#158: AI will be the ultimate tutor.

Issue #158 | May 54, 2025

Hello,

This week, we’re diving into Anthropic’s bold new AI model, Google’s I/O 2025 highlights, OpenAI’s game-changing acquisition, and more. Buckle up for a whirlwind of innovation!

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we work and learn, challenging assumptions and opening new possibilities. Here’s what industry leaders are saying about this seismic shift.

AI’s Impact on Software Engineering

Sridhar Vembu, CEO of Zoho Corporation, is sounding the alarm for software engineers: the days of guaranteed high salaries are not set in stone.

As Large Language Models (LLMs) advance, they’re automating core tasks like code generation, debugging, and even system design, reshaping the software engineering landscape.

• The Challenge: Traditionally, software engineering has been a high-paying field driven by innovation. But AI’s ability to handle complex coding tasks is reducing the demand for traditional roles. Vembu warns against complacency, noting that assuming perpetual demand for coding skills is “misguided.”

• What’s Next: Engineers must adapt by mastering AI tools and focusing on skills that complement automation, like creative problem-solving and system architecture. The future belongs to those who evolve with the tech.

AI as the Ultimate Tutor

Duolingo is redefining education with AI, extending beyond languages to teach math, music, and chess.

CEO Luis von Ahn is excited about making learning engaging and effective, aiming for an experience that’s “90% as effective as a human tutor and 90% as fun as Candy Crush.”

• Why It Works: Unlike traditional tutors, which von Ahn calls “really boring” despite their effectiveness, AI offers interactive, gamified learning. Duolingo targets subjects with large audiences and long-term learning curves, aligning with its mobile app model.

• Big Picture: By focusing on “things that are good for the world,” Duolingo’s AI tutors are making education accessible and enjoyable, potentially transforming how millions learn complex subjects.

Sergey Brin on AI’s Role in Coding and Education

Google co-founder Sergey Brin is bullish on AI’s potential to revolutionize both coding and education, but he’s candid about the uncertainties it brings.

• AI in Coding: Brin fought an internal battle at Google to allow AI tools like Gemini for development, overcoming “weird” restrictions. He believes AI boosts productivity, personally making him “more productive” and potentially turning all developers into “10x developers.” However, he cautions that unchecked AI-generated code “could get weird” without oversight.

• The Education Dilemma: Reflecting on his children’s future, Brin admits he’s unsure how to navigate an AI-dominated world: “I don’t have a magical way.” AI already outshines humans in math and coding contests, raising questions about traditional education.

• College in Question: Brin acknowledges the ongoing debate about college’s value, noting it was “already undergoing a revolution” before AI’s rise. His advice? Pursue passions that are challenging and foster problem-solving.

AI is rewriting the rules for work and education. Software engineers need to pivot to stay relevant, while AI-driven learning tools are making education more engaging and accessible. The future demands adaptability and a willingness to embrace new possibilities.

Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4: Coding’s New Champion

Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 is stealing the show, outpacing OpenAI’s GPT-4.1 and Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro with 72.5% on SWE-bench and 43.2% on Terminal-bench.

Standout Performance: Opus 4 excels in marathon tasks, delivering precision in a seven-hour open-source refactor for Rakuten.

Who’s Loving It?

• Cursor: Calls it “state-of-the-art” for complex codebases.

• Replit: Praises its multi-file edit precision.

• Block: Uses it in its Goose agent for reliable code editing.

• Cognition: Notes its ability to tackle challenges others miss.

For developers and enterprises, Opus 4 is setting a new standard for AI-driven coding.

Google I/O 2025: Gemini 2.5 Pro and Beyond

Google’s I/O 2025 showcased Gemini 2.5 Pro and transformative projects:

Gemini 2.5 Pro: Tops WebDev Arena with a 140 Elo point leap, powering Cursor with “hundreds of thousands of lines of accepted code every minute.” Google’s AI processing has surged 50x to 480 trillion tokens monthly, with 7 million developers using the Gemini API.

• AI-Powered Search: AI Overviews serve 1.5 billion users monthly, boosting query volume by 10%. The new AI Mode supports longer, complex searches.

• New Projects:

  • Google Beam: An AI-first video platform with real-time 3D rendering, launching with HP in 2025.

  • Project Astra: Enhances Gemini Live with camera and screen-sharing capabilities.

  • Project Mariner: A multitasking AI agent with a “Teach and Repeat” feature, available this summer.

Google’s scaling AI to empower millions, from developers to everyday users.

OpenAI’s $6.5B Hardware Play with io

OpenAI’s acquisition of io, co-founded by design icon Jony Ive, for $6.5 billion is a game-changer.

• The Vision: Merging OpenAI’s AI expertise with Ive’s design legacy (iPhone, MacBook Pro), they aim to create intuitive AI-powered devices for “the greatest technological revolution of our lifetimes.”

• Stargate Project: Born from soaring AI compute demands post-GPT-4, Stargate is a massive data center to power next-gen AI, dubbed “the biggest infrastructure project in history.”

This move signals OpenAI’s ambition to dominate both AI software and hardware.

Why This Matters

AI is no longer just a tool—it’s reshaping how we work, learn, and innovate. From coders adapting to automation to students learning with AI tutors, the future is about embracing change. Stay curious, stay agile, and let’s shape what’s next together.

AI, Agents, automation, vibe coding and future

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