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Tutoring company tells parents to save their money and 'use AI instead'

142 points · 233 comments · theanonymousone

  1. saadn92 · · focus · HN ↗
    I'm all for saving money where you can, but these models really aren't great for learning because they love giving you answers and it's so easy to get an answer, but the process to get to the answer is how you actually learn. Unless you put guardrails in place to actually learn, I don't think this advice is good.
    1. tptacek · · focus · HN ↗
      They rule for maths. I had an extremely good experience going from high school trig through multivariable calc with them over a year. Best math teacher I ever had.
      1. ian-g · · focus · HN ↗
        I think the difference is between someone like you who wants to learn and a teenager who has to learn.

        I used to be a tutor, and the kids who wanted to get ahead were people who more needed someone to give them hints as they learned. The ones who needed to get the grade were a lot more reticent and needed a lot more attention and prodding.

        I don't think AI as it currently exists is a good choice for those folks.

        1. ofjcihen · · focus · HN ↗
          It comes down to the same issue that all AI comes down to really.

          If there’s proper oversight (tutor teaches the student and reviews knowledge while the student uses the AI to study or test themselves) that’s fine.

          If it’s just the AI then a student isn’t going to know what they don’t even know to ask.

          This can also work with books or adequate material someone is basing their learning on.

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