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Vibe Coding Is Here: How Districts Are Building Instead of Buying
In this episode of the Boys of EdTech, Matthew and Jacob are joined by Rob Dickson (Wichita Public Schools) and Kris Hagel (Peninsula School District) to explore the rise of “vibe coding” and what it means for the future of edtech.
The conversation dives into how district leaders are increasingly building their own solutions using AI—often in hours instead of months—and why this shift is challenging the traditional edtech vendor model. From custom-built apps tailored to specific district needs to saving hundreds of thousands of dollars through internal innovation, the guests share real-world examples of what’s now possible.
Rob and Kris unpack the broader implications of this movement, including the idea that software has reached a maturity point and is evolving beyond human-centered design. They also explore how AI is flattening the software stack, enabling districts to rely less on complex integrations and more on intelligent systems closer to the data.
The episode also addresses critical concerns around data privacy, cybersecurity, and decision-making—highlighting the balance between leveraging AI’s power and maintaining human judgment in education. As districts rethink build vs. buy decisions, this conversation offers a glimpse into a future where educators are not just consumers of technology, but creators.
Connect with the Boyz
Rick Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
Matthew Millstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-millstein/
Jacob Kantor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor/
Ryan Patenaude: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpatenaude/
Jeff Piontek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/
Key Moments
01:23 Kris Hagel’s first experience building with AI
03:24 The shift beyond traditional software models
04:00 Building for your district vs. building to scale
05:20 Rise of inbound AI-built solutions from individuals
07:21 Going viral and saving $250K through internal builds
10:18 Are edtech vendors becoming infrastructure providers?
12:09 Real-world applications and AI-driven workflows
13:21 The future of decision-making: build vs. partner
16:02 Data privacy and security challenges in AI adoption
17:11 Flattening the software stack with AI
18:07 What’s next: AI agents and automation in schools
19:20 Intelligence vs. understanding in education
20:43 Why this moment is different for district leaders
Connect with Guests
Rob Dickson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/showmerob
Kris Hagel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishagel
Interested in joining the show? Fill out the form: https://forms.gle/SRVhzpXikBombee38
View all episodes
By Old SoulIn this episode of the Boys of EdTech, Matthew and Jacob are joined by Rob Dickson (Wichita Public Schools) and Kris Hagel (Peninsula School District) to explore the rise of “vibe coding” and what it means for the future of edtech.
The conversation dives into how district leaders are increasingly building their own solutions using AI—often in hours instead of months—and why this shift is challenging the traditional edtech vendor model. From custom-built apps tailored to specific district needs to saving hundreds of thousands of dollars through internal innovation, the guests share real-world examples of what’s now possible.
Rob and Kris unpack the broader implications of this movement, including the idea that software has reached a maturity point and is evolving beyond human-centered design. They also explore how AI is flattening the software stack, enabling districts to rely less on complex integrations and more on intelligent systems closer to the data.
The episode also addresses critical concerns around data privacy, cybersecurity, and decision-making—highlighting the balance between leveraging AI’s power and maintaining human judgment in education. As districts rethink build vs. buy decisions, this conversation offers a glimpse into a future where educators are not just consumers of technology, but creators.
Connect with the Boyz
Rick Fernandez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rick-fernandez-40692434/
Matthew Millstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-millstein/
Jacob Kantor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejacobkantor/
Ryan Patenaude: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanpatenaude/
Jeff Piontek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/
Key Moments
01:23 Kris Hagel’s first experience building with AI
03:24 The shift beyond traditional software models
04:00 Building for your district vs. building to scale
05:20 Rise of inbound AI-built solutions from individuals
07:21 Going viral and saving $250K through internal builds
10:18 Are edtech vendors becoming infrastructure providers?
12:09 Real-world applications and AI-driven workflows
13:21 The future of decision-making: build vs. partner
16:02 Data privacy and security challenges in AI adoption
17:11 Flattening the software stack with AI
18:07 What’s next: AI agents and automation in schools
19:20 Intelligence vs. understanding in education
20:43 Why this moment is different for district leaders
Connect with Guests
Rob Dickson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/showmerob
Kris Hagel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krishagel
Interested in joining the show? Fill out the form: https://forms.gle/SRVhzpXikBombee38