AWS Education Podcast

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• S1E26: 26: Bridging Academia & Industry; Shaping AI-Ready Talent 05.05.2026 24min

  In this episode, Pratik Chunawala shares his experience bridging the gap between academia and industry through deep partnerships with NYU Tandon, Carnegie Mellon University, and the City University of New York (CUNY). As a Principal Consultant in AWS ProServe, Pratik discusses how he's helping shape curriculum to prepare students for the AI era, moving beyond tool usage to governance, security architecture, and spec-driven development. He also shares his bold 2031 prediction for where AI is headed. Key Discussion PointsServing on the NYU Tandon Alumni Advisory Council to mentor women in STEM and underrepresented studentsVisiting lecturer role at Carnegie Mellon University connecting curriculum to industry best practicesNew appointment to CUNY's AI and Emerging Tech Advisory CommitteeEvolving curriculum from "learning to build AI" to "learning to govern AI in mission-critical systems"Hands-on industry sessions bringing NYU students into Amazon's Bryant Park office with executive speakersSpec-driven development with Kiro as a teaching methodology for real-world problem solvingKiro for Students program: 1 year of free access with 1,000 monthly credits, no credit card requiredThe 2031 prediction: AI becomes invisible infrastructure, like electricity or the farming tractorFeatured TechnologiesKiro (Agentic IDE)Spec-Driven DevelopmentAgentic AIKey TakeawaysCurriculum must shift focus from how tools work to how to apply tools to industry-specific problems, tools will be outdated by graduationSpec-driven development teaches students to work backwards from problems, using steering documents rather than white coding or basic promptingKiro for Students lowers the barrier to entry with free, usage-based access across 11 initial universities including NYUThe most underrated professional skill: communicating technical decisions to non-technical stakeholders with competing incentivesIndustry-academia partnerships give students exposure to real failure modes, interoperability challenges, and system security considerationsTags #GenAI #EdTech #AWS #AgenticAI #AmazonKiro #HigherEducation #AIinEducation #SpecDrivenDevelopment #WomenInSTEM #StudentSuccess #UniversityPartnerships #FutureOfWork #CurriculumDesign #NYUTandon #CUNY #CarnegieMellon #AWSProServe #KiroForStudents #IndustryAcademia #DigitalTransformation
• S1E25: 25: Building Security Champions & Educating Teams for the AI Era 20.04.2026 25min

  In this episode, Sarah Currey shares her insights on building a culture of security through AWS's Security Champions program and the innovative approaches to AI security in the age of autonomous agents. She discusses the launch of the free Security Champion Knowledge Path on AWS Skill Builder, AWS's partnership with Mido Academy in South Africa, and critical considerations for securing agentic AI systems in education and beyond. Key Discussion PointsAWS Guardian's Program with 5,000+ security champions driving velocity and security outcomesLaunch of the free Security Champion Knowledge Path on AWS Skill Builder with Credly certificationPartnership with Mido Academy in South Africa creating cybersecurity pathways out of povertyEmotional intelligence and soft skills as critical differentiators in the AI automation eraAgentic AI security challenges and the AWS Agentic AI Scoping Matrix frameworkShift-left security approach and embedding security throughout application lifecycleFeatured TechnologiesAWS Skill BuilderAWS Security Reference ArchitectureAgentic AI Scoping MatrixGen AI Scoping MatrixAmazon BedrockMCP Server IntegrationKey TakeawaysSecurity champions increase product launch velocity by embedding security expertise across development teamsThe Security Champion Knowledge Path offers free training with interactive Simulearn simulations and Credly certificationMido Academy achieved 72% internship placement and 38% conversion to permanent employment in 2024Agentic AI systems require fundamentally different security approaches than traditional cloud modelsFour critical questions for AI security: What can the agent access? What actions can it take? Does it require human approval? What's the scope of impact?Resources MentionedAWS Skill Builder Security Champion Knowledge PathCredly Badge CertificationAWS Agentic AI Scoping MatrixAWS Gen AI Scoping MatrixAWS Security Reference Architecture for AIMido Academy PartnershipWomen in CybersecurityThe Cyber GuildTags #AWS #CyberSecurity #SecurityChampions #AISecurity #AgenticAI #EdTech #HigherEducation #SkillBuilder #SecurityTraining #MidoAcademy #SouthAfrica #CyberSecurityEducation #CloudSecurity
• S1E24: 24: Resiliency in Gen AI Applications 13.04.2026 26min

  In this episode, Joe Chapman joins Pranusha Manchala to discuss the critical importance of resiliency in generative AI applications for education. Joe shares his expertise on building highly reliable and resilient AI systems, exploring how EdTech companies can ensure their AI-powered platforms remain available and trustworthy when students, teachers, and administrators need them most. The conversation covers shared fate architecture, fault isolation strategies, monitoring best practices, and actionable steps for implementing resilient Gen AI systems.
• S1E23: 23: CoTeacher - AI-Powered Support for Inclusive Education 30.03.2026 23min

  This episode explores CoTeacher, an innovative generative AI-powered tool developed through collaboration between AWS Cloud Innovation Center and California school districts. The solution addresses a critical challenge in education: helping teachers efficiently manage and implement individualized accommodations for diverse learners. CoTeacher instantly surfaces required student accommodations from IEPs and 504 plans while providing actionable teaching guidance, enabling educators to deliver more inclusive instruction confidently and efficiently.
• S1E22: 22: Math Fact Lab and its scale on AWS 16.03.2026 26min

  In this episode, Mike Kenny shares the inspiring journey of Math Fact Lab, a platform revolutionizing how students master foundational math skills. As a former fifth-grade math teacher with 19 years of experience, Mike discusses how he transformed his classroom materials into a cloud-hosted application that helps students develop math fact fluency through research-based strategies rather than traditional memorization. He reveals how AWS has supported Math Fact Lab's growth from a bootstrapped startup to serving schools and districts nationwide, emphasizing the importance of conceptual understanding and personalized learning in mathematics education.
• S1E21: 21: Instructure's Ignite AI: Transforming Education with Amazon Bedrock 02.03.2026 15min

  In this episode, Zach Pendleton, Chief Architect at Instructure, shares how the company built Ignite AI—an agentic AI solution powered by Amazon Bedrock—to transform educator and student experiences in Canvas LMS. Zach discusses the journey from concept to beta in just 6 months, the technical architecture decisions, and how they addressed critical concerns around data privacy and responsible AI implementation in education.
• S1E20: 20: PowerSchool’s Power Buddy - AI-powered learning assistant 16.02.2026 7min

  In this special re:Invent episode, Gayathri from PowerSchool shares the journey of building Power Buddy, an AI-powered learning assistant that evolved from a hackathon project to a full suite of products serving over 60 million K-12 students. The conversation focuses on implementing robust content filtering using fine-tuned models on AWS SageMaker, addressing student safety concerns while reducing false positives, and the future of agentic AI in education technology.
• S1E19: 19: University of Cincinnati: Going Digital 02.02.2026 29min

  Episode Details: Duration: ~29 minutes Host: Bret Pontillo Guests: Bharath Prabhakaran - VP and Chief Digital Officer, University of Cincinnati Josette Riep - AVP of Integrated Data Engineering and Application Services, University of Cincinnati  Episode Summary:  In this episode, Bret Pontillo sits down with two leaders from the University of Cincinnati to discuss their comprehensive digital transformation journey. Bharath Prabhakaran and Josette Riep share insights on modernizing a 200+ year old institution serving 54,000 students across three campuses. They discuss their four-pillar approach to digital transformation, including operational excellence, cybersecurity, modernization, and innovation through AI and data analytics. The conversation covers their implementation of modern data architecture using AWS, Snowflake, and Informatica, the launch of their AI enablement community of practice, and their vision for personalized learning experiences powered by agentic AI.  Key Discussion Points: Four-pillar digital transformation framework: operational excellence, cybersecurity/resiliency, modernization, and innovation Centralization of distributed IT operations across colleges and units Implementation of Bearcat Insights platform using AWS, Snowflake, and Informatica Launch of AI enablement community of practice with 75+ use cases submitted Development of Bearcat Portal as unified student experience platform Transition from data silos to integrated enterprise data strategy Building CMMC compliant research enclave on AWS Addressing the demographic cliff and enrollment challenges in higher education Key Takeaways: Digital transformation requires focus on people, process, and technology - in that order Building trust with data owners is critical for breaking down data silos Innovation must come from the edge, not the center - community-driven approach works Change leadership and relationship building are essential in higher education governance Workforce upskilling is critical to prepare teams for AI-enabled future Personalized learning at scale will be enabled through agentic AI workflows Resources Mentioned: University of Cincinnati "Next Lives Here" strategic direction CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) Tags:  #HigherEducation #DigitalTransformation #AWS #DataStrategy #AI #EdTech #CyberSecurity #StudentExperience #Innovation #UniversityOfCincinnati #Bearcats #CloudComputing #ModernDataArchitecture 
• S1E18: 18: Building the Future of Education with TrackIt 26.01.2026 32min

  In this episode, Bret Pontillo sits down with TrackIt's leadership team to explore how system integrators are transforming education through AWS cloud solutions. Ludo Francois and Brad Winett share their journey from traditional infrastructure to cloud-native solutions, discussing how they're helping educational institutions leverage streaming media, AI, and custom applications. The conversation covers everything from virtual classroom technology to innovative partnerships with institutions like Epitech Paris, demonstrating how cloud technology is making education more accessible and engaging.
• S1E17: 17: Move First, Align Fast - Building Trust in AI Implementation 19.01.2026 21min

  In this episode, Deepika Chopra, CEO and founder of Alpha U AI and author of "Move First, Align Fast," shares her insights on organizational alignment and AI adoption. Drawing from 15+ years in financial services and digital transformation, Deepika discusses why technology implementations fail despite having the best tools, and introduces frameworks for building trust-native AI systems. The conversation explores the critical gap between AI strategy and execution, focusing on the human side of technological change.
• S1E16: 16: Building AI Apps with Amazon Q Business 12.01.2026 20min

  In this episode, Pranusha and Bret dive deep into Amazon Q Business, AWS's most capable generative AI-powered assistant. They explore how educational institutions can quickly build custom AI applications using natural language, leverage Q Apps for personalized learning experiences, and integrate with 45+ data connectors. The discussion covers practical implementation strategies, security features, custom connector development, and flexible pricing models designed for education use cases.
• S1E15: 15: Web3, Stablecoins & the Future of Education 05.01.2026 32min

  In this episode, Brett Pontillo sits down with Nico Menciere, a Senior Startup Solution Architect at AWS specializing in Web3 and FinTech companies. Nico provides an in-depth exploration of stablecoins, decentralized finance (DeFi), and how blockchain technology is creating new opportunities in education. The conversation covers everything from the basics of Web3 to practical applications for educational institutions, including tuition payments, financial aid, scholarships, and content monetization in underserved markets
• S1E14: 14: Leading Innovation in EdTech 29.12.2025 22min

  In this special episode recorded at the AWS DC Summit, Vanitha Sugumaran shares her inspiring journey from manufacturing at John Deere to leading AWS's Solutions Architect team. She discusses her leadership philosophy, the critical role of operational excellence, and how AWS supports EdTech companies through innovation and strategic partnerships. Vanitha emphasizes the importance of understanding customers deeply, building the right team culture, and preparing for the unique seasonality challenges in education technology.
• S1E13: 13: How AI is transforming education 22.12.2025 21min

  In this special episode recorded at the AWS DC Summit, James Kuhlke, a Principal Solution Architect at AWS, shares his insights on how AI is transforming education. With 6 years of experience working with strategic EdTech companies, James discusses the revolutionary impact of generative AI on both educators and students, emphasizing that AI will enhance rather than replace the human element in education.
• S1E12: 12: Personalized Learning Meets AI in K-12 15.12.2025 16min

  In this episode of the AWS Education Podcast, host Bret Pontillo sits down with Brett Berman, Solution Architect Manager at AWS, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming personalized learning in K-12 education. Brett shares insights on how state and local education customers are leveraging AI to create individualized lesson plans for English language learners, bilingual students, and students with disabilities. The conversation covers practical implementation strategies, the importance of teacher involvement, and how AI serves as an assistant rather than a replacement for educators.
• S1E11: 11: Ethical AI & Procurement Innovation in Higher Ed 08.12.2025 18min

  In this episode of the AWS Education Podcast, host Bret Pontillo sits down with David Gendle, Senior Manager of Solutions Architecture for AWS's Southeast region, to discuss the critical challenges faced by higher education and state/local government institutions. David, who has been with AWS since 2013, shares insights on establishing ethical AI frameworks, addressing skills gaps, and modernizing procurement processes to enable innovation while maintaining appropriate guardrails.
• S1E10: 10: University of Pittsburgh's AI Transformation 03.12.2025 16min

  In this special DC Summit edition, Shane Kalil sits down with Joseph T. Yun, who brings a unique dual perspective as both a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and CEO of Blue Fox Labs. Joseph shares his insights on how AI is transforming higher education operations, the financial pressures driving technological change, and why universities need to rethink their approach to enterprise applications. The conversation explores the shift from traditional monolithic systems to microservices and AI agents, offering a techno-optimistic vision for higher education's technological future.
• S1E9: 9: Vocareum: Personalized Learning with AI 27.10.2025 27min

  In this episode, Sanjay Srivastava shares his entrepreneurial journey from semiconductor design to education technology, discussing how Vocareum is revolutionizing hands-on learning through virtual labs and cloud sandboxes.
• S1E8: 8: Anthology digital transformation journey using Amazon Connect 07.10.2025 14min

  In this episode, Richa Batra shares Anthology's digital transformation journey, particularly focusing on how they're leveraging AWS and AI to revolutionize student support services in higher education. She discusses their transition from a traditional contact center model to an AI-enhanced system that maintains human-centered service while improving efficiency and accessibility.
• S1E7: 7: Demystifying GenAI in Education 01.10.2025 20min

  This episode explores the transformative impact of Generative AI in education technology, featuring insights from Leo Zhadanovsky. The discussion covers practical applications of AWS's GenAI tools, including Q for Business, Amazon Bedrock, and AWS Transform, with a focus on how educational institutions can implement these technologies to enhance productivity and streamline operations without being overwhelmed.