TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health

It was my honor and privilege to deliver the opening keynote Monday at National Head Start Association's Early Childhood Innovation Summit in Salt Lake City, where I talked about the role of early childhood education leaders in shaping — not just being shaped by — the future of AI. We are clearly on the verge of a tipping point. AI is affecting practically every aspect of our lives and the economy, from medicine to art, from sports to K-12 education. But we are very much in the building phase in ECE. So far, there have been virtually no applications of AI in our field. But that is likely to change, and quickly. We have the chance, now, to ensure that these tools are used for good. Just as there is a short window of time in which we can influence a young child’s lifelong development, there is a short window of time in which we can influence the development and application of these tools as it pertains to early childhood. That short window is open now. 20 years from now, the path will be charted and it will be incredibly difficult to play catch up. Just as it is exceedingly difficult for a child or adult to catch up developmentally when they do not receive the strong start in life that they deserve. The bottom line is: We must approach this topic proactively. We cannot allow our children to be unknowing participants in yet another experiment. Especially this one. But when I looked around that room Monday, I knew we wouldn't let that happen. I knew we would do what we always do: Fight to protect all children; fight to ensure they have a fair chance and a strong start in life. And we will not shy away from the tools that will help us succeed. Our children deserve that. Our future demands that.

It was such an honor to watch John deliver yesterday’s University of Chicago commencement address and knock it out of the park with his signature brilliance. A few of my favorite passages… ✅ “Don’t be duped into thinking that you can only change the world through a job. Non-job good deeds count on the scoreboard of life too. For every new inverse vaccine, there are tens of thousands who need a ride to the clinic; for every Slaughterhouse 5 there are millions of youngsters having trouble reading; job and non-job matches go on and on.” ✅ “In this world we are usually celebrated for what we know. You have learned to appreciate what you don’t know. That is invaluable.  The power of not knowing makes you constantly curious. Changemakers are people whose inner scientist is never satiated. An inner scientist who is constantly curious. Take that inner scientist to the world, not only in your job but in life.” And probably my favorite part ... ✅ “Don’t push your rock uphill alone.  You will suffer.  Struggle together and the ascent will be meaningful.  That special person will help to focus on what’s right, not wrong, what can be done to change the world, not what cannot be done. My special person is Dana Suskind, my research and life partner.” ✅ “Congratulations, University of Chicago Class of 2024! You are uniquely situated to have deep impact.  May your utility functions remain convex, your endowments diversified, and your memories of this uncommon place forever deep.”

I’m so proud to see John List, my partner in life and work, named University of Chicago’s convocation speaker. His brilliant mind is matched by his expansive heart, and I'm so thrilled our graduates will enter their next chapters with his words as a guide toward good. https://lnkd.in/gPMbVRwz

I’m excited to share that my dear friend and colleague, Dr. Dana Suskind, has contributed the foreword to my upcoming book, The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It). A pediatric neurosurgeon and head of the University of Chicago’s Cochlear Implant Program, Dana is the founder and co-director of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health and the New York Times best selling author of Parent Nation. Here’s a look at the updated cover art, featuring Dana’s contribution. The book will be released by Teachers College Press at Teachers College, Columbia University this September and explores the costly disconnect between what we know (about the science of early learning and importance of the early years) and what we do (in regards to public policy). You can pre-order here: https://lnkd.in/ecUz8TB9 If you’re interested in a signed bookplate, I still have a limited quantity remaining. To claim yours, screenshot your preorder confirmation and email it along with your mailing address to dwuori at gmail dot com. #earlychildhood #earlyyears #eyfs #preschool #childcare #parenting

What happens when you bring together leading scholars and practitioners to look deeply at an urgent issue in society? Breakthrough thinking. We are filled with gratitude to the more than 50 leaders who joined our AI & Society Immersion Days exploring opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence in various contexts, including the future of work, implications for democracy, and promising interventions for social impact. Special thanks to our speakers: Rishad Tobaccowala Renetta McCann Sanjog Misra Ted Souder Ethan Bueno de Mesquita Nick Feamster Kristian Lum David Uminsky Safiya Umoja Noble Christopher Bun, PhD James Evans Andre Uhl Emily Joy Bembeneck Thomas Antony Mark Zitter Dana Suskind Julia Lane

It was my honor to come together with an ideologically diverse group of stakeholders to address family policies that focused on supporting the flourishing of low-to-moderate income families with young children. Read more about our work in this report, including our blueprint for action. https://lnkd.in/ghTp8ex6