The Education System is 100% Dead. Here's What Comes Next... ft. Amirah Cummings

What if curiosity, not content, is the most important skill we can teach kids? In this episode of Real Talk: The Curiosity Connection, host Matt Karabinos sits down with Amirah Cummings, founder of KIO (Kids in Orbit), to explore how AI is unlimiting education, why the traditional school system is 100% obsolete, and what it truly means to become a self-driven learner.

Amirah is a former software engineer turned educator whose work spans multilingual Montessori schooling, mission-based learning, and an entire ecosystem designed to turn kids into "Kionauts"—curious, compassionate explorers of Earth and the cosmos. 

At a time when AI is "making learning infinite" and "unlimiting" students' potential, the real mission of education comes into question. Listen to the whole episode for some memorable hot takes about education and what we can do instead. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why curiosity disappears around 3rd grade, and what we can do about it
• How AI makes learning infinite (and what that really means for classrooms)
• Why Amirah believes the traditional education system is 100% dead
• The difference between motivated learners and self-driven learners
• How mission-based learning replaces outdated standards and metrics
• Why millennials are uniquely positioned to lead the future of education
• What "the new literacy" really looks like in an AI-powered world
• How to develop curiosity in kids — and adults — starting with one question: "Why?"

Connect with Amirah Cummings:

• Amirah Cummings's LinkedIn
• KIO Learning
• Kionaut

Connect with Matt & the Show:

• Show: AI Real Talk: The Curiosity Connection
• Matt Karabinos' LinkedIn

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (00:57) - KIO: Kids in Orbit
• (02:02) - The Origin of KIO
• (07:49) - AI and Infinite Learning
• (15:36) - Rethinking Education
• (16:12) - Amirah's Personal Journey
• (23:14) - Student-Centered Learning & AI
• (35:50) - The Future of Education & AI
• (42:50) - Developing Curiosity
• (59:21) - Closing: What Are You Most Curious About?

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL.

Learn more about Renaissance:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.