Amjad Masad on Rethinking College for the AI Era

Rethinking education in the AI era requires shifting from prescriptive, grade-focused models toward environments that foster intellectual curiosity and project-based learning. Young people should act as "heretics" who challenge conventional wisdom rather than conforming to traditional, rigid career paths. Amjad Masad, CEO of Repl.it, and Gagan Biyani, co-founder of a16z Academy, argue that students need the freedom to pursue "side quests" and build projects that genuinely interest them, using AI as a tool to accelerate their development. This approach avoids the pitfalls of premature startup formation and "premature optimization," where young founders commit to ventures driven by external pressure rather than intrinsic drive. Ultimately, the goal is to cultivate virtuous individuals who possess deep technical skills, strong interpersonal foundations, and the discernment to navigate a rapidly changing world, ensuring they contribute positively to society while maintaining the courage to disrupt established norms.