Big Think+ — October 18, 2017

Tutoring Cousins at Scale, Khan Academy Educates the World

Summary

Salman Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, discusses the story of how he was inspired to create a software-based learning tool that would teach others subjects like Math, World History, Art, and more.

From what began as a personal tutoring service for a cousin struggling with unit conversion, Salman Khan’s company, Khan Academy, has grown exponentially into a massive, global, online engine for learning.
Khan explains how his hobby grew into something that has changed the face of education on an unprecedented scale. It all begins with little bets and scales up to be a huge success—with a little time and effort, of course.

A human hand reaches toward a robotic hand, which includes a speech bubble with mathematical code. A pixelated pink background completes the scene.

The Future

AI chatbots may ease the world’s loneliness (if they don’t make it worse)

Man seeking meaningful relationship at the intersection of on-demand empathy and Rule 34.

The Present

Khan Academy’s founder on how AI can supercharge “mastery learning”

“We should be informed and educated about the risks of AI, but we can’t be afraid,” Khan Academy founder Sal Khan told Big Think.

A u.s. coast guard cutter sails on calm blue waters against a clear sky, flying the coast guard flag on its stern.

The Present

The algorithmic ocean: How AI Is revolutionizing marine conservation

Driven by a childhood marked by war and environmental devastation, Dyhia Belhabib developed an innovative technology to combat illegal fishing.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: What do the stars make an astrophysicist feel?

We’re used to scientists telling us about the math and physics behind astronomical events. But what does studying space make us feel?

Progress

The Great Progression, 2025-2050

The world isn’t ending! But we are likely at the beginning of a profound transformation.