The Role of AI in Motivating Young Learners

Recorded live at the 2025 ASU+GSV Summit in San Diego, this session featured David Yeager, Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and Kumar Garg, President at Renaissance Philanthropy.

The session explored how psychology deeply influences learning—often in ways that are not well understood. Despite good intentions, mentors, managers, and AI bots frequently miss the mark when it comes to motivating learners. David Yeager, a developmental psychologist, presented research highlights and case studies demonstrating how subtle changes in communication and feedback delivery can significantly enhance learner engagement, the quality of the learning experience, and even long-term outcomes. The session showcased applications of his findings by organizations including Google and Reach portfolio companies Mainstay, Polygence, and TeachFX. It was particularly relevant for companies aiming to scale high-quality teaching or coaching and to deliver impactful AI-generated feedback. As an added bonus, these insights may also help individuals become better managers and parents.