Tech Companies in Schools: Natasha Singer on Code.org, AI, and the Fight for Computer Science Education

Lauren Feiner interviews New York Times education technology reporter Natasha Singer about her book Coding Kids and the decades-long push by tech companies and nonprofits to shape K-12 computer science education. The conversation traces recurring cycles of classroom technology, from Edison's projectors to Code.org's Hour of Code and the current AI-focused pivot.

■ Tech-in-education cycles and business motives
- Edison's projectors, Apple computers, Chromebooks, and AI chatbots
- Educational hopes combined with commercial incentives

■ Code.org and academic computer science efforts
- Viral campaign, Hour of Code, state laws, and teacher training
- AP Computer Science Principles, Exploring Computer Science, and corporate curricula

■ Influence, evidence, and the AI pivot
- Deep lobbying through nonprofits and UNESCO evidence on devices
- AI rebranding, CS graduate job struggles, and human-centered teaching

For listeners interested in education policy, edtech, and the tech industry's role in schools, the episode provides context on recurring debates and open questions about AI-era curricula.