How AI Transforms Learning - with former Harvard professor and dean Stephen Kosslyn

Beyond The Prompt - How to use AI in your company

In this episode, Stephen Kosslyn—former Harvard professor and leading voice in cognitive science—shares how AI is reshaping the way we learn. He explains why “learning by using” leads to deeper understanding, and how AI can amplify memory, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Kosslyn also explores where AI still falls short, the enduring power of the humanities, and what it takes to truly flourish in the age of intelligent tools. Drawing from his decades of research and his upcoming book Learning to Flourish in the Age of AI, this episode offers a powerful look at the future of education.

00:00 Introduction to Stephen Kosslyn and His Career
01:01 Active Learning
02:08 Retention in Learning
03:40 AI's Impact on Learning
04:18 Early AI Experiences
09:56 Cognitive Amplifier Loop
15:09 AI in Learning: Challenges & Potential
23:18 AI Personalization Complexity
28:45 Transfer Problem in Learning
30:55 Problem-Solving & Cognitive Limits
31:58 Evolutionary Learning & AI in Creativity
35:45 AI Context Switching Challenges
37:34 Student Motivation
39:50 Innovative Teaching Methods
42:22 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
54:11 Humanities in Learning
55:36 Final Thoughts & Reflections
📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of How AI Transforms Learning - with former Harvard professor and dean Stephen Kosslyn |

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Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.