US Education Secretary Calls AI 'A1' - Mistakenly!

Secretary McMahon's Remarks on AI at ASU+GSV Summit

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon participated in the ASU+GSV Summit this week. The summit brought together leading figures in both education and technology to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in learning environments.

A Notable Slip of the Tongue

During a discussion concerning the integration of AI into the workforce, Secretary McMahon consistently misidentified AI as “A1,” drawing a comparison to the popular steak sauce.

She posed the question: “How can we facilitate education at an accelerated pace without leveraging the most advanced technology available?” McMahon then shared an example, stating, “I was informed of a school district planning to implement ‘A1’ instruction for students as early as pre-kindergarten and first grade. This is a truly positive development!”

Clarification and Context

It appears the repeated use of “A1” was likely a verbal slip, rather than a genuine belief that artificial intelligence is abbreviated as such. Initially, Secretary McMahon correctly used the term AI during the panel discussion.

She further elaborated, recalling a recent past milestone: “It wasn’t long ago that the focus was on bringing internet access to schools!” She then transitioned to discussing “A1” and its potential benefits.

The Significance of Accurate Terminology

Given the widespread use of AI, it seems unusual to misremember the correct acronym. The situation is comparable to a professional athlete mistakenly referring to Major League Baseball as the “NFL.”

Occasional misstatements are understandable; however, this instance is particularly noteworthy given Secretary McMahon’s position as the Secretary of Education.

While everyone makes mistakes, this error stands out due to the context and the speaker’s role.