Consider the adoption of conventional technology in the classroom. The US has spent billions on new hardware and software for education, and yet there has been no improvement in learning outcomes.

This is where the skepticism arises. Before we spend another $100 billion on something that ended up being worthless, we should first prove that it’s actually useful. So far, that hasn’t conclusively been demonstrated.

You appear to be implying that the $100 billion hardware and software must all be completely useless. I think the opposite conclusion is more likely: the structure of the education system actively hinders learning, so much so that even the hardware and software you talk about couldn't work against it.

If so, the conclusion wrt AI remains the same - one cannot expect improved learning outcomes from investing in it.

Correct. Since the dawn of radio, people have speculated that every new communication technology will “revolutionize education” and it never has. It boggles my mind how long that can keep happening before people consider that the problem might be with education, not with the technology.

The article states that Study Mode is free to use. Regardless of b2b costs, this is free for you as an individual.

billions on tech but not on making sure teachers can pay rent. Even the prestige or mission oriented structure of teaching has been weathered over the decades as we decided to shame teachers as government funded babysitters instead of the instructors of our future generations.

Truly a mystery why America is falling behind.