Caleb Hicks, Founder and CEO, SchoolAI

My career in education spans over 15 years, where I’ve served as both a classroom teacher and a leader in the field, including time working at Apple on educational products. To understand the foundation of SchoolAI, I believe it’s essential to know three key aspects of my journey.

First, as a teacher, I managed classrooms with up to 300 students, teaching computer science and teen entrepreneurship. With such large numbers, it became evident that while you can connect with the top 20 and the most challenged students, the remaining 80% often slip through the cracks. This realization was pivotal in shaping the development of SchoolAI, which aims to help teachers identify which students need their attention most urgently, especially those who might not typically speak up.

Second, my experience at Apple further deepened my understanding of the potential for personalized education. I ran a team focused on creating educational content for both K-12 and higher education. Here, I recognized how much value there is in making curriculum adaptable to students’ unique interests—whether it’s learning about supply and demand through the lens of a sneaker drop for a fashion enthusiast or through running a comic book shop for a superhero fan.

Third, I co-founded an online school for computer science where we were able to monitor students’ progress closely, ensuring we had a complete picture of who needed help, when, and why. The insights we gathered at that school were foundational in our approach to SchoolAI, which provides real-time feedback to educators about each student’s performance, emotional well-being, and engagement with the content.

At SchoolAI, we started with a personalized learning platform that allows teachers to offer curated, safe AI-driven experiences for students. For example, students learning about the Civil War might interact with a simulated interview with Abraham Lincoln, followed by a creative task, like writing a script for a YouTube video about the Gettysburg Address. This approach brings history to life and connects it to each student’s personal interests. Today, we have over 100,000 activities designed to engage students in deep, personalized learning experiences.

The key to success has been recognizing that every school and teacher goes through a progression in their relationship with technology, particularly AI. Initially, there was significant resistance—schools were banning AI. But as the reality set in that both students and teachers were already using AI, the conversation shifted. AI is now seen as a core skill, much like learning how to use a calculator. It’s not about eliminating critical thinking or social interaction, but about helping students adapt to a world where AI is an essential tool.

The next stage in AI adoption is about improving teacher productivity. Teachers are overwhelmed by administrative duties such as lesson planning, assessments, and managing special education schedules. AI can alleviate some of this burden, enabling teachers to focus more on individual student needs.

Beyond this, we are working toward a future where every student has their own AI assistant—an educational sidekick—available both in the classroom and at home. This AI would understand each student’s learning style, interests, and progress, providing personalized support while working seamlessly with the teacher’s curriculum and goals.

Education has become highly competitive, particularly as students vie for limited spots in advanced courses, top colleges, and, ultimately, the best jobs. In this landscape, AI plays a pivotal role in leveling the playing field.

A story that illustrates this is about a high school student who used ChatGPT to write scholarship essays. Within six weeks, he won $20,000 in scholarships. There’s debate over whether this is cheating, but the reality is that AI is a tool, much like a calculator. It enables students to be more efficient, and that efficiency can directly impact their opportunities.

From a broader perspective, AI holds the potential to close the equity gap that exists between schools. Many students are currently disadvantaged simply due to the socioeconomic status tied to their school district. AI’s ability to provide personalized, accessible learning could help bridge that divide.

Furthermore, SchoolAI fosters collaboration between teachers through professional learning communities. By sharing data and best practices, teachers can continually refine their methods, leading to improved outcomes across schools and districts.

Absolutely, let me share two stories that highlight how SchoolAI is being used in meaningful ways. One comes from a school we started working with last year, where students speak 24 different languages. The principal saw the potential for creating an AI sidekick for each student, tailored to their specific language. I met one of these students, a refugee from Afghanistan, who spoke Dari. He told me that when he first arrived, the teachers were enthusiastic to help him, but after repeatedly asking questions, he could sense their patience wearing thin. However, when he started using the AI sidekick, which could communicate with him in Dari, he could ask questions without hesitation. The AI was infinitely patient, and as a result, his relationship with his teachers and classmates improved significantly. He even began using the AI to engage with peers during lunch, asking about soccer players in a way that helped him connect socially. This was an experience that wouldn’t have been possible without the AI’s support, especially since the school couldn’t provide a tutor or aide who spoke Dari.

Another story comes from a teacher we met at a conference in Michigan. She shared that she had a student who was always quiet and kept to herself in class, wearing a hoodie and headphones. However, the teacher noticed she was a talented creative writer. When the teacher launched a pulse check at the end of the week, asking about her weekend plans, the student revealed she felt unsafe going home. The teacher was able to approach the student, express support, and offer help. This moment, made possible through the AI’s insight, allowed the teacher to intervene and make a real difference in the student’s life. These stories illustrate how SchoolAI can foster connections, provide critical support, and improve the overall learning experience.

The opportunity to transform the learning experience for every student is within reach. The personalization challenges in education today are daunting, particularly with large class sizes and a growing number of students with special needs or learning challenges. AI offers a solution by providing tailored support, helping teachers identify students who need the most attention, and enabling more meaningful engagement.

But the real power of AI lies not just in individual student progress, but in how it connects all the stakeholders in education—students, teachers, parents, and administrators. AI can break down barriers, improve communication, and create a more cohesive school experience. It allows for personalized learning at scale, enabling each student to engage in education that excites them while supporting teachers in delivering better outcomes.

AI has the potential to bring people together, whether by helping teachers collaborate more effectively, offering students the tools they need to succeed, or providing parents with deeper insights into their children’s education. This is a moment of great promise for the future of education, and we’re excited to be part of it.