How a 14 Year Old Student is Building with AI at Alpha School

I sat down with Ali Romman, a 14-year-old freshman at Alpha School in Austin who’s already using AI like a co-founder. He’s vibe coding an MVP in public and building an AI-powered tool that helps people design and buy the right gaming PC, even if they know nothing about computers.This conversation is a real look at what kids are facing right now: AI in schools, cheating vs learning, what guardrails actually work, and why the new “gap” isn’t access to tools, it’s curiosity, initiative, and how fast you can learn.Topics we cover:AI isn’t “coming”, it’s already in the classroom: what that actually looks like day-to-dayCheating vs learning: where Ali draws the line and why boundaries matterCollege and how AI is changing the value of traditional educationVibe coding a real MVP: how Ali’s building a PC configurator + chatbotBuilding in public at 14: confidence, pressure, and learning at startup speedFail fast mindset: getting beta testers and feedback instead of guessing foreverTools, Platforms, and References Mentioned:ChatGPT, Gemini 3 Pro, Claude 4.5 OpusAlpha School (https://alpha.school/)Cline (VS Code extension) (https://cline.bot/)Cursor“Fail Fast, Fail Often” (book) (https://www.amazon.com/Fail-Fast-Often-Losing-Help/dp/0399166254)Who this episode is for:Founders and builders who want a glimpse of what the next generation is actually doing with AIParents trying to navigate “should my kid use AI?” (spoiler: they already are)Educators and school leaders thinking about ethical AI policies and real guardrailsAnyone who needs proof that you don’t need permission, credentials, or a CS degree to build now Ready to cut through the AI overwhelm?Explore all my resources in one place → https://stan.store/BRXSTUDIO Free AI Guide • 45-Minute AI Audit • AI Community • How I AI Companion GPT Support your body against the invisible stress of EMFs with Leela Quantum Tech5% off with affiliate code: BROOKE If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show. Sharing it with a friend who’s AI-curious helps How I AI reach more people.How I AI is now The AI Movement Podcast.LinkedIn: Brooke GramerWebsite: TheAIMovementPodcast.comDisclaimer: This podcast is for general informational and educational purposes only, not legal, financial, medical, business, technical, or other professional advice. Guest views are their own. Information may change, and accuracy, safety, or results are not guaranteed. Verify information and consult a qualified professional before acting. To the fullest extent permitted by law, The AI Movement, Brooke Gramer, and EmpowerFlow Strategies LLC disclaim liability arising from reliance on this content.