Why AI Will Never Replace a Great Teacher | Matt Wu | TED

We're living in the most remarkable We're living in the most remarkable moment in the history of education. moment in the history of education. moment in the history of education. AI can now tutor you in calculus. It can AI can now tutor you in calculus. It can AI can now tutor you in calculus. It can write you a semester-long study plan. write you a semester-long study plan. write you a semester-long study plan. I even had one of our students tell me I even had one of our students tell me I even had one of our students tell me that they instructed their AI to teach that they instructed their AI to teach that they instructed their AI to teach computer science the way Gordon Ramsay computer science the way Gordon Ramsay computer science the way Gordon Ramsay runs Kitchen Nightmares. AI is seriously changing the education AI is seriously changing the education game. game. game. It's making knowledge more accessible, It's making knowledge more accessible, It's making knowledge more accessible, more personalized, and more intuitive more personalized, and more intuitive more personalized, and more intuitive than we ever thought possible. than we ever thought possible. than we ever thought possible. But ask any student what has changed But ask any student what has changed But ask any student what has changed their life the most, and they won't tell their life the most, and they won't tell their life the most, and they won't tell you about a technology. you about a technology. you about a technology. They'll tell you about a person. They'll tell you about a person. They'll tell you about a person. A teacher who believed in them before A teacher who believed in them before A teacher who believed in them before they believed in themselves. they believed in themselves. they believed in themselves. A friend who kept showing up even when A friend who kept showing up even when A friend who kept showing up even when things got hard. things got hard. things got hard. A mentor who saw their potential before A mentor who saw their potential before A mentor who saw their potential before they could see it themselves. We're investing billions into making We're investing billions into making sure we put the very best AI tools onto sure we put the very best AI tools onto sure we put the very best AI tools onto every screen on the planet.

every screen on the planet. every screen on the planet. But with all this technology at our But with all this technology at our But with all this technology at our fingertips, fingertips, fingertips, why aren't we investing just as urgently why aren't we investing just as urgently why aren't we investing just as urgently into making sure every student can into making sure every student can into making sure every student can connect with the people who will change connect with the people who will change connect with the people who will change their life? >> I've been grappling with this question >> I've been grappling with this question quite a bit over the last 4 years while quite a bit over the last 4 years while quite a bit over the last 4 years while working on something called peer working on something called peer working on something called peer tutoring. tutoring. tutoring. It's a simple concept, students teaching It's a simple concept, students teaching It's a simple concept, students teaching other students. other students. other students. Imagine any classroom that you've ever Imagine any classroom that you've ever Imagine any classroom that you've ever been in, right? 20 students all learning been in, right? 20 students all learning been in, right? 20 students all learning the same thing. the same thing. the same thing. A concept might click for one student, A concept might click for one student, A concept might click for one student, but trip up another. but trip up another. but trip up another. Now if you match those two students, Now if you match those two students, Now if you match those two students, something beautiful happens. something beautiful happens. something beautiful happens. One tutors the other. One tutors the other. One tutors the other. The tutor builds confidence and The tutor builds confidence and The tutor builds confidence and reinforces their own learning. reinforces their own learning. reinforces their own learning. The learner gets personalized support The learner gets personalized support The learner gets personalized support from someone who just figured it out from someone who just figured it out from someone who just figured it out themselves. themselves. themselves. This peer-tutoring concept is the This peer-tutoring concept is the This peer-tutoring concept is the foundation of Schoolhouse, the nonprofit foundation of Schoolhouse, the nonprofit foundation of Schoolhouse, the nonprofit I lead that connects high school I lead that connects high school I lead that connects high school students around the world for peer students around the world for peer students around the world for peer tutoring over Zoom.

tutoring over Zoom. tutoring over Zoom. Today, nearly 200,000 students have Today, nearly 200,000 students have Today, nearly 200,000 students have received tutoring from 30,000 incredible received tutoring from 30,000 incredible received tutoring from 30,000 incredible volunteer tutors, adding up to over 100 volunteer tutors, adding up to over 100 volunteer tutors, adding up to over 100 million minutes of learning all million minutes of learning all million minutes of learning all completely for free. >> And so as AI reshapes this world around >> And so as AI reshapes this world around us, I believe that our need for the us, I believe that our need for the us, I believe that our need for the genuine human connection has never genuine human connection has never genuine human connection has never mattered more. mattered more. mattered more. And I've seen proof in the most And I've seen proof in the most And I've seen proof in the most unexpected places that we can build it, unexpected places that we can build it, unexpected places that we can build it, scale it, and change lives with it. This man lost his father when he was in This man lost his father when he was in high school and dropped out to support high school and dropped out to support high school and dropped out to support his family. his family. his family. His name is Carl, and for his entire His name is Carl, and for his entire His name is Carl, and for his entire adult life, he hid the fact that he had adult life, he hid the fact that he had adult life, he hid the fact that he had never graduated. never graduated. never graduated. Until at 52, when he decided to go back Until at 52, when he decided to go back Until at 52, when he decided to go back for his high school diploma. for his high school diploma. for his high school diploma. But Carl needed help. But Carl needed help. But Carl needed help. Algebra terrified him, and so he looked Algebra terrified him, and so he looked Algebra terrified him, and so he looked to Schoolhouse for a tutor.

Across the country, Across the country, Sachin, a 14-year-old in the Bay Area, Sachin, a 14-year-old in the Bay Area, Sachin, a 14-year-old in the Bay Area, signed up for Schoolhouse to help out signed up for Schoolhouse to help out signed up for Schoolhouse to help out other kids his age. other kids his age. other kids his age. He certainly wasn't expecting Carl, who He certainly wasn't expecting Carl, who He certainly wasn't expecting Carl, who is noticeably not his age, in his first is noticeably not his age, in his first is noticeably not his age, in his first tutoring session. tutoring session. tutoring session. But he quickly realized that Carl was But he quickly realized that Carl was But he quickly realized that Carl was someone he could help. someone he could help. someone he could help. Every Sunday for over a year, they Every Sunday for over a year, they Every Sunday for over a year, they showed up for tutoring. showed up for tutoring. showed up for tutoring. An adult learner in Mississippi, a An adult learner in Mississippi, a An adult learner in Mississippi, a teenager in California. teenager in California. teenager in California. And yeah, Carl was learning algebra, but And yeah, Carl was learning algebra, but And yeah, Carl was learning algebra, but more importantly, more importantly, more importantly, he was learning to believe in himself he was learning to believe in himself he was learning to believe in himself again. again. again. Here they are, just one week before Here they are, just one week before Here they are, just one week before Carl's exam. Carl's exam. Carl's exam. >> That's P multiplied by two, right? >> That's P multiplied by two, right? >> That's P multiplied by two, right? >> Yeah. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's P >> Yeah. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's P >> Yeah. No, no, no, no, no, no. It's P divided by two. divided by two. divided by two. >> All right, well, let's see. There you >> All right, well, let's see. There you >> All right, well, let's see. There you go, Nick Carl. Nice job. go, Nick Carl. Nice job. go, Nick Carl. Nice job. >> All right, then. Sex. Thank you. >> All right, then. Sex. Thank you. >> All right, then. Sex. Thank you. >> How are you feeling? How do you think >> How are you feeling? How do you think >> How are you feeling? How do you think you're going to do on the real test? you're going to do on the real test? you're going to do on the real test? >> My confidence begin to kick in. I can't >> My confidence begin to kick in. I can't >> My confidence begin to kick in. I can't get weak in the algebra now.

>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> [applause] >> [applause] >> [applause] >> They're awesome. Carl took his exam Carl took his exam and he scored highest in algebra, the and he scored highest in algebra, the and he scored highest in algebra, the subject that once terrified him. That's nice. That's nice. Here's what sticks with me about that Here's what sticks with me about that Here's what sticks with me about that story, though. story, though. story, though. Carl was 14 when he dropped out, the Carl was 14 when he dropped out, the Carl was 14 when he dropped out, the exact same age as Sachin. exact same age as Sachin. exact same age as Sachin. If Carl had had a Sachin when he was 14, If Carl had had a Sachin when he was 14, If Carl had had a Sachin when he was 14, we could be looking at a very different we could be looking at a very different we could be looking at a very different life trajectory. life trajectory. life trajectory. We talk a lot about making sure students We talk a lot about making sure students We talk a lot about making sure students can get access to the right tools and can get access to the right tools and can get access to the right tools and the right technology, but we also need the right technology, but we also need the right technology, but we also need to make sure that every student can to make sure that every student can to make sure that every student can access a Sachin. access a Sachin. access a Sachin. Someone who can provide the connection Someone who can provide the connection Someone who can provide the connection and motivation that only another human and motivation that only another human and motivation that only another human can. Along the way, we discovered something Along the way, we discovered something else. else. else. We saw that this peer tutoring wasn't We saw that this peer tutoring wasn't We saw that this peer tutoring wasn't just teaching students how to learn just teaching students how to learn just teaching students how to learn concepts. It was also teaching them how concepts. It was also teaching them how concepts. It was also teaching them how to better understand one another. to better understand one another. to better understand one another. This realization led us to create a new This realization led us to create a new This realization led us to create a new program called Dialogues, where we would program called Dialogues, where we would program called Dialogues, where we would pair students who had different pair students who had different pair students who had different perspectives on often complex or perspectives on often complex or perspectives on often complex or controversial issues like immigration or controversial issues like immigration or controversial issues like immigration or gun control or abortion.

gun control or abortion. gun control or abortion. There was no moderator, no scripts, just There was no moderator, no scripts, just There was no moderator, no scripts, just two students talking over Zoom. two students talking over Zoom. two students talking over Zoom. And I'll be honest, I was kind of And I'll be honest, I was kind of And I'll be honest, I was kind of skeptical at first. skeptical at first. skeptical at first. For example, we were going to be pairing For example, we were going to be pairing For example, we were going to be pairing Joseph in China with Brian in America to Joseph in China with Brian in America to Joseph in China with Brian in America to discuss free speech versus hate speech. discuss free speech versus hate speech. discuss free speech versus hate speech. Like, what could possibly go wrong? Like, what could possibly go wrong? Like, what could possibly go wrong? But luckily, were able to get permission But luckily, were able to get permission But luckily, were able to get permission to share a few highlights from these to share a few highlights from these to share a few highlights from these conversations. Let's take a look. conversations. Let's take a look. conversations. Let's take a look. >> In China, free speech is not something >> In China, free speech is not something >> In China, free speech is not something that people participated with. that people participated with. that people participated with. >> I think if the politician does use hate >> I think if the politician does use hate >> I think if the politician does use hate speech, speech, speech, then I'll show it at the voting booth. then I'll show it at the voting booth. then I'll show it at the voting booth. >> I learned a lot today. I I've had to >> I learned a lot today. I I've had to >> I learned a lot today. I I've had to consider things I never would have consider things I never would have consider things I never would have otherwise considered. otherwise considered. otherwise considered. >> Friends know I don't talk about >> Friends know I don't talk about >> Friends know I don't talk about politics. I think like humility is so politics. I think like humility is so politics. I think like humility is so important when coming into these issues. important when coming into these issues. important when coming into these issues. >> I may be wrong, you know, >> I may be wrong, you know, >> I may be wrong, you know, I need to do my research. I need to do my research. I need to do my research. >> I was I was born in India. There it's a >> I was I was born in India. There it's a >> I was I was born in India. There it's a very like very rough income inequality. very like very rough income inequality. very like very rough income inequality. How would they feel like saying some of How would they feel like saying some of How would they feel like saying some of their equity from the business they their equity from the business they their equity from the business they built up just has to be taxed away to built up just has to be taxed away to built up just has to be taxed away to some person they barely know.

some person they barely know. some person they barely know. >> And I think I've generally changed my >> And I think I've generally changed my >> And I think I've generally changed my mind. mind. mind. >> This is such a wonderful conversation. >> This is such a wonderful conversation. >> This is such a wonderful conversation. You you kept bringing in like your You you kept bringing in like your You you kept bringing in like your science nerd knowledge. >> It's striking to me just how genuine >> It's striking to me just how genuine these conversations are. these conversations are. these conversations are. Students show up with passion and Students show up with passion and Students show up with passion and conviction, conviction, conviction, and then they do the thing that many and then they do the thing that many and then they do the thing that many adults are starting to forget how to do. adults are starting to forget how to do. adults are starting to forget how to do. They listen. They listen. They listen. Brian said it perfectly. Brian said it perfectly. Brian said it perfectly. He had to consider what he's otherwise He had to consider what he's otherwise He had to consider what he's otherwise never had to consider. never had to consider. never had to consider. That is what makes education human, That is what makes education human, That is what makes education human, not just the transfer of knowledge, but not just the transfer of knowledge, but not just the transfer of knowledge, but the ability to understand others and use the ability to understand others and use the ability to understand others and use that to shape your own perspective. that to shape your own perspective. that to shape your own perspective. It can only happen when there's another It can only happen when there's another It can only happen when there's another human on the other end, and it's on us human on the other end, and it's on us human on the other end, and it's on us to make sure that every student can to make sure that every student can to make sure that every student can engage meaningfully with those who see engage meaningfully with those who see engage meaningfully with those who see the world differently. I've been able to see the impact of this I've been able to see the impact of this human connection, but often in contexts human connection, but often in contexts human connection, but often in contexts that were hard to scale.

that were hard to scale. that were hard to scale. In college, I tutored for a program In college, I tutored for a program In college, I tutored for a program called Amphibious Achievement, where we called Amphibious Achievement, where we called Amphibious Achievement, where we taught Boston public students how to row taught Boston public students how to row taught Boston public students how to row crew crew crew and prep for the SAT. and prep for the SAT. and prep for the SAT. That's what we were doing on the That's what we were doing on the That's what we were doing on the surface, but our main goal was actually surface, but our main goal was actually surface, but our main goal was actually to help every student build an to help every student build an to help every student build an unrelenting belief in themselves. unrelenting belief in themselves. unrelenting belief in themselves. And if you're wondering why belief, And if you're wondering why belief, And if you're wondering why belief, well, well, well, belief is in every student. belief is in every student. belief is in every student. It takes a lot of hard work to unlock, It takes a lot of hard work to unlock, It takes a lot of hard work to unlock, but once it's there, but once it's there, but once it's there, it can completely change what a student it can completely change what a student it can completely change what a student believes is attainable. believes is attainable. believes is attainable. And so I saw when my belief in a student And so I saw when my belief in a student And so I saw when my belief in a student would become their belief in themselves. would become their belief in themselves. would become their belief in themselves. I would see it take root, first as a I would see it take root, first as a I would see it take root, first as a rowing personal best, and then as a rowing personal best, and then as a rowing personal best, and then as a college acceptance letter, and soon you college acceptance letter, and soon you college acceptance letter, and soon you would see that student's entire would see that student's entire would see that student's entire personality come to life. personality come to life. personality come to life. But I also saw the limitations of this But I also saw the limitations of this But I also saw the limitations of this program model where program model where program model where there would be students that we want to there would be students that we want to there would be students that we want to help, but the proximity or the timing or help, but the proximity or the timing or help, but the proximity or the timing or the number of tutors just wasn't there.

But see, But see, that's what's so unique about this peer that's what's so unique about this peer that's what's so unique about this peer model. model. model. It can scale. It can scale. It can scale. Every phone or laptop becomes a portal Every phone or laptop becomes a portal Every phone or laptop becomes a portal to a trusted human. to a trusted human. to a trusted human. At a global level, students can learn At a global level, students can learn At a global level, students can learn around the clock. around the clock. around the clock. And we were surprised to discover that And we were surprised to discover that And we were surprised to discover that the solution to our tutor shortage was the solution to our tutor shortage was the solution to our tutor shortage was actually right in front of us in our actually right in front of us in our actually right in front of us in our very own learners. very own learners. very own learners. Right? Cuz once a student masters the Right? Cuz once a student masters the Right? Cuz once a student masters the material, they can go on and teach it to material, they can go on and teach it to material, they can go on and teach it to somebody else. somebody else. somebody else. And we're seeing that already with one And we're seeing that already with one And we're seeing that already with one in five of our tutors actually starting in five of our tutors actually starting in five of our tutors actually starting their Schoolhouse journey first as a their Schoolhouse journey first as a their Schoolhouse journey first as a learner. The most exciting part about all of this The most exciting part about all of this is that institutions are starting to see is that institutions are starting to see is that institutions are starting to see the value of peer tutoring, too. the value of peer tutoring, too. the value of peer tutoring, too. We had a student in rural Arkansas, We had a student in rural Arkansas, We had a student in rural Arkansas, first generation, looking for a way to first generation, looking for a way to first generation, looking for a way to explore his passion in teaching. explore his passion in teaching. explore his passion in teaching. He found Schoolhouse and he ran with it, He found Schoolhouse and he ran with it, He found Schoolhouse and he ran with it, tutoring over 150 sessions in algebra, tutoring over 150 sessions in algebra, tutoring over 150 sessions in algebra, precalc, the SAT, and he was precalc, the SAT, and he was precalc, the SAT, and he was consistently rated in the top 5% by his consistently rated in the top 5% by his consistently rated in the top 5% by his peers.

peers. peers. All of his contributions showed up on All of his contributions showed up on All of his contributions showed up on his Schoolhouse portfolio, which he his Schoolhouse portfolio, which he his Schoolhouse portfolio, which he submitted in college applications. submitted in college applications. submitted in college applications. Now, when admissions officers saw this, Now, when admissions officers saw this, Now, when admissions officers saw this, they didn't just see a letter grade. they didn't just see a letter grade. they didn't just see a letter grade. They saw proof of something deeper. They saw proof of something deeper. They saw proof of something deeper. That the student was adaptable. That the student was adaptable. That the student was adaptable. That he could help others in a way that That he could help others in a way that That he could help others in a way that was warm, and patient, and engaging. was warm, and patient, and engaging. was warm, and patient, and engaging. And that he had already solved real And that he had already solved real And that he had already solved real problems with students from 40 other problems with students from 40 other problems with students from 40 other countries. countries. countries. His name is Emmanuel. His name is Emmanuel. His name is Emmanuel. He's at the University of Chicago now, He's at the University of Chicago now, He's at the University of Chicago now, and he recently told me that he wants to and he recently told me that he wants to and he recently told me that he wants to build his own education startup to pay build his own education startup to pay build his own education startup to pay it forward. it forward. it forward. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> [applause] >> Everyone's talking about the skills that >> Everyone's talking about the skills that AI is going to replace. AI is going to replace. AI is going to replace. But the skills Emmanuel demonstrated, But the skills Emmanuel demonstrated, But the skills Emmanuel demonstrated, the ability to care, to collaborate, to the ability to care, to collaborate, to the ability to care, to collaborate, to communicate, these are deeply human communicate, these are deeply human communicate, these are deeply human skills. skills. skills. They've always been important, but in They've always been important, but in They've always been important, but in the age of AI, they are the skills of the age of AI, they are the skills of the age of AI, they are the skills of the future.

the future. the future. And this doesn't just end with college And this doesn't just end with college And this doesn't just end with college admissions. We're hearing the exact same admissions. We're hearing the exact same admissions. We're hearing the exact same thing from employers. thing from employers. thing from employers. The skills that they need most are the The skills that they need most are the The skills that they need most are the ones that you cannot automate. All of these stories are proof of what's All of these stories are proof of what's possible when the authentic human possible when the authentic human possible when the authentic human connection is made accessible to connection is made accessible to connection is made accessible to everyone. everyone. everyone. But every year, we graduate another But every year, we graduate another But every year, we graduate another class of students. class of students. class of students. And every year, AI gets exponentially And every year, AI gets exponentially And every year, AI gets exponentially more powerful. more powerful. more powerful. If the goal is to optimize productivity, If the goal is to optimize productivity, If the goal is to optimize productivity, then yeah, AI will win. then yeah, AI will win. then yeah, AI will win. But if we aspire to build a better But if we aspire to build a better But if we aspire to build a better society, society, society, then we must deliver the human then we must deliver the human then we must deliver the human connection, and develop the human skills connection, and develop the human skills connection, and develop the human skills that our young people are going to that our young people are going to that our young people are going to increasingly need. increasingly need. increasingly need. That is how we navigate the AI That is how we navigate the AI That is how we navigate the AI revolution in education. revolution in education. revolution in education. To create a more connected world, To create a more connected world, To create a more connected world, more capable students, and a more human more capable students, and a more human more capable students, and a more human future. future. future. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause]