MacKenzie Price on AI-Powered K-12 Schools

Gains in the quality of America’s K-12 education in the late 20th and early 21st century have largely plateaued—and , in several instances, reversed—in the last few decades. This week, Alpha School co-founder MacKenzie Price joins the show to discuss her fast-expanding network of AI-powered private schools, which she says represent the reform the system so badly needs. She explains why Alpha students learn core academics in two hours a day via a personalized learning platform—not human teachers—and then devote the rest of the school day to passion projects, life skills, and real-world learning. Plus, we hear from Alex, a high school senior at Alpha’s Austin, TX location, about his experience.

For more info on the podcast and transcripts of all the episodes, visit https://www.possible.fm/podcast/

Topics:

3:45 - Hellos and intros

4:12 – MacKenzie’s path from Stanford psychology to Alpha Schools

6:11 – Updating traditional school systems with AI

7:46 – What makes Alpha Schools different

12:01 – The 2-Hour Learning model

15:40 – Key lessons from AI in classrooms

18:11 – AI supercharges students with the “four C’s”: critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity

20:47 – Teacher-student connection and mentorship

21:54 – Scaling Alpha Schools & lowering costs

25:47 – AI-driven assessment & personalized learning plans

29:38 – Midroll

29:47 – Alex shares his experience as an Alpha School student and entrepreneur

34:19 – Challenges of scaling

36:09 – Student incentives & using Alpha currency to teach kids financial literacy

38:55 – Alpha students learn life skills & develop entrepreneurial projects

41:44 – GT School for highly accelerated learners

44:55 – “Future of Education” podcast highlights

47:16 – Teachers vs. guides & redefining expertise in education

49:21 – Using AI for public speaking & coaching

51:02 – Rapid fire questions

Select mentions:

Alpha School, AI-Driven Education Founded in Austin, Is Coming to More Cities — New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/27/us/politics/ai-alpha-school-austin-texas.html

Future of Education Podcast: https://futureofeducationpod.com/

Berry: https://berryplush.com/

Possible is an award-winning podcast that sketches out the brightest version of the future—and what it will take to get there. Most of all, it asks: what if, in the future, everything breaks humanity's way? Tune in for grounded and speculative takes on how technology—and, in particular, AI—is inspiring change and transforming the future. Hosted by Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger, each episode features an interview with an ambitious builder or deep thinker on a topic, from art to geopolitics and from healthcare to education. These conversations also showcase another kind of guest: AI. Each episode seeks to enhance and advance our discussion about what humanity could possibly get right if we leverage technology—and our collective effort—effectively.