Inside ConnectINK: What Happens When AI Asks Questions Instead of Giving Answers

In this episode, we explore ConnectINK, an AI-powered writing coach that's different from every other AI tool you've encountered: it will never write for your students. Instead of generating content, ConnectINK asks questions. "Who else was there?" "What did that feel like?" "Can you describe another event related to this one?" Join us for a conversation with the full design team—educators, software engineers, and program managers—as they share how they built a tool that speeds up the feedback cycle while keeping students in the driver's seat. You'll hear about the 16-year-old who rejected an "easier" feature because "writing is supposed to be difficult," teachers who went from AI-skeptics to enthusiasts, and why innovation happens when you put student learning above everything else. If you're wrestling with how to use AI ethically in your classroom, this conversation will change how you think about what's possible. We’re proud to make this content free and accessible to all. If you find value in our episodes, please consider donating to support and sustain our efforts: https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/giving.html