Former VC Advocates for AI-Ready Education in America

Ted Dintersmith believes the U.S. education system must evolve to prepare students for an AI-disrupted future.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 11:24am

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Ted Dintersmith, a former venture capitalist, has been sounding the alarm that American schools don't adequately prepare children for the future, especially as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workforce. Dintersmith argues the education system is designed to fail students by teaching skills that can easily be done by machines, rather than focusing on real-world knowledge and skills. He believes the stakes couldn't be higher, as millions of students could enter adulthood unprepared if the system doesn't change.

Why it matters

Dintersmith's concerns highlight the growing disconnect between the skills taught in schools and the skills needed for an AI-driven job market. As AI automates more tasks, the definition of career readiness is being rewritten, and the American education system must evolve to ensure students are equipped for the future.

The details

Dintersmith, in his new book "Aftermath: The Life-Changing Math That Schools Won't Teach You," argues that the education system is still teaching kids skills that can easily be done by machines, rather than offering real-world knowledge and skills. He believes students should be learning practical probability and statistics instead of abstract algebra and calculus. Dintersmith also believes the automatic high-school-to-college pipeline needs to be rethought, as more college graduates feel their degrees are not worth the cost.

  • Dintersmith has been studying the American education system for the past 15 years.
  • In 2023, Dintersmith visited a school district in Winchester, Virginia that offers technical training for high school students.
  • Dintersmith's film "Multiple Choice" was shown at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.

The players

Ted Dintersmith

A former venture capitalist who has become an advocate for transforming the American education system to better prepare students for an AI-disrupted future.

Winchester, Virginia

A small town that Dintersmith visited, where the local high school district offers a technical training center that integrates vocational education into the curriculum.

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What they’re saying

“It's a world where all of these jobs are going to just vanish. We don't have time to mold this for 10 years. Would you rather spend thousands of hours on math you'll never use in school, or get really good at something that can help you pursue a career you find fulfilling and can support yourself. What do you care about: the future of a kid or data for the state rankings?”

— Ted Dintersmith

“They were really focused on helping every kid find their lane, and it was tied to what skills would help that local community.”

— Ted Dintersmith

What’s next

Dintersmith's book "Aftermath" and his film "Multiple Choice" are expected to spark further discussions about the need to reform the American education system to better prepare students for an AI-driven future.

The takeaway

Dintersmith's advocacy highlights the urgent need for the U.S. education system to evolve beyond teaching outdated skills and instead focus on equipping students with the real-world knowledge and practical abilities they will need to thrive in an AI-disrupted job market.