to the full episode for deeper insights and practical inspiration on AI in education. You can also explore Bett UK to discover the latest EdTech innovation and connect with global education leaders.
Philippa Wraithmell is an education and digital-learning strategist based in the UAE. As the founder of EdRuption and Digital Bridge, she leads work on digital wellbeing, innovation, and evidence-informed practice. As host of The EdTech Podcast, Philippa explores how technology can elevate teaching, learning, and equitable education across the globe.
Dan Fitzpatrick, known globally as The AI Educator, advises governments, schools, and businesses on AI in education. He is a bestselling author of four books focused on educational strategy and the future of learning, and a renowned international keynote speaker. Dan is also a weekly contributor to Forbes, where he writes on advanced technology, AI, and how education systems must evolve to prepare learners for rapid change.
#304
Going Viral, with Dan Fitzpatrick
Subscribe on : iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music
Episode Overview
In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, host Philippa Wraithmell speaks with Dan Fitzpatrick—educator, author, Forbes contributor, and global advisor on AI in educator. Dan shares his journey from teacher and education leader to becoming one of the most recognised voices helping schools and systems navigate AI beyond the headlines. They explore what it means to lead in uncertainty, balance risk and opportunity, and move from policy compliance toward long-term, human-centred strategy.
Key Themes in This Episode
Why Listen to This Episode?
AI in education can feel overwhelming—especially when guidance changes weekly and schools fear getting it wrong. This episode is valuable because it goes beyond tools and frameworks. Dan offers a grounded perspective on what leaders actually need: judgment, clarity of purpose, and the courage to act responsibly without waiting for perfect certainty. You’ll also gain practical insights on how schools can experiment safely, build stakeholder trust, and future-proof learning in an AI-driven world.
Who This Episode Is For?
Full Episode Description
How does a teacher become one of the most recognised global voices on AI in education—almost overnight? In this episode, Philippa Wraithmell sits down with Dan Fitzpatrick to unpack the story behind his rapid rise after ChatGPT launched, and what that moment revealed about education’s readiness for disruption.
Dan shares how his interest in educational technology started early, driven by a simple question: why weren’t schools using the tools already available to make teaching and learning easier? That curiosity grew into leadership roles across schools and further education, eventually placing him in the middle of AI strategy work just before large language models entered the public spotlight.
When ChatGPT launched in late 2022, Dan began sharing practical prompts and classroom applications online. The response was immediate—posts went viral, educators flooded his inbox, and within weeks he found himself being called an “AI expert” on national television. That momentum led to his first book, The AI Classroom, and a new career helping schools, colleges, universities, and governments navigate AI adoption.
But this episode isn’t about popularity—it’s about leadership. Dan argues that AI is not just another technology shift. It forces education systems to make high-stakes decisions in uncertainty. Waiting for perfect clarity can be more risky than acting, especially when the world is moving faster than policy. He shares a key lesson: make decisions you can roll back, measure impact constantly, and stay informed as tools and terms evolve.
They also explore why frameworks matter—but aren’t enough. Dan introduces the idea of “throwing your hat over the wall”: setting a vision for what education should become, then working backwards to build the system needed to get there. The message is clear—AI requires more than compliance. It requires courage, purpose, and human-centred strategy.
Listen to the full episode for deeper insights and practical inspiration on AI in education. You can also explore Bett UK to discover the latest EdTech innovation and connect with global education leaders.
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