🌟 Founder musings
When adaptability beats algorithms
I was talking to a fellow engineering leader at a conference about how they hire engineers for their company, and our conversation shifted to a local coding bootcamp that was closing doors. He mentioned how he had hired amazing talent from there. As I shared a similar experience, I thought about what skills and qualities both of us valued in these candidates.
What came to mind wasn't technical skills or coding ability - it was adaptability, resilience, and bias for action.
As we talked, we realized it was less about the curriculum and more about the environment where students were challenged and coached on real projects. They learned to figure things out when stuck, iterate when things failed, and keep moving forward.
This conversation echoed an article I'd recently read in the Harvard Gazette. Harvard's Howard Gardner makes a provocative prediction: schools as we know them won't exist by 2050. He argues students need only the basics - the 3 Rs (Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic) plus some coding - while being coached by teachers on how to utilize AI effectively. Instead of teaching subjects, teachers would coach students on how to learn with AI.
Gardner's most striking point is about what AI will make obsolete:
"I think most cognitive aspects of mind - the disciplined mind, the synthesizing mind, and the creative mind - will be done so well by large language machines and mechanisms that whether we do them as humans will be optional. On the other hand, I don't believe for a minute that aspects of respect - how we deal with other human beings - and ethics - how we deal with difficult issues as citizens, as professionals - can or should be consigned to even the most articulate and multifaceted, intelligent machines."
If Gardner is right, then the bootcamp graduates we were discussing aren't just doing well despite taking a non-traditional path. They're succeeding because their environment prepared them for this future - one where technical knowledge matters less than the ability to adapt, collaborate, and keep learning. Our schools will also change to adopt this soon.
The opportunity AI creates isn't just about making education more accessible. It's about shifting what we teach entirely!
-Janani
🗓️ Opportunities to not miss for high schoolers!
When: September 30, 2025 - General Application Deadline; November 10 - December 6, 2025 - High School AI championship
What: America's first high school championship to identify and develop the next generation of AI leaders—solving real AI problems that matter right now, not presenting past research
Who: All high school students in the U.S. (must be at least 14 years old); all experience levels welcome with guidance provided for programming newcomers
Format: Individual assessment followed by team challenges (2-3 students) tackling open-ended AI and STEM problems
Prizes: $50,000 in total cash prizes, letters of recommendation from industry leaders, recruitment opportunities with participating companies, media recognition, and alumni network access
Perfect for: Students excited by AI and STEM who want a fast-track to the AI industry while boosting college applications
🚀 Stay Inspired
Beyond Grades: Skills for the workforce
🎨 AI as a creative partner, not a shortcut
86% of educators believe AI fluency will give students an edge in their careers, and 82% saw students more motivated when creativity was paired with AI. But here's the catch: just using AI isn't enough.
Anyone can type a prompt and accept the first result. But the students who really stand out are the ones who explore multiple outputs, combine the best parts, add their own voice, and adapt the result to fit their idea.That's where creativity meets mastery - using AI as a tool to amplify your ideas, not replace your thinking.
💼 Skills over degrees for tomorrow's job market
The Future of Jobs 2025 Report reveals what employers actually want over the next five years: analytical thinking, creative problem-solving, and adaptability. Not specific degrees or years of experience.
The report highlights a big shift: skills-based hiring is overtaking degree-based recruitment. Employers increasingly care less about where you went to school, and more about whether you can show practical experience, certifications, digital portfolios, and demonstrable skills in real-world contexts.
What you can do matters more than what's printed on your diploma. The future belongs to those who commit to lifelong learning, build digital portfolios, and develop adaptability through real projects.
🦄 Student Startup spotlight
Environmental health meets food safety innovation
This week, we're highlighting Aleeza Mian, a 9th grader from Texas who discovered a hidden connection most people don't know about: how air pollution settles on crops and introduces harmful substances like heavy metals into our diets.
Recognizing that most people have no idea this contamination is happening or how to protect themselves, Aleeza built "Air to Plate" - a platform that educates users about air-to-food contamination, monitors real-time Air Quality Index in their area, and provides instant alerts with practical tips when pollution levels spike above 100.
Her solution transforms complex environmental science into actionable information that helps people eat safer and protect their health every day - whether you're health-conscious or just curious about environmental impacts.
This is what happens when students use AI to tackle problems they're genuinely passionate about rather than following cookie-cutter templates.
🔥 Ready to start building skills for the future?
Flintolabs helps high schoolers develop AI fluency while building creativity - because the future belongs to those who can create it, not just study it.
The next cohort starts on October 4. Hurry, last few spots available!
Our program has 5-star rating with reviews from both students and parents. If you have questions that you want to discuss before signing up, email us at [email protected].
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