In the rapidly evolving landscape of educational technology, AI tutors represent a frontier with extraordinary potential for transforming how we support student learning and wellbeing. As an educator deeply committed to mindfulness and systems thinking, Amy Edelstein has been exploring how artificial intelligence can help cultivate young people’s sense of purpose, compassion, and mental wellness while maintaining essential human connections.
In her podcast review of Sal Khan’s recent book, Brave New Words: How Artificial Intelligence Will Revolutionize Education and Why That’s a Good Thing, she shares his compelling insights and some cautions. Looking at Khan Academy’s best-of-breed educational AI tutor “Khanmigo,” she shares the features that help students re-engage in their own learning process and how AI Tutors can ignite curiosity and transform classroom dynamics. Rather than replacing teachers, these tools free educators to focus on meaningful human interactions, mentorship, and project-based learning by handling personalized instruction and assessment outside of class time.
Perhaps one of the most exciting applications lies in accessibility and inclusion. In diverse school districts where students speak many different languages and there are few teachers equipped with a deep understanding of mindfulness, AI tutors can deliver mindfulness lessons in each student’s native language, allowing them to ask questions and receive responses that honor their cultural context. This capability dramatically expands who can benefit from wellness education and supports English language learners in contributing their unique perspectives despite language barriers.
Privacy and ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of these developments. Khan Academy has demonstrated that it’s possible to create systems that protect student data while still providing useful feedback to teachers and parents. Similarly, proper guardrails can prevent AI from generating false information or “hallucinating” responses, especially important when discussing sensitive topics related to mental health and wellbeing. By limiting AI tutors to draw only from trusted sources and clearly indicating when they cannot answer questions outside their expertise, we maintain educational integrity and student safety.
An Inner Strength design would also build in the capability to foster interdisciplinary thinking. By connecting concepts across neuroscience, psychology, physics, history, and ethics, these systems can help students see knowledge as an integrated whole rather than separate subjects. This approach mirrors how the real world works and helps students discover meaningful connections between areas they love and those they’ve struggled with. When combined with interactive learning experiences, AI tutors can make abstract or very sensitive personal concepts approachable and engaging.
Despite valid concerns about excessive digital use among young people, thoughtfully designed educational AI offers something fundamentally different from social media or entertainment technology. These tools can address the twin challenges of supporting struggling students while challenging advanced learners, all within the same classroom community. By allowing each student to explore mindfulness and wellbeing concepts at their own edge, AI tutors create the conditions for richer classroom discussions when students come together with their human teachers—transforming learning from a box of 8 crayons to one with 120 vibrant colors.
Listen to the full episode on The Conscious Classroom Podcast.
