Sue Khim on Building Brilliant and the Future of AI Tutoring

The Shift from Rote Memorization to Problem Solving

Sue Khim, CEO of Brilliant, argues that the current education system is failing students by prioritizing the memorization of formulas over the development of critical thinking. Brilliant was founded on the principle that math and science should be taught as transferable problem-solving skills. By focusing on how to "see" the structure of a problem, students gain a systems-based approach to learning that remains useful long after they have forgotten specific formulas. Khim notes that this approach is fundamentally different from traditional schooling, which often relies on brittle procedures that fail when a student encounters a novel problem.

AI as a Coach, Not a Replacement

Khim addresses the growing public skepticism toward AI in education, noting that parents are not inherently anti-AI, but rather anti-replacement and anti-slop. The viral success of Brilliant’s new AI tutor demonstrates that users are hungry for tools that act as a "guide by your side." Unlike generative AI tools that simply provide answers, Brilliant’s tutor uses the Socratic method to challenge students, forcing them to engage with the material. This creates a feedback loop where the AI acts as a coach, helping students navigate difficult concepts without doing the cognitive work for them.

The Strategic Choice of Consumer-First EdTech

Khim explains why Brilliant chose to target consumers directly rather than selling into school districts. Selling to schools often creates a distance between the product and the learner, as the product must pass through administrators and teachers before reaching the student. By maintaining a direct-to-consumer model, Brilliant keeps its incentives aligned with the learner. This allows for rapid iteration based on granular feedback from app store reviews, engagement metrics, and churn data, ensuring the product remains engaging enough that students choose to use it voluntarily.

VC Dynamics and Founder Tenacity

Jason Calacanis and Sue Khim discuss the current climate of venture capital, touching on recent viral stories of "VCs behaving badly." Calacanis shares an anecdote about legendary investor John Doerr, highlighting that true tenacity in an investor involves going the extra mile to listen to a pitch, even when schedules are tight. The conversation emphasizes that while the industry has its share of horror stories, the core of successful investing remains rooted in genuine interest and the willingness to engage deeply with founders.