Goodnotes COO Minh Tran: Schools That Ignore AI Will Fall Behind

How will AI affect education? Minh Tran has a lot to say about the future of learning in the age of large language models (LLMs) and generative AI. As the COO of GoodNotes—one of the world’s leading AI-powered note-taking apps—he’s at the forefront of how AI is changing the education system. For Minh, the future of learning is already here: “We need to rethink WHAT we teach, not just HOW we teach,” he says.Before working in edtech, Minh was the Executive Director at Education First, the global learning company. He also founded Bloom Academy in Hong Kong, literally building a K–12 school FROM SCRATCH during COVID. With experience in both traditional and startup education organizations, Minh shares why AI-first schools are better positioned to thrive, while schools that don’t adapt to AI will fall behind.Some key takeaways:– How Minh started a school from scratch during the pandemic– What today’s students *actually* need to learn in an AI-first world– Why most schools are failing to adapt to ChatGPT and generative AI tools– How Goodnotes became a tech unicorn through remote-first culture– How Goodnotes is winning the tech talent war through flexible work arrangements– The importance of mentorship– How to find a mentor– Why AI experimentation, curiosity, and play are key to raising future-ready kids– How to pivot from education to tech (and how others can break into tech from different industries)– What Gen Z can offer senior leaders at the workplaceWe also dive into Minh’s advice for young people chasing unconventional careers and the secret to building a career with impact. He emphasizes this: put in the hours, and if you’re privileged enough to follow your passion, just do it.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, builders, and leaders.