In this episode, Owen and Libby chat about AI tutoring with guests, Ben Kornell, Managing Partner at Common Sense Growth Fund, and Alex Sarlin, a veteran in the edtech industry. Both co-founded Edtech Insiders, a leading newsletter and podcast covering the growing Edtech industry.

Ben and Alex differentiate between AI-powered search and true AI tutoring, and discuss trends like AI-enhanced human tutors, hybrid models, and fully autonomous AI bots. The conversation highlights the need for AI to integrate- and learn from traditional education in developing key elements, such as targeting the right zone of proximal development. Human tutors have the ability to sense motivation and frustration, helping students through the more challenging parts of learning. Emerging technologies are now using facial and physical cues to gauge engagement, proving valuable as nudges for AI tutors or human instructors to boost motivation or adjust level of content.

They also address ethical and political risks, such as biased responses and dependency issues. With exciting developments on the horizon, the episode explores the at times seemingly sci-fi-like future of AI tutoring!

Guest bios:

Ben Kornell - Ben is currently serving as the Managing Partner of Common Sense Growth Fund at Common Sense Media. Prior to that, they have worked as a School Board Member for the San Carlos School District and was the Co-Founder and Podcast Host of Edtech Insiders.

Alex Sarlin - Alex is a 15 year veteran of the Edtech industry, as a Product Manager and Learning Engineer at both large Edtech companies (2U, Scholastic, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative) and startups (Coursera, Skillshare, Credly, Knewton). He is currently a consultant and adviser to a number of Edtech companies in higher education and the future of work. He holds a Master's of Instructional Design from Columbia University, and is the founder of Edtech Insiders, a leading newsletter and podcast covering the growing Edtech industry.

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Credits: Sarah Myles for production support; Josie Hills for graphic design

42: Al Jacobs on JESUS' SON (1992) by Denis Johnson