The US Secretary of Education referred to AI as ‘A1,’ like the steak sauce

American Minister of Education Linda McMahon lived the ASU+GSV Summit this week, where experts in education and technology met to discuss how AI will influence learning.

While on a panel he spoke about AI in the workforce, McMahon repeatedly referred to AI as ‘A1’, such as the steak.

“You know, AI – Development – I mean, how can we train with the speed of light if we don’t have the best technology to do that?” she said. “I heard … that there was a school system that will ensure that the first classes, or even pre-ks, have teaching A1 every year, starting so far in the numbers. That’s great!”

In defense of McMahon it doesn’t seem like she actually thinks that artificial intelligence “A1” has abbreviated. During the panel she first said “ai”, but became less and less consistent.

“It wasn’t that long since it was:” We’re going to have internet at our schools! “” She went on. “Let’s look at A1 now, and how can that be useful.”

AI is such a ubiquitous term that it seems difficult to imagine how you could forget the right acronym – it is as if a professional athlete named Major League Baseball as the “NFL.”

Sometimes speak people. Nobody is perfect. But this feels like a greater scent than normal, especially from the secretary of education.