Mihir Iyer

I think no one should be surprised that AI is making kids dumb.So, what now? Do you ban AI for all school kids? Or do we evolve beyond what AI generates?Key PointsMIT Study: Your brain on AI* Study Setup: Three groups — ChatGPT users, search engine users, and unaided writers.* Neural Findings:* LLM users showed reduced brain connectivity and lower alpha/beta wave activity.* Brain-only users had stronger cognitive engagement.* Behavioral Impact:* LLM users felt less ownership of their work.* They struggled with recall and originality.* Long-Term Effects: Consistent underperformance over 4 months.AI for Scientific DiscoveriesSource: MIT CSAIL (2025)* AI is accelerating breakthroughs in physics, biology, and medicine.* Focus on high-efficiency, high-accuracy models.* Encourages derisking AI for broader adoption.Impacts on the workforce1. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang on AI as a Transformative Tool for Learning and Work* Source: MSN article (https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/nvidia-ceo-talks-about-ai-replacing-human-jobs-says-it-will-change-everyones-job/ar-AA1Gygq3) and Times of India (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-theres-a-new-programming-language-it-is-called/articleshow/121746887.cms)* Statements:* Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, asserts that AI will not lead to massive unemployment but will transform every job, including his own. He emphasizes that only about 30 million people globally (out of 8 billion) currently know how to use AI effectively, highlighting a significant skill gap.* At London Tech Week, Huang described AI as “the great equalizer” for the future of work, particularly in programming. He introduced the concept of a “human” programming language, where AI can be programmed through natural language interactions (e.g., speaking or drawing schematics) rather than traditional coding languages like C++. This makes AI accessible to non-technical users.* Huang advises users to “ask AI nicely” to unlock its potential, using an example of requesting an AI to write a poem, suggesting that intuitive interaction with AI can democratize access to technology.* Implications for the General Public:* Learning Opportunity: The shift to a “human” programming language lowers barriers to entry for learning AI, enabling people without formal coding skills to engage with and leverage AI tools. This could democratize education and skill acquisition, making technical knowledge more accessible.* Skill Development Urgency: The limited number of AI-proficient individuals (30 million) underscores the need for widespread AI education. The public must learn to interact with AI to remain competitive in the workforce, as those who master AI will have a significant advantage.* Educational Transformation: AI could facilitate personalized learning at scale, potentially through AI tutors, as Huang has suggested in other contexts (e.g., AI tutors redefining education).* Potential Risk: Without proactive learning, individuals risk being outpaced by those who adopt AI, as Huang warns, “You’re not going to lose your job to an AI, but you’re going to lose your job to someone who uses AI.”2. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s Concerns About AI’s Impact on Jobs* Source: MSN article (https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-anthropic-ceo-is-very-wrong-and-on-almost-everything-he-said-about-ai-don-t-do-it-in-a-dark-room-and-tell-me/ar-AA1GIkvf)* Statements:* Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, warns that AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs within five years, potentially driving US unemployment to 20%. He urges policymakers to prepare for significant economic disruption due to AI advancements in sectors like technology, finance, law, and consulting.* Amodei advocates for a national transparency standard for AI developers to ensure public and policymaker awareness of AI’s capabilities and risks.* Implications for the General Public:* Learning Challenge: Amodei’s dire predictions suggest that entry-level workers, who often rely on initial roles to gain experience and skills, may face significant barriers. This emphasizes the need for rapid upskilling in AI-related competencies to stay relevant.* Public Policy and Education: His call for transparency could lead to greater public access to information about AI’s capabilities, potentially fostering educational initiatives to prepare workers for AI-driven changes.* Economic Anxiety: The prediction of high unemployment could create fear among the public, particularly young professionals, pushing them to prioritize AI literacy to secure their career prospects.3. Jensen Huang’s Rebuttal of Amodei’s Predictions* Source: MSN article (https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-anthropic-ceo-is-very-wrong-and-on-almost-everything-he-said-about-ai-don-t-do-it-in-a-dark-room-and-tell-me/ar-AA1GIkvf)* Statements:* Huang strongly disagrees with Amodei, arguing that AI will not eliminate jobs but will transform them, creating new opportunities through increased productivity. He likens responsible AI development to medical research, advocating for transparency and collaboration over monopolistic control. Further, he criticizes Amodei’s view that AI is so dangerous and expensive that only a few should develop it, stating, “Don’t do it in a dark room and tell me it’s safe.”* Huang believes AI will enhance creativity and opportunity, suggesting that job obsolescence will be offset by new roles created by AI-driven productivity.* Implications for the General Public:* Optimistic Outlook for Learning: Huang’s perspective encourages the public to view AI as a tool for empowerment rather than a threat, promoting learning initiatives that focus on collaboration with AI.* Accessibility to AI Education: His emphasis on open AI development could lead to more accessible educational resources and tools, reducing the exclusivity of AI knowledge and enabling broader public participation.* Workforce Resilience: By framing AI as a job creator, Huang’s stance may reduce public anxiety and encourage proactive learning of AI skills to adapt to evolving job roles.4. Other Tech CEOs on AI’s Impact on Jobs and Learning* Source: Indian Express (https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-impact-jobs-what-nvidia-openai-linkedin-ceos-said-10068257/)* Statements:* Sam Altman (OpenAI CEO): Altman acknowledges that AI could lead to “whole classes of jobs going away” but believes humans are adaptable and will find new solutions. He sees AI, like ChatGPT, as a powerful tool that could enhance human capabilities, suggesting a future where robots perform physical tasks.* Ravi Kumar (Cognizant CEO): Kumar argues that AI will accelerate training for fresh graduates, lowering barriers to entry in industries like tech, consulting, and finance, creating “new-age professionals.”* Mark Cuban (Entrepreneur): Cuban advises young people to “read books and learn how to use AI in every way, shape, and form,” describing AI as a “living library” that can assist anyone, regardless of background.* Implications for the General Public:* Adaptability Through Learning: Altman’s view highlights the need for continuous learning to adapt to AI-driven changes, suggesting that educational systems should prioritize teaching AI interaction and problem-solving skills.* Upskilling Opportunities: Kumar’s perspective indicates that AI could streamline onboarding and training, making it easier for new entrants to learn and enter competitive fields. This could benefit young professionals and students entering the workforce.* Universal Access to Knowledge: Cuban’s metaphor of AI as a “living library” implies that AI can democratize learning, providing instant access to knowledge and skills for people of all backgrounds, potentially reducing educational disparities.* Proactive Skill Acquisition: The collective advice from these leaders underscores the urgency for the public to proactively learn AI skills to remain competitive, as those who fail to adapt may be outpaced by AI-savvy peers.5. Broader Context and Trends in AI’s Impact* Source: Various articles and X posts* Statements:* Huang has emphasized AI tutors as a future tool for personalized learning at scale, requiring high-quality data to be effective.* Posts on X reflect ongoing debates about AI’s job impact, with some users echoing Huang’s optimism about new job creation, while others express skepticism about the nature of these new roles.* The Indian Express notes that AI is already transforming roles like computer programming, marketing, and customer service, with workers increasingly using AI tools in their jobs.* Implications for the General Public:* Personalized Education: AI tutors could revolutionize learning by offering tailored educational experiences, potentially making high-quality education more accessible and affordable.* Public Discourse and Awareness: The debate on X highlights the need for public education about AI’s potential and risks, encouraging individuals to engage with AI tools to understand their capabilities.* Workforce Transformation: The integration of AI in roles like programming and customer service suggests that learning to use AI tools is becoming a core job requirement, necessitating widespread retraining and upskilling programs.Resourceshttps://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/nvidia-ceo-talks-about-ai-replacing-human-jobs-says-it-will-change-everyones-job/ar-AA1Gygq3?ocid=BingNewsVerphttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-theres-a-new-programming-language-it-is-called/amp_articleshow/121746887.cmshttps://www.msn.com/en-in/money/topstories/nvidia-ceo-jensen-huang-says-anthropic-ceo-is-very-wrong-and-on-almost-everything-he-said-about-ai-don-t-do-it-in-a-dark-room-and-tell-me/ar-AA1GIkvf?ocid=BingNewsVerphttps://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/ai-impact-jobs-what-nvidia-openai-linkedin-ceos-said-10068257/ Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Tuition classes are meant to guide. You are not intended to be dependent on them. How do you take control of your learning? This is where we introduce the concept of Learner Autonomy. Learner autonomy refers to the ability to control your learning journey, with customised learning goals and standards. Developing such heutagogy within learner and teacher circles is innovation at its finest.Check out the full video! Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

NEP 2020 is an exciting change in the education sphere within India. It promises a lot. It can deliver a lot. But how do learners, parents and teachers navigate these changes? Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Hi, and welcome to the Art of Learning! Let’s focus our attention today to what’s happening across the world, in the United States, because it is relevant to us as well.Almost a month ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order, directing the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education to whatever extent that lies in her power. Many people were scared. Many celebrated. But, confusion amasses quickly.This is why I wanted to address this today - to give you the right information regarding what’s happening and an idea as to what to look out for as a prospective student to the United States. Referenceshttps://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/statement-president-trumps-executive-order-return-power-over-education-states-and-local-communitieshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Department_of_Educationhttps://www.tennessean.com/story/news/education/2025/03/20/trump-department-of-education-order-tennessee-funds/82568024007/https://ground.news/article/trump-to-sign-executive-order-to-begin-dismantling-of-education-department_689236https://ground.news/article/trump-deported-238-venezuelans-to-el-salvador-dozens-have-active-asylum-cases_4ed673https://ground.news/article/deportations-hit-100-000-under-trump-the-new-york-posthttps://ground.news/article/private-groups-work-to-identify-and-report-student-protesters-for-possible-deportationhttps://ground.news/article/trump-administration-to-cancel-student-visas-of-pro-palestinian-protesters_2e20a5https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/13/politics/johns-hopkins-layoffs-usaid-funding/index.htmlhttps://apnews.com/article/college-federal-funding-trump-a236cc302fa773e5ddd91661f61593a9 Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

As the Board Exam season comes to a close, we look into how “difficult” the papers truly were, what this means for the upcoming batches, and how educators and learners can adjust to the upcoming changes.References* https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/SCHEME_BOARD_EXAMS_POLICY_25022025.pdf* https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/cbse-class-12-physics-exam-analysis-2025-students-reactions-question-paper-and-answer-key-1740119646-1* https://www.adda247.com/school/cbse-class-10-hindi-exam-analysis-2025/* https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/cbse-2025-class-10-social-science-paper-analysis-expert-calls-it-a-well-balanced-exam/articleshow/118562024.cms* https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-10-social-science-exam-analysis-2025* https://www.indiatimes.com/news/education/cbse-class-10th-social-science-analysis-2025-section-wise-questions-difficult-level-good-attempts-student-reactions-653427.html* https://www.business-standard.com/education/news/cbse-class-10-english-exam-analysis-2025-students-call-it-balanced-paper-nc-125021500812_1.html* https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/board-exams/cbse-board-exam-2025-live-updates-class-10-class-12-exams-guidelines-analysis-students-reactions-admit-card-february-15-101739587851069.html* https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/cbse-class-10-english-exam-analysis-2025-students-reactions-question-paper-and-answer-key-1739606668-1* https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-2025-board-exams-class-10-english-paper-analysis-section-wise-difficulty-level-9837542/* https://www.indiatimes.com/news/education/cbse-class-10th-science-exam-analysis-2025-section-wise-questions-difficult-level-good-attempts-student-reactions-653155.html* https://www.business-standard.com/education/news/cbse-class-10-science-exam-2025-analysis-know-what-students-say-about-exam-nc-125022000532_1.html* https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/cbse-class-10-mathematics-paper-2025-concludes-exam-analysis-difficulty-level-and-student-reactions/articleshow/118841841.cms* https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/cbse-class-10-science-paper-analysis-2024-student-feedback-and-difficulty-level-1709364653-1* https://www.adda247.com/school/cbse-class-10th-maths-exam-analysis-2025/* https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-10-science-paper-analysis-2025* https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-10-math-paper-analysis-2025* https://zollege.in/news/e-734-cbse-class-10-mathematics-standard-question-paper-2025-set-2-30-2-1* https://zollege.in/exams/cbse-x/paper-analysis Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

It’s that time of the year!JEE, Board Exams, Stress, Anxiety.Some rose up to the occasion. Some struggled. Some wonder whether Board exams have gotten easier or not. Others question how parents and teachers should react.All that and more in this episode.Referenceshttps://newsable.asianetnews.com/career/jee-main-2025-topper-vishad-jain-reveals-his-study-strategy-for-achieving-100-percentile-iwh-srkd18https://www.shiksha.com/news/engineering-jee-main-2025-result-topper-atharva-kulkarni-aims-for-iit-bombay-eyes-computer-aerospace-engineering-blogId-190270https://www.shiksha.com/news/engineering-jee-main-2025-topper-interview-sakshi-advises-to-solve-mock-tests-previous-year-s-papers-for-success-blogId-190214https://engineering.careers360.com/articles/jee-mains-2025-session-1-topper-saksham-jindal-interview-success-story-and-strategyhttps://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/jee-main-2025-topper-om-prakash-behera-with-perfect-300300-doesnt-have-a-phone-2678766-2025-02-12https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/government-ends-no-detention-policy-for-classes-5-and-8-in-central-schools-2654118-2024-12-23 Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Hi, and welcome to the Art of Learning! Today’s episode is unique since I have practically no script haha!As the first episode of 2025, I wanted to chat with all of you to give an update on what I am doing and what I will be doing going forth.The Art of Learning by Mihir Iyer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

This week marked my one-month anniversary of experimenting with teaching first-year students using the ideology that I have been putting forth with this podcast and the insights that I have gained hold tremendous value. What if I were to tell you that when we learn biochemistry, you will also end up learning organic chemistry, plant and animal physiology, and even quantum physics? Have you ever had a class like this? What's going to be the exam pattern? Who knows?! I think you can imagine the faces of my students when this conversation happened. Let me guide you through this entire process of these classes and you'll see what I mean. Whenever I conducted a class, it was limited to one hour where we covered two to three concepts and discussed them. After the class was done, I used to put up some trivia questions on chat for students to answer. They were expected to answer within 24 hours of the class ending and the format of the questions would be similar to the ones that would be asked during class. We connected each concept to allied concepts to explain every phenomenon. They had a shocked expression on their faces when I conducted an assessment by asking them to attempt a test paper in 26 hours with complete access to the internet. Now, listeners, you may find this an interesting experiment and the outcomes were equally interesting.In the 26-hour long test, no one could score above 80%. This doesn't say anything about their intelligence. Almost all of them lost marks due to a lack of understanding of the application of concepts. The following test was a group discussion. Now, recently, I took another group discussion assessment, and everyone fared great in it. What did I achieve with this? I exploited the idea of "experiential learning" - Learning by experience. I always believe that to learn anything, you must experience it. As an educator, my job was to create such experiences. And so, I did. With this idea, I not only built their understanding of those concepts, but I also built allied skills, like logical reasoning, communication skills, research writing and more. This is the power of experiential learning. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Now, let me be real with you all. A week back when I was supposed to have this episode go out, I was feeling absolutely demotivated. I didn't have any ideas. I just felt as if I was doing the same things over and over again without any meaning behind those actions. I was just sitting in front of my laptop, editing a paper, preparing talking points for my upcoming meetings and within all that, I felt no spark. I did not feel any excitement doing the things I usually find fun. What could have been the possible issue here? It's kind of intuitive when you think about it. What makes a routine so important? It's predictable. Humans love being in their comfort zones, doing the same thing over and over again. However, there's a big catch to that. When someone does the same thing for too long, they stop seeing progress in their domain. Things become stagnant and this is where most people see their dreams die. At times, staying in this comfort zone brings people more pain than pleasure. If you're with me till now, let me ask you this question. What makes you feel alive? Let me put you in a scenario. I give you a challenge to try out something new every week. It could be a new exercise regimen. It could be a new language. It could be a new skill or hobby. It could even be reading a new book. Every week, take up something new and see through it. The next week, add another new thing but do not ditch the thing you already started. Don't let anyone choose for you. Pick something new entirely by yourself and see how fulfilled you will feel. This is the magic of continuously breaking and building your routine. It allows for a fresh breath of air to enter your body and fills you with a newfound purpose. Learning to do new things never brings anything negative. In the previous article I had put up on my newsletter, I had talked about the nature of experiences. Experiences are always both positive and negative but they all contribute to your entire character. Thus, you must always accumulate experiences, willingly, intentionally, and consciously. So go on! Try something new! Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

I’ve always stated that the Art of Learning is a way of life. Living life more meaningfully requires a good understanding of the world around you. Thus, today, I am introducing a concept I came across once again while re-reading my favourite book. Always remember. Effort compounds. Positive effort compounds. Negative effort compounds. Some self-promo: Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Research is underrated and underappreciated. Most people are unaware of the impact of research on the world. In this episode, I go over the impact of research on the world and how you can start with your journey in research. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Life’s true meaning lies in the small things we enjoy. These things usually align with our passions and our true calling - our ikigai, as the Japanese call it. Learning is an integral part of being able to live life meaningfully. In this episode, I go over how learning leads to positive changes within the idea of living life. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Art of Learning, we explore the requirements and necessity for having a high-value career?What do we mean by a high-value career?How does a high-value career help?Watch to know more. Read to know more. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Curiosity is such a powerful tool to learn anything.Learn how to use curiosity to design the ideal Learn Phase. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Education, as a formalized form of learning, is a science and an art at the same time. They intermesh to such a strong extent that at times, it is difficult to deduce what part of education is a science and what part is an art. Thus, to understand how education works, educational research becomes important. The Art of Learning | Mihir Iyer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Change is the only constant in life.With changing society comes changing values. With changing values comes a shift in the paradigms of education.What would education look like in a digital society?These are my predictions. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

It’s almost the middle of January. Almost 80% of people have given up on their resolutions, saying they lost motivation. Is that truly that’s all to the story? In this episode, I discuss how learning is a secret power-up towards achieving your New Year’s resolutions.Points that I cover.* “Most people overestimate what they can do in a week and underestimate what they can do in a year”.* Learning is a lifelong process.* Going from Zero to One.* “Imitate but make it better” Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

The Art of Storytelling has a profound impact on the world of education. Storytelling involves many skills that students can develop for a stronger conceptual understanding. In this episode, I take a story as an example and describe how we can learn anything using stories. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Minimalism is a concept that interests me at all times. The idea of “less is more” seemingly can be applied almost everywhere - including learning. Today, I introduce the idea of minimalist learning and go over how it can be applied in our lives. Read more here. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Every new bit of technology resets the baseline. Technology requires students and teachers to be creative to foster a strong learning process, from calculators to AI. In this episode, I talk about how creativity can be fostered in the new world of AI.Are you ready to make this change? Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

I have discussed why we need a new education system for the past two weeks with all of you. We must understand that building a new education system meant redefining core concepts. We must also understand that this will take a radical amount of effort and time. For that, I need your help. Check out The Education Renaissance.See you on the other side of the revolution.Thank you and Happy Learning!~Mihir Iyer Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

Let me ask you this.What do you need to know to survive in the modern world?You need financial freedom. For that, you need to know things that let you be versatile. That is Education 2.0. Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Art of Learning, I pose some important questions.Does your education still serve you?What is the ground reality of specialising after all?Are all specialists able to secure their finances?The Education System globally is a mess. We must fix this. That is why we have to incorporate the Art of Learning. See you next week for more!~Mihir Iyer Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe

A lot of people asked me this. On what platforms can they access The Art of Learning?Will I ever create a podcast for this?The answer: Yes!The pilot episode comes out later today evening!Stay tuned!~Mihir Iyer Get full access to The Mihir Iyer Newsletter at mihiriyer.substack.com/subscribe