Where AI Takes Attendance and Grades Papers
Algorithmic Educators Step In
A California high school is pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence in education with a radical transformation: using AI to teach core subjects. In a pilot program launched by Cobalt Robotics founder Travis Deyle and backed by Silicon Valley investors, Khan Lab School in Palo Alto has introduced AI-powered “teachers” into its classrooms. These AI agents are designed to lead lessons, field student questions, and provide real-time feedback across subjects like English, math, and science. Teachers are still on-site but act more as facilitators or “guides on the side,” creating a blended learning environment powered by sophisticated algorithms and human oversight.
From Blackboard to Botboard
The AI-driven classrooms are built on customized versions of ChatGPT and other advanced language models. They integrate tailored curriculum plans and learning analytics to track each student’s progress and adapt content dynamically. According to school leaders, students engage more actively thanks to the constant interaction and immediate responses the AI offers, mimicking a 1:1 tutor style. While the technology is stirring both interest and concern nationwide, proponents argue that it has the potential to narrow education gaps and personalize learning at scale, if deployed responsibly.
Big Tech’s Bet on the Future of Learning
Industry observers see this effort as part of a larger experiment merging edtech and artificial general intelligence. With investment and interest from major venture capital circles, Khan Lab School may serve as a prototype for AI-enhanced education nationwide. Skeptics warn about overdependence on machines and the risks of bias or inaccuracies in AI-generated content. Nonetheless, with funding and experimentation accelerating, the line between classroom and code is getting blurrier—and fast.
