How Connected Nation is evolving digital skills training to help you understand and use AI

On this episode of Connected Nation, we examine digital skills training and what it takes to evolve from the basics - like learning to use email and the internet - to really mastering emerging trends like AI.

Related links:
AI Literacy Resource Hub
Digital Literacy and Learning Program
Teens Teach Tech, powered by AT&T
Digital Works

Transcript

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Jessica Denson (00:07):

On this episode of Connected Nation, I take you back to the Broadband Nation Expo. This time we examine digital skills training and what it takes to evolve from the basics, like learning to use email and the internet to really mastering things like ai. I'm Jessica Denson, and this is Connected Nation.

I'm back at the Broadband Nation Expo taking place in Orlando, Florida, and we are in the exhibit hall at the Connected Nation booth, where I have the podcast today, and I have run, run across one of my favorite people. 

I've interviewed her a couple of times ever since I started the podcast several times. Heather Gate Crowd goes Wild. I wanna applause. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Hi Judge. Hi. You have a new title? It's Executive Vice President of Digital Transformation, correct? Yes,

Heather Gate (00:58):

Yes. Yes. Thank you. Yes,

Jessica Denson (00:59):

Yes. <laugh> talk, talk about, uh, what, what that means.

Heather Gate (01:02):

Well, that means that I'm changing my title to be, to really speak to the world that we're in right now, which is a world that trans, that's transforming thanks to new technologies like ai, IOT, and, you know, many different things. 

Smart technologies in the world, the way the world's transforming and my role within that world is to help people to make sure that nobody's left behind. Because as you know, technology creates new opportunities and we have to make sure that the least among us are now left behind by these new technological opportunities.

Jessica Denson (01:38):

Yes. Well, you, you opened today mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, you were one of the first panels of the day.

Heather Gate (01:43):

Yes.

Jessica Denson (01:43):

Talk about what the panel was and the topic that you moderated.

Heather Gate (01:47):

Yes. So my top, my, uh, panel was, uh, connecting everyone. And it was a panel that really recognized the expansion of, um, of BEAD to include other technologies, as you know, before bead prioritized fiber.

And then in June, the NTIA released a new order that recognized fixed wireless and LEO satellite at the same level as fiber and made for affordability the primary way that they would determine who would provide service in a certain area. 

So the panel was really talking about the, those two technologies plus how organizations such as Cisco and CX are helping to create hybrid networks that rely on both fiber or, you know, all three technologies. So the technology behind the technology, uh, how do you make those different technologies work

Jessica Denson (02:42):

Together? Yeah. There's been some talk that, that the satellites are great and good solutions for those last mile there, those places they may be a little more inexpensive for the states, but they're, they've not yet been tested. So you really need these hybrid networks. Right,

Heather Gate (02:59):

Exactly. Yeah. So, 'cause a lot of times people don't realize that even if you're using LEO satellites, the satellite is prob may also work through a fiber network once it comes down to the, um, the way it travels in your community. 

Uhhuh, <affirmative>, it could be through fixed wireless or through a fiber network. So there's, there's, uh, there's a reason to understand that, that different networks have to work together.

Jessica Denson (03:24):

Yeah. So what was your final takeaway from the panel, do you think that you walked away with? Was there any aha moments or anything really interesting?

Heather Gate (03:31):

Yeah. Well, my, my very favorite moment is, you know, my, I'm passionate about bridging the digital divide.

(03:37):

Uhhuh came from Mike, I'm sorry Mike, for saying your last name correctly, <laugh>, but it came from Mike and he talked about how, you know, he's being, uh, traveled across the world and how these technologies can be used to solve problems and create opportunities. 

And he talked about precision agriculture being used in other countries to overcome poverty. You know, how do you empower farmers to be more efficient and also have opportunities to sell their products outside of the United States? So, you know, when you talk about new technologies, you also wanna talk about those new technologies, helping communities overcome challenges related to poverty and other things too.

 Because, you know, it's nice to talk about how the cool things that people like you and I can do mm-hmm <affirmative>. But how can we use those technologies to solve problems for people that need the help?

Jessica Denson (04:33):

Yeah. That's really, it's really fascinating. You know, long before I was with Connected Nation, I worked in Haiti, did some disaster cover Yes. Uh, assistance coverage.

Heather Gate (04:41):

Yep.

Jessica Denson (04:42):

And one of the things that, that really helped people was them moving into the farming communities Yes. And farming. And so I can understand completely how it could, I saw firsthand how it could change people's lives Yep. To be able to farm better and do things like that. 

Exactly. So that's, that's incredible to think, you know, that was 10 years ago and to think 10 years later we could help people just by expanding technology is amazing.

Heather Gate (05:04):

Exactly.

Jessica Denson (05:05):

So let's talk about what di what Connected Nation is doing within the digital skills training space. 'cause it's pretty exciting.

Heather Gate (05:11):

Yes.

Jessica Denson (05:11):

Right? Absolutely. You're vol you're evolving some of the programs. 'cause Heather Gate does not stand still. Let me tell y'all people <laugh>, I've worked with her for eight years now and she is always moving forward and looking at that next moonshot.

Heather Gate (05:24):

Yes. Yes. Um, so, you know, we've been in the digital skills training space for over two decades mm-hmm

Jessica Denson (05:32):

<affirmative>. And one of the, you've passed 130,000. Yes. Let's not, that's pretty incredible. We have,

Heather Gate (05:36):

We have

Jessica Denson (05:37):

130,000 trained, let me

Heather Gate (05:38):

Say <laugh>. Yes. No trained. And also our programs impact over 21 million people over the, over since we started the programming.

Jessica Denson (05:46):

That's incredible.

Heather Gate (05:47):

So I think what has been interesting about digital skills training over time is we continue to evolve our program based on the way technology changes.

Jessica Denson (05:57):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>.

Heather Gate (05:57):

When I first started working with Connected Nation, we were literally telling, part of our training was introducing people to broadband. What is it, what does it mean for you? What is a computer? Because that was before people had smartphones and all that

Jessica Denson (06:13):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. And

Heather Gate (06:14):

So with time technology evolved, people now know what the internet is. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. But now we're teaching them meaningful skills, you know, how to use the internet safely or to use certain technologies to, to access resources they need. 

Like if they need telehealth, uh, resources, if they need access to be able to pay bills and things like that. So now what we're in the age where AI is become, it is taken over.

Jessica Denson (06:42):

It's everywhere. <laugh>.

Heather Gate (06:43):

Yeah. The ship has sailed.

Jessica Denson (06:44):

Yeah.

Heather Gate (06:44):

So what we are working on is incorporate AI literacy into our training. Now, when I talk about AI literacy, I'm not, you know, when you hear about ai, you hear these complicated conversations about data centers, GPUs, large learning models

Jessica Denson (07:01):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>.

Heather Gate (07:01):

No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about how do I teach a person who's just starting to use computer, what AI is to them, what they can do with it, and what they shouldn't do with it.

Jessica Denson (07:13):

Mm-hmm

Heather Gate (07:13):

<affirmative>. And how to recognize, uh, and what are the ethical challenges? What are the bias challenges of ai? So those are the kind of conversations we're having to help people navigate this new AI world. Now, a specific example, we have a program called Digital Works, where we help people with job skills. 

And in the past we've helped them with job placement. Now we're in the, uh, we're right now piloting an AI powered Digital Works program. Now what that means is we are teaching them not to create a resume and to create, to create, prepare yourself for the workforce using AI tools. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. How do you use them appropriately correctly. Right. 

You're not using AI to write your resume. No. That's a no-no. But what you can do is you can put your soft skills into AI and get support from AI in transforming those AI soft skills into giving you language that you can add to your resume. 'cause again, you write your own resume, but you use AI to create a

Jessica Denson (08:20):

Framework, Uhhuh <affirmative>,

Heather Gate (08:21):

To give you language and to help you understand what are your strengths. For example, if you worked as a waitress, you know, you can ask AI what soft skills are important for that are important from my experience, and it'll tell you customer service, whatever being organized, blah, blah, blah, blah. 

And those are the type of terms you can use for your resume. So how do you use it correctly? How do you use it to search and understand your employer? And so that's what we're working on and we've had some very exciting and interesting experiences in that.

Jessica Denson (08:55):

Right. Now that's so important because especially when you talk about the job search. 'cause there I've seen so many things that ai, that a lot of HR comp, hr, um, offices or groups that do hiring for companies are using ai.

Heather Gate (09:10):

Yeah.

Jessica Denson (09:10):

So you have to basically, you know, put a code over your resume to protect it <laugh> Yes. To get through those terms Exactly. To get through those things. And that's just one little piece. And, and so a lot of these liter literacy resources, I look, I obviously was involved in looking at some of the hub and I didn't put the, the resources together other than to put 'em on the website. 

But I noticed that there is a lot of stuff there. It's like four beginners, but then it, it evolves, right. Like, so as you learn one thing, you could then decide if you wanna learn it even more. Right?

Heather Gate (09:41):

Exactly. Exactly. So it's really breaking it down to very small and essential pieces for a new learner. Because if you go on the internet right now, because AI is such a hot topic, it's a big ole mess. It is a

Jessica Denson (09:54):

Big ole mess. It's

Heather Gate (09:55):

Ev everything everywhere. And it's hard if you're a new learner to know where to begin. So what we're,

Jessica Denson (10:01):

Or even who to trust

Heather Gate (10:02):

And who to trust.

Jessica Denson (10:03):

Yeah.

Heather Gate (10:04):

So what we've created is a hub that really picks, identifies those organizations that are credible in this space that we know are credible. They've been organizations like, such as Microsoft, Google, you know, the ones that we know, they're providing credible information. So they've, they they've

Jessica Denson (10:24):

Essentially vetted. Yes,

Heather Gate (10:25):

Exactly. And then we put those together in our hub and it's essentially just directs you to go to those websites, but gives you a little bit of information on what the, what it is, uh, what experience you need. Because some, some, some of the materials require you to have some tech skills, but some of them do not. 

So we help organize that and explain it. And then you can click and go your way to Microsoft or Google, wherever to do the lesson. So we essentially curate it. We don't create it. 'cause there's no reason to reinvent the wheel. Right.

Jessica Denson (10:59):

Uhhuh <affirmative>. Yeah. So as with connected issue, you have the digital literacy learning program. You have teens Teach Tech powered by at and t, which is teens led.

Heather Gate (11:08):

Yes.

Jessica Denson (11:08):

Talk a little bit about those two programs in relation to Digital Works.

Heather Gate (11:12):

Yes. Um, so we're so proud of our teens. Teach Tech program is powered by at and t. And that is a program that we empower teenagers to become leaders in their community in terms of training people. And so they get the opportunity to learn leadership, learn teaching skills, learn communication skills. 

They choose their own program, their own target audience in their community to go and train that target audience. So some kids choose their own families, their own school, school, uh, school community. Some of them go, a lot of them have been going to senior centers because they recognize the digital divide with, with the elder community mm-hmm <affirmative>. 

And so it has just been beyond our success of, uh, teens. Teach Tech has been beyond our expectations in the fact that it's not only helping us bridge the digital divide, but it's creating community. Right. And

Jessica Denson (12:10):

Intergenerational community. It's

Heather Gate (12:11):

Right. It's a generational community. Uhhuh, and you know, there's data out there that actually shows that when seniors are engaged in things like that, it's a, it gives them more life. They live longer. It is because, you know, a lot of them experience loneliness. And so not only is it a good Digital Divide program, but it is a good community family building and just great program overall.

Jessica Denson (12:39):

It's fun to see the kids too, and how they react and how excited they are as in, in just to be like, oh, my skills matter Exactly. To the community. Yeah,

Heather Gate (12:47):

Exactly. And you know, a lot of the reason why we thought of Teens Tea Shake was kids were already doing this at their household. Yeah. Right. Everybody's like, Hey, can you just, you know, program the smart tv, can you show me how to use the phone? So a lot of the kids are like, I've been doing this for many years. Everybody comes to me to fix, take, or do things. So it's really harnessing a power that already existed

Jessica Denson (13:11):

There. And there're also an opportunity with, uh, a, a major grocery chain too, right?

Heather Gate (13:16):

Yes, yes, yes. So here's a, you know, the Digital Divide is a very practical issue. And one of the grocery chains, Kroger has started a program where they're, uh, providing, um, they're providing funding for students and people to provide training on people how to use their Kroger app during shopping hours. Now that really brings,

Jessica Denson (13:43):

I need the kids to train me

Heather Gate (13:44):

<laugh>. I'm not

Jessica Denson (13:45):

Kidding. I know. I cannot figure out that app. Anyway, go ahead. I know, like, I'm always pressing buttons,

Heather Gate (13:50):

Like, is it added, is it not?

Jessica Denson (13:51):

Where's the clip coupon? What happened to the coupon? And then I get to the cash register and I'm like, ah, forget it. Forget it. <laugh>.

Heather Gate (13:57):

Yeah. But, you know, but you know, the thing about, you know, beyond just this Kroger app training of seniors, and it's a very interesting sort of issue where a lot of businesses are changing their, the way they do business mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, creating apps and getting rid of paper trail, getting rid of things without recognizing the implications on it on some people that are not tech savvy, like the seniors that Kroger is focusing on. 

So think about that in healthcare, in whatever sector where people now don't even think twice before releasing an app, not realizing that one, you are alienating a customer base or you might lose opportunities for revenue, right? Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Let's talk about the money part. There's money to be made when people are tech savvy and are using your tool on the people side. People lose opportunities do things because they don't have the digital skills. Right.

Jessica Denson (14:53):

They could benefit their lives. Like

Heather Gate (14:55):

Yes. Coupons. Exactly.

Jessica Denson (14:57):

I need the coupons,

Heather Gate (14:57):

Heather. Well, you know, and I think coupons is a big deal because for some people is a, it's a cultural issue.

Jessica Denson (15:03):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>.

Heather Gate (15:04):

People sit on Sundays and cut coupons and put them in their little book for many, many years and then suddenly that's gone. And everyone's like, just use the app.

Jessica Denson (15:13):

It's no big deal. Yeah. So, okay. So I told, I mentioned the three programs. So first off, TC, check and Digital Works are at no cost to people.

Heather Gate (15:20):

Yep.

Jessica Denson (15:21):

So is the digital literacy and learning program Yes. Explain how that's different than the

Heather Gate (15:24):

Others. Yes. So the Digital Skills Workshop program is Connected Nation actually sends trainers to communities to provide digital skills training. Not only that, but empower that organization to continue the training after we're gone. So we give them access to the curriculum and whatnot. 

Now the, the, the wonderful thing about that program is it's taking us in spaces you would never think we would go. We're in rehabilitation centers, we're going to senior centers, we're going to different organizations that you couldn't imagine ever being in the digital space. 

We're meeting people where they are. And so I think that's, I I love that about the program. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, you know, we're going rehabilitation, giving people hope. And I think the other thing about our workshops, our goal is never to leave people tech as tech nerds. Right?

Jessica Denson (16:19):

Yeah.

Heather Gate (16:19):

Our goal is to build confidence and curiosity. And that's the most important thing because the people that are not participating this day and age, a lot of times are embarrassed because they don't have the skills and they like the confidence.

Jessica Denson (16:34):

Mm-hmm <affirmative>. You know, I wanna say, I wanna give you props because mm-hmm <affirmative>. Um, as I mentioned, we've worked together about eight years and in a very tech heavy area, you really do see the humanity. When I see you talk, when you were at the cd, D-C-C-E-D-C <laugh>. Yeah. CD the FCC committee when you chaired it mm-hmm <affirmative>. 

Um, uh, when you talk with other groups, when you do interviews, when you talk with me, when you pitching to at and t when you're doing that, you always talk about the human element and the impact of that and what it really means to a person. Right. Not just the other pieces, although we talk about the numbers and that kind of thing, but you always bring it back down to it's changing that person's life for the better. 

Exactly. It's helping them grow, it's helping them have confidence believe in themselves. And I just think that that is makes our mission so much more important. Exactly. It gives so much value to it. Yeah,

Heather Gate (17:26):

Exactly. And I thank you so much for that compliment, <laugh>, and I mean, I have not met a person who gives more than you do too. So I appreciate you, you are very

Jessica Denson (17:39):

Dedicated. We're so awesome, Heather. We always get to this point at some point in the interview, you don't

Heather Gate (17:44):

Get, you don't get enough props for your compassion and your desire to help. Thank you <laugh>, everybody. And sometimes I'm like, I can't help that person, Jessica, but you are out there trying to help everybody, so I appreciate that about you too. <laugh>. Thank you.

Jessica Denson (18:01):

Well, next year is our 25th anniversary for Connected Nation. Yes. And Heather has one of the coolest ideas I've ever been pitched to Ex to celebrate our anniversary. We're not gonna tell you what it is quite yet, but it is going to be something that the world will watch

Heather Gate (18:21):

Worldwide.

Jessica Denson (18:22):

Yeah. That's gonna take place globally. It's gonna be something the world will literally watch us do. Yes.

Heather Gate (18:28):

Yes.

Jessica Denson (18:29):

And I promise you guys, it's gonna be super exciting. I can't wait till we finally like got our final plans in and our date on, and I can talk about it. I'm super excited. It's gonna be an opportunity for people to, to donate and help us make it happen. It's gonna be an opportunity to expand our ideas of digital empowerment and really think outside the box. Yes. I'm so excited.

Heather Gate (18:54):

<laugh> very excited. Yeah. I'm, I'm excited about just the fact that everyone is welcome to participate

Jessica Denson (19:01):

Uhhuh

Heather Gate (19:01):

Again. Let, let's just put that out there. I hope that you stay tuned and join us in this very important, um, event. Yes. It's gonna be very

Jessica Denson (19:12):

Important. We'll be unveiling it very soon in, in the next few months. And I'm just, I'm excited. It's, I like fun

Heather Gate (19:18):

Too.

Jessica Denson (19:18):

Oh, it's gonna be super fun.

Heather Gate (19:20):

Yeah.

Jessica Denson (19:20):

And super challenging and super cool. And just it's, I couldn't believe it when you had the idea. I was like, that is amazing. Let's do it <laugh>. So anyway, I just wanted people to get excited. I can't wait to talk about it. So this is me not not talking about it. <laugh>. Yeah. Yeah.

Heather Gate (19:35):

Can I tell you how when I said it, I was like, okay. And then I went and then everybody was like on board and I went into full panic. Oh,

Jessica Denson (19:44):

You're like, oh, now, now we gotta do this.

Heather Gate (19:45):

And then I came back and I'm like, oh my God, this is cool. And the first two people that I told out within Connected Nation first when they heard, they were like, oh my gosh. Then they saw

Jessica Denson (19:58):

How it could be.

Heather Gate (19:59):

They, they were like, this is cool.

Jessica Denson (20:01):

It's gonna be

Heather Gate (20:02):

Cool. And one of them was a tough, tough audience. One of them was. And she was like, this is cool.

Jessica Denson (20:08):

Awesome.

Heather Gate (20:09):

Yeah.

Jessica Denson (20:10):

So it's gonna be

Heather Gate (20:10):

Good. I think it's gonna be good.

Jessica Denson (20:11):

It's gonna be good. So that's all we're gonna say. I just wanted Heather to give a little teaser 'cause I'm like hopping excited about this <laugh> and I can't wait to announce it to you guys. You guys are gonna be like, wanna be involved. I feel like it's gonna be great. Yeah. 'cause it's gonna be, you can be part of something that is going to make history.

Heather Gate (20:26):

Yeah.

Jessica Denson (20:26):

Let's just say that. Anyway. Well, Heather, what's up next for you? Besides our 25th anniversary coming? What are you excited about?

Heather Gate (20:33):

Well, I'm excited about, I'm excited about creating new partnerships. 'cause that's, that always keeps me going.

Jessica Denson (20:40):

Yeah.

Heather Gate (20:41):

I'm excited about this AI part A uh, the direction we're going on in with our AI literacy. 'cause we're still piloting. So I'm excited to release the results of our pilot

Jessica Denson (20:52):

Uhhuh

Heather Gate (20:52):

And then talk about our steps forward. It's a, it's, um, you know, sometimes change can be difficult, but for me, change is also very inspirational. 'cause the best ideas come out of those times when things are changing. Yeah. So I'm excited about what the next phase of our digital skills training and our, our, our work looks like. Me too. So I'm excited and I'm very excited about the event.

Jessica Denson (21:19):

I know, it's exciting. We're, there's, that's the key word today. Excitement. So I will include a link for the, um, AI resource, literary literacy, resource hub, TCS Tech, all of those things. So you guys go look at 'em. You could bring 'em to your community free of charge. It doesn't cost you anything. 

And in fact it can benefit the organization 'cause the organizations can earn money. Mm-hmm <affirmative>. So, uh, for the DTC check program. So check 'em out, share 'em with others. And Heather Gate, always a pleasure. Executive vice president of Digital and Transformation for Connected Nation. I really appreciate you.

Heather Gate (21:54):

Thank you so much, Jessica. Thank,

Jessica Denson (21:56):

Thank you. We'll continue our coverage from the Broadband Nation Expo on future episodes of Connected Nation. Until then, I'm Jessica Sen and this is Connected Nation.