#332: Most People Are Using AI Wrong, Are you?

Episode Summary Most people believe they know how to use AI—but are they simply treating ChatGPT like a replacement for Google? In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, Philippa Wraithmell speaks with Joshua, Co-founder and CEO of Mindstone, about what genuine AI competency looks like and why successful AI transformation depends far more on people, behaviour and organisational culture than technology. Joshua shares his journey from launching his first company as a teenager to co-founding SuperAwesome, the child-safety technology company later acquired by Epic Games. He explains how this experience shaped his thinking about digital safeguarding, parental responsibility and the need to help children engage with technology gradually, rather than attempting to protect them through blanket bans. The conversation explores why simply inserting AI into existing tasks rarely delivers meaningful value. Joshua argues that the real opportunity lies in changing how we approach work: asking AI to question us, challenge our assumptions, identify blind spots and support our thinking rather than outsourcing it. They also examine the widening AI skills divide. As experienced users build years of personal context, workflows and AI agents, those who delay may find themselves increasingly disadvantaged. This has major implications for workplaces, schools and universities—particularly when many institutions still respond to AI through prohibition rather than education. From leadership and workforce transformation to safeguarding, sustainability misconceptions and the future of employment, this episode asks an important question: are we preparing people to use AI well, or simply giving them access to the tools?  Key Topics What genuine AI competency looks like Why most people are using generative AI incorrectly Using AI to enhance rather than replace human thinking Why AI transformation is a people and behaviour-change challenge The responsibility of senior leaders during AI adoption The growing inequality between experienced and inexperienced AI users Why banning AI in schools can encourage secretive and inappropriate use Building safer, age-appropriate pathways into AI and social media The role of parents, governments and technology companies in safeguarding Misconceptions surrounding AI's environmental impact How AI agents are changing productivity and cognitive workload Preparing people for disruption across employment and education Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Joshua Joshua introduces Mindstone and its work helping non-technical teams use generative AI more effectively. 01:04 – Building a Business at Sixteen From creating websites for family connections to managing a team of students building technology for private banks. 02:08 – Early Start-up Lessons Joshua reflects on a failed start-up, turning down investment and the lessons that led to his next venture. 03:17 – Building SuperAwesome and Protecting Children Online How SuperAwesome developed advertising, privacy and verified parental-consent technology for global children's brands. 04:47 – Safeguarding, Regulation and Parental Responsibility Why Joshua believes governments must avoid removing parental agency when introducing online-safety regulation. 06:46 – Education, Curiosity and Challenging Authority Joshua discusses his school experiences, constant questioning and learning across six different school models. 10:04 – Why Joshua Founded Mindstone The transition from Epic Games into education, learning science and the future of workforce skills. 13:07 – When Skills Expire Before Degrees Are Completed Why the declining half-life of workplace skills raises fundamental questions about traditional education. 14:04 – ChatGPT Changes the Direction of Mindstone How generative AI transformed both the learning process and the skills likely to matter in the future. 15:28 – Why Most People Do Not Know How to Use AI Joshua explains why frequent ChatGPT use does not necessarily equal AI competency. 17:24 – ChatGPT Is Not a Search Engine Why treating AI as a Google replacement represents one of its least valuable applications. 18:17 – A