Why AI Alone Won’t Fix Education—MacKenzie Price Explains the Missing Ingredient

Send us Fan MailMacKenzie Price is a Stanford grad, mom of two, and the Co-Founder of 2 Hour Learning - a revolutionary learning platform that harnesses the power of AI to give kids a 1:1 personalized learning experience. Her students excel in academics while spending most of their day learning life skills that set them up for future success. She founded the first Alpha School ten years ago in Austin, Texas and now has eight schools, with others opening in the fall.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why motivation is the missing key in EdTech.How AI enables personalized, mastery-based learning.The new role of teachers as motivational guides.How to build life skills alongside academics.What’s next for AI in education—and why it’s exciting.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:19] MacKenzie on Founding Alpha Schools to create a better model for her own children.[00:06:36] Why tech alone can’t drive student success without human connection.[00:12:54] How Alpha Schools deliver two hours of academics and a full day of life skills.[00:21:56] Teachers become motivational coaches, not just content experts.[00:28:11] The power of AI to connect learning with students’ passions.[00:38:05] Rethinking assessments: AI makes feedback immediate and actionable.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.