Edtech Insiders

AI Doesn’t Learn Alone: Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor on Human Intelligence


Listen Later

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor is a Stanford-trained scholar and a leader in AI education. With a unique ability to understand how people think, she helps experts translate deep human knowledge into AI-ready systems. She designs AI curricula and training programs that empower individuals and organizations, while also leading in community arts and muralism. Learn more about her work at www.magdalenagross.com.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

  1. How human experts actually train AI through structured thinking and feedback 
  2.  Why making “invisible thinking visible” is key to both learning and AI development 
  3.  The parallels between reinforcement learning in AI and how humans learn 
  4.  How breaking down reasoning into steps improves both teaching and model performance 
  5.  Why interdisciplinary thinking is essential for solving complex problems with AI 

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:48] What “human data” really means: experts training AI through deep domain knowledge
[00:05:30] From binary labeling to reinforcement learning: how AI training now mirrors human learning
[00:07:47] Spiral curriculum at scale: how experts and AI both improve through repetition and complexity
[00:10:44] Cognitive modeling: making expert thinking visible to accelerate learning
[00:13:28] Breaking down reasoning: categorizing how humans think across domains
[00:16:28] Why interdisciplinary thinking drives breakthroughs in humans and AI
[00:18:58] The future of human data work: expanding alongside the growth of human knowledge 

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! 

Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here.

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Edtech InsidersBy Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

25 ratings


More shows like Edtech Insiders

View all
Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Freakonomics Radio

32,246 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,609 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,687 Listeners

Pivot by New York Magazine

Pivot

9,724 Listeners

How I Built This with Guy Raz by Guy Raz | Wondery

How I Built This with Guy Raz

30,233 Listeners

Pod Save America by Pod Save America

Pod Save America

87,868 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,121 Listeners

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat by New York Times Opinion

Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

7,244 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,610 Listeners

SmartLess by Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, Will Arnett

SmartLess

58,365 Listeners

Hard Fork by The New York Times

Hard Fork

5,576 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,525 Listeners

On with Kara Swisher by Vox Media

On with Kara Swisher

3,538 Listeners

What Now? with Trevor Noah by Trevor Noah

What Now? with Trevor Noah

4,294 Listeners

Good Hang with Amy Poehler by The Ringer

Good Hang with Amy Poehler

12,559 Listeners