Standard Deviation Podcast Protect your critical thinking - Live at Analytics Summit
Dec 10, 2025
The discussion kicks off with a humorous tale about a shredded toy catalog that leads to reflections on digital experiences. Simo and Juliana explore the evolving role of educators in a world where large language models can teach technical skills. They debate the relevance of foundational programming knowledge amidst rising AI tools. The hosts also discuss the risks of over-reliance on AI, particularly in critical thinking and privacy concerns. Meanwhile, they share insights on using AI for practical development tasks and teaching children about technology.
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Toy Catalog Catastrophe Solved
- Simo describes waking at 3:30 AM, flying, and finding his son's toy catalog shredded by the dog.
- His wife reconstructed the pages and discovered the torn catalog was actually the 2025 edition, averting the crisis.
Curated Courses Still Matter
- Simo questions the role of educators when LLMs can teach technical skills and produce step-by-step solutions.
- He sees curated, fundamentals-first courses still providing value beyond on-demand AI answers.
Learn Fundamentals Before Using AI
- Juliana warns beginners to learn fundamentals like Excel, basic stats and algebra before relying on AI.
- She advises solid foundations so you can judge generated code and avoid breaking systems by 'vibe coding.'