Podcast Summary: AI: Last Invention for Learning?

The Last Invention is AI | Hosted by Jaden Schaefer

Date: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Jaden Schaefer discusses Google's bold moves in AI-powered education, focusing on the rollout of free SAT practice exams powered by Gemini. The conversation delves into the broader landscape of AI in standardized testing, its implications for students and educators, and the potential disruption of traditional educational business models. Jaden offers analysis and personal reflections on the evolving role of AI in learning, with particular attention to equity, skill-building, and human accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Google Gemini’s Free SAT Practice Exams

• Introduction of Feature:
  Google now offers free, Gemini-powered SAT practice exams. Students can access full, AI-generated tests at any time, at no cost.
  • “They’re officially going to be offering free SAT practice exams. This is going to be powered by Gemini…” (01:00)
• Personalization and Feedback:
  Gemini not only generates unique exams but also reviews results, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and provides detailed explanations for missed questions.
  • "Gemini can actually go and review the results and they can call out different strengths. They can flag different weak spots." (06:30)
  • “It's not just like, ‘Oh, you got this wrong. Go study XYZ section.’ It's like, 'you got this wrong, but you got it wrong in this number. So you probably were going down this line of reasoning to get there, and this is what it actually should have been.’” (07:12)
• Leveling the Playing Field:
  Free, unlimited, personalized practice is seen as a major step toward educational equity, especially for students unable to afford costly test prep materials or tutors.
  • "This is definitely a game changer for a lot of students who can't afford private SAT tutoring." (08:25)

2. Disruption of Traditional Test Prep

• Impact on Educational Publishers:
  Google’s partnership with The Princeton Review ensures high-quality, realistic practice materials, but signals a possible end to the traditional business model of selling prep books.
  • “The whole business model of selling these books is, I think, basically dead in the future.” (09:05)
• Strategic Partnerships:
  The necessity for established educational companies to collaborate with tech giants, or risk obsolescence.
  • “If they don't work with Google, Google [will] work with someone else or just go hire people that can kind of figure this stuff out…” (09:22)

3. AI’s Role in Shaping Student Learning

• Concerns about Dependence on AI:
  Addressing worries that widespread use of tools like Gemini or ChatGPT could hamper students' development of independent problem solving and critical thinking.
  • “A lot of teachers might be worrying that students could become, you know, overly dependent on Gemini or ChatGPT and outsource too much of their thinking to it.” (10:17)
  • “Some people have argued that if AI does all the heavy lifting, students are going to miss out on building some core problem solving and critical thinking skills.” (10:30)
• Balancing AI and Human Skill-Building:
  The analogy of AI to calculators: ultimately, tools become integrated into learning to allow deeper reasoning and creativity.
  • “ChatGPT has just become another calculator for text and for writing essays and articles. The same way when the calculator was invented we didn’t throw it out...I think ChatGPT is going to help us to do more complex reasoning and essays and articles and thinking.” (11:11)
• AI Integration at University Level:
  Urging higher education to embrace AI as preparation for future professional life.
  • “Once you get to a university level…universities should be preparing people for their careers and their career is going to be using AI for everything.” (12:44)

4. AI versus Human Tutors

• Potential Job Impact:
  Discussion of AI’s competition with human tutors and the value added by personal accountability.
  • “I think human tutors…aren’t going to be completely kicked out...there’s some value to that and that’s what you’re paying for, right? Because that’s how you’re gonna get results.” (14:05)
• Limits of AI as a Motivator:
  Comparing personalized AI reminders to having a real person providing motivation and accountability.
  • “It’s if you don’t have a personal coach calling you… it’s a lot harder to say you didn’t do it. Whereas…if you’re like, eh, it’s an AI… it’s not going to judge me basically…” (13:50)

5. Google’s Broader Push into Education

• Additional Gemini Features:
  Gemini now offers tools for teachers to create podcast-style lessons, brainstorm educational content, and build lesson plans.
  • “They had a tool that lets teachers create podcast style audio lessons…” (16:02)
  • “Some Gemini tools to help educators brainstorm ideas or to build lesson plans to customize learning materials.” (16:17)
• Strategic Positioning:
  Google aims to become the go-to AI platform for educators, boosting both utility and brand reputation.
  • “Google really is planning to keep pushing deeper into education as kind of a big area...It’s going to be good for the branding.” (16:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Personalized AI Testing:
  “It's like, you got this wrong, but you got it wrong in this number. So you probably were going down this line of reasoning to get there, and this is what it actually should have been. That is, like, so incredibly helpful and personalized.” — Jaden Schaefer (07:12)

• On Equity and Access:
  "This is definitely a game changer for a lot of students who can't afford private SAT tutoring." — Jaden Schaefer (08:25)

• On Resistance to AI in Education:
  “I hate it when I hear people say like, ‘we gotta get ChatGPT completely outta the school system because kids are outsourcing all of their thinking to it.’ … In my opinion, ChatGPT has just become another calculator for text and for writing essays and articles.” — Jaden Schaefer (11:02)

• On AI’s Impact at University Level:
  “Universities should be preparing people for their careers and their career is going to be using AI for everything.” — Jaden Schaefer (12:44)

• On the Value of Human Tutors:
  “There is some value to that and that’s what you’re paying for, right? Because that’s how you’re gonna get results.” — Jaden Schaefer (14:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:55 – 02:50: Introduction of Google’s AI-powered SAT practice exams
• 06:30 – 08:50: Gemini’s personalized feedback and analysis for students
• 09:05 – 10:40: Disruption of educational publishers and test prep business models
• 10:17 – 12:19: Concerns and debates about AI's effects on independent thinking
• 12:44 – 14:50: AI integration at the university level and the continued need for human tutors
• 16:02 – 17:43: Overview of additional Gemini educational tools and Google’s strategic approach

Conclusion

Jaden Schaefer’s analysis presents a nuanced view of the accelerating integration of AI into education, championing the benefits of accessibility, personalization, and preparedness for a tech-driven future while acknowledging the ongoing role of human educators and tutors in providing motivation and accountability. The episode frames Google’s Gemini-powered SAT prep as both a tool of empowerment and a potential disruptor, raising important questions about the evolution of learning in the era of AI.