

A.I. School Is in Session: Two Takes on the Future of Education
947 snips Sep 5, 2025
In this engaging discussion, MacKenzie Price, co-founder of Alpha Schools, shares insights on how her innovative K-12 network uses AI for personalized learning, allowing teachers to motivate rather than lecture. Historian D. Graham Burnett from Princeton University weighs in on the existential risks AI poses to traditional humanities degrees and anticipates the rise of new educational models outside traditional universities. Together, they explore the future of learning amidst technological advancements, addressing both opportunities and challenges.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Two-Hour Core, Full-Day Development
- Alpha Schools compress core academics into two focused hours using personalized, AI-driven lessons and Pomodoro pacing.
- Afternoons are dedicated to collaborative life-skills workshops led by guides who focus on motivation and social learning.
Use Pomodoro For Efficient Learning
- Use short focused blocks (Pomodoro) to maximize learning efficiency and reduce wasted time in class.
- Pair AI-personalized lessons with human-led motivation and project work to sustain engagement.
Personalization Meets Interest Graphs
- Alpha uses AI to assess knowledge gaps and generate individualized lesson plans tied to standards and AP curricula.
- They also overlay a student's interest graph to make content personally relevant and motivating.