The AI Tutor Flopped, So They Built the AI University

Khan Academy's AI tutor Khanmigo quietly flopped — students didn't use it, teachers walked away, and Khan Academy's own chief learning officer admitted she isn't seeing the revolution she was promised. So instead of fixing the tutor, Khan Academy, TED and ETS announced a new institution: the Khan TED Institute, a sub-$10,000 AI-era degree shaped with corporate partners including Google, Microsoft and McKinsey — and not a single university. Dale Leszczynski and Nick McIntosh work through what it means when the companies selling AI tools also build the credentials that certify them, why student resistance to imposed AI is rational rather than technophobic, and what a healthier alternative actually looks like in practice.[00:00] — The clinical trials analogy[02:30] — Steelmanning the skills gap [05:20] — Who's at the founding table [06:00] — The South Korea precedent [07:41] — Enclosure, not disruption [10:03] — The always-on chatbot [11:30] — Why students push back [15:40] — Who steers the technology [20:05] — The broken career ladder [24:35] — Why universities can't leave🎙️ Adjunct Intelligence is the weekly briefing for higher-ed professionals who want AI as a cheat code—not a headache.Every episode:• Real tests of AI tools in education and professional workflows• Fast, Monday-morning actions you can actually try• Clear signal through the noise (no hype, no jargon)👉 Subscribe on [YouTube] | [Apple Podcasts] | [Spotify]👉 Share this with a colleague who still says “I’ll figure AI out later”👉 Join the conversation on LinkedIn with #AdjunctIntelligenceStay curious. Stay intelligent. Stay the human in the loop.