*Stepping in from the brisk morning air, you are greeted by the spiced scent of pumpkin that fills the cafe. The clouds outside are in contrast to the flickering candles that have been spread out strategically throughout the cafe.

Like some of the other customers, Dashboard sits on a stool while reading a book. As you approach, the barista looks up from the book, closes it, and flashes a smile.*

Welcome to Bandwidth and Brew: where we serve up your scroll fuel, no matter how you take your brew!

Can I offer you one of our cozy fall drinks? They’re perfect for sipping while cozying up with your favorite book!

*You glance at the book in the barista’s hand before nodding.*

This? Oh this is just my current read.

It’s called “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman. The book is about a murder, as the title suggests, but the twist is that our detectives are folks that live at a retirement home.

I felt inspired by one of our brews- an article from TODAY– to give this specific book a chance.

The article is a list of book suggestions from author of “Olga Dies Dreaming”, Xochitl Gonzalez, for what she recommends to read during the month of September. The list includes several different novels from a thriller to a novel to help celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Would you like a taste of these bookish flavors?

*If you consider yourself a reader or not, the article does sound interesting… but not exactly what you are in the mood for right now. You politely inquire what else Dashboard may have to offer.*

Not the fall reading type, eh?

That’s perfectly fine.

I do have other bookish news for you. Would you like me to whip you up some of that?

*Curious, you nod your head.*

Literacy levels among the youth are at an alarming low, with reading levels before the pandemic slipping to the lowest they have been in a decade- according to an article by CNN. The slide in reading levels may be due to increased screen time, shortened attention spans, and less exposure to longer texts.

The solution? Some believe it is incorporating AI in the classrooms.

Denver Public Schools has made strides to this solution by introducing Amira Learning- an AI learning platform- to their classrooms. When a child reads aloud, the AI tool will intervene when a student  is struggling with reading a word. The tool may even suggest that the student use their mouse to underline the word and sound it out.

Other AI tools are allowing students to more easily test their reading levels. These same platforms come up with suggestions for the students of reading material. These AI tools also allow children who have particular disadvantages while learning how to read- such students that have parents who aren’t fluent in English reading- to catch up with other students in their classroom.

Though the platforms are helpful, the article says that AI cannot single-handedly fix the literacy levels among youth. The platform must be complementary to a teacher or parent’s aid and instruction. 

The AI tools must also be able to promise protection of students’ privacy. Another downside of AI tools in the classroom is finding the balance between using technology in the classroom and continuing to lean on traditional learning methods.

What do you think? Do you see AI reading tools being beneficial? Or could you see it harming literacy skills even further?

*As you ponder the question, Dashboard reaches down and hands to a steaming pumpkin latte, filled to the brim with whipped cream and caramel topping.*

Here you go: I know you like your telecommunications news piping hot!