The world is changing faster than ever, and with the rise of AI, the skills we need to succeed are shifting dramatically. For decades, the purpose of education was simple: to learn how to do the homework and pass the exams. But what happens when a tool like ChatGPT can do both of those things for you in seconds?
This new reality forces us to ask a critical question: What is the purpose of learning in an AI-driven world?
According to mathematician and social entrepreneur Po-shen Loh, the answer is clear: the role of a person is to solve problems and evaluate the answers provided by AI.
“Today, everyone needs to learn how to grade the homework,” Loh says. “The first thing you will do is you will ask ChatGPT. The role of a person in the world is going to be to solve problems.”
From Rote Memorization to Inventive Thinking
If AI can handle repetitive tasks, from complex calculations to writing code, then our human value lies in what AI cannot do. The goal of education should no longer be about showing you all the strange math problems you might possibly see on a test. Instead, it should be about teaching you how to come up with your own way of thinking and how to tackle a problem you’ve never encountered before.
Loh uses a simple but powerful example:
“If you have six matchsticks, how can you put them so that they make four triangles where the side of the triangle is the same length as the matchstick?”
A student trained only to solve problems on a flat piece of paper would be stumped. But the solution isn’t on a two-dimensional surface—it’s to build a three-dimensional pyramid. This “thinking outside the box” is the very essence of what students need to master.
This is the philosophy behind Loh’s approach to education. He teaches students using math problems they won’t have seen before, not to test what they’ve memorized, but to give them a chance to practice mental flexibility and creativity. This is a stark contrast to the modern “test-prep” industry, which he says often robs students of their chance to invent.
“In the real world, if a task is repetitive, you should get ChatGPT to do it, or a calculator to do it, or a computer to do it. But in order to know how to control those well, you need to learn how to think.”
Creating a “Win-Win-Win” Ecosystem
To address this challenge on a large scale, Loh created a unique ecosystem that connects different groups of people in a way that benefits everyone. His company hires brilliant high school math students to teach younger middle school students. The students learn from their relatable, near-peer mentors, but there’s a secret ingredient: professional actors.
Loh, who took improvisational comedy classes himself to improve his communication skills, realized that combining mathematical genius with the art of communication would be a game-changer. His company hires actors and actresses to coach the high school teachers, helping them become more dynamic and engaging.
This creates a “win-win-win” situation:
- Win for the younger students: They get an engaging, live, and human-centered math experience that feels as dynamic as a Twitch stream.
- Win for the high school students: They develop essential communication, leadership, and teaching skills that will make them extraordinarily successful in their future careers.
- Win for the actors: They get a stable, part-time job that supports their passion for performing arts.
This model is built on one core principle: every part of the system must be a win for those involved. Loh says he will never ask a busy high school student to do something unless he can confidently explain to their parent why it’s the best possible use of their time.
The Power of Interaction
Loh’s journey to this idea wasn’t a theoretical one. It was born from a passion for understanding people and their needs. He has traveled across the country, giving talks in public parks and even riding overnight buses to cities to interact with parents and students directly.
“You cannot create value if you don’t interact with people,” he says. “You cannot just theoretically think about the value. And the more people, the more you can understand people of different backgrounds.”
His definition of success is not tied to money, but to impact. “My definition of success is if we manage to convince a huge number of people on this earth to enjoy being thoughtful.”
As we move into a new era of AI, we face a “Wild West” of new opportunities. Those who will be the most successful are the ones who are good at creating value for others, not just for themselves. Loh’s message to everyone is clear: become an entrepreneur, or an “intrapreneur” within an organization, and learn to create value. It’s no longer about repeating what has been done before; it’s about learning to think and invent what comes next.
