Bill Gates' AI Education Frontiers: A Glimpse into the Future of the Classroom
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Key Contents
Bill Gates visits New Jersey elementary school experimenting with AI-powered education
Introducing creative AI use cases for teachers
Mention the current limitations and need for improvement of AI education tools
AI is expected to be a game changer in education
Emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all students benefit from AI education
A Glimpse into the Future: From World Expos to AI Classrooms
When I was a kid, my parents took me to the Seattle World's Fair. It was amazing to see all this amazing technology that seemed like something straight out of a science fiction novel. I remember begging to go back several times during the six-month run of the fair, and every time I left the fair I felt like I had caught a glimpse of the future.
That feeling came back to me recently as I walked out of a classroom in Newark, New Jersey.
In May, I had the opportunity to visit First Avenue Elementary School, which is pioneering AI in the classroom. The Newark school district was piloting Khanmigo, an AI-based tutor and teacher support tool, and I was eager to see it for myself.
I’ve written a lot about Kanmigo on this blog. It’s developed by Khan Academy, a great partner of the Gates Foundation. And I think Khan Academy founder Sal Khan is visionary in using the power of technology to help kids learn. (You can read my review of his new book, Brave New Words, here.)
We’re still in the early days of using AI in the classroom, but what we saw in Newark showed the incredible potential of this technology.
Creative classes with AI
I’m impressed by how creatively teachers are using the tool. Leticia Colon, an eighth-grade algebra teacher, explained how she used AI to create problem sets about local heroes that her students would be interested in. In February, she worked with Kanmigo to create equations that included the workout routine of Newark boxer Shakur Stevenson, allowing students to practice their math skills while learning about a real-world role model.
Cheryl Drakeford, a third-grade math and science teacher, talked about how she uses Kanmigo to create rubrics and lesson introductions for assignments. The technology gives her a draft, which she then adapts to fit her students. For example, the AI once suggested a generic story about a fruit stand, which she modified to include Pokémon cards and Roblox, which her students are passionate about. “Kanmigo gives me the blueprint, but I have to deliver it,” she said.
Several teachers I met showed me how they could access each student’s dashboard to see a summary of their progress in a particular subject. They loved how it saved them a lot of time by being able to track their students’ progress quickly and easily. They were also excited about their students using Kanmigo as their personal tutor.
The Present and Future of AI Education
The technology is far from perfect. The students I spoke with generally liked using Kanmigo, but they struggled with pronouncing Hispanic names and complained that the only voice option was male. This clearly shows how much thought needs to be put into making the technology inclusive and engaging for all students. In an ideal world, the AI would know what students in Ms. Drakeford’s class were interested in, so she wouldn’t have to edit. And Ms. Colon said it took her several tries to get what she wanted.
In other words, the visit to Newark showed us where AI in the classroom is starting, but it’s still unclear how far the technology will ultimately go. It reinforced my belief that AI will be a complete game changer for both teachers and students as the technology matures. Even today, First Avenue teachers can delegate routine tasks to AI assistants, freeing up their time for what matters most: connecting with students, inspiring curiosity, and making sure every child feels cared for and supported, especially those who need a little extra help.
AI Education for Everyone
Kanmigo is just one of many AI-based educational tools in development, and the Gates Foundation is focused on ensuring that these tools reach and support all students, not just a select few. Our goal is to help provide equitable opportunities, not widen existing gaps. We’re currently working with educators across the country to get feedback and improve the technology to better meet their needs. My visit to Newark is part of this process. It’s been a fascinating experience to see what teachers are excited about and see how diverse students interact with AI.
The educators I met in Newark are true pioneers. Some are always on the cutting edge of finding new ways to use AI in the classroom, while others are more limited. I was impressed by how the school supports each teacher’s level of technology use. They put a lot of thought into change management, making sure no educator is forced to try things that won’t work in their classroom.
After all, teachers know best. If you give them the right tools, they will always find ways to support their students. My visit to Newark has further strengthened my conviction that AI can help teachers do what they do best, freeing them to focus on what matters most.
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