The GSV Big 10: Silent Strings, Stack Overflow, and State Funding
Here's your weekly coverage corner for the top 10 stories, insights, and major plays in learning and skilling.
#1 Ignore the Hysteria on AI and Jobs
85% of employment growth over the last 80 years is explained by the technology-driven creation of new positions. AI will replace all the jobs that a computer can do better than humans…and that’s a good thing for everyone involved.
#2 Arnold Ventures Influence Beyond Regulation
Houston billionaires Laura and John Arnold donated $617 million to Arnold Ventures in 2022…now we know where a lot of that is going. The firm provides funding to more than 80% of the think tanks and foundations publicly targeting OPM companies through changes in regulatory guidance.
#3 Duolingo Reports 62% DAU Growth, 42% Revenue Growth, and Increased Profitability in First Quarter 2023; Raises Full Year Guidance
Duolingo dominant 2023 continues apace, with 20M daily active users on the platform and the company’s stock up over 2x since the start of 2023. The company is now trading at a 14x P/S ratio, which is a 20-30% premium to top enterprise SaaS companies.
#4 The Silent Strings of ChatGPT
ChatGPT’s magic is that it can respond to almost anything… but what questions won’t it answer? The CCP has developed protocols to censor its AI and conform to one version of the “truth”…has the US already done the same?
#5 Chinese Company Now Owns Tutoring Firm Contracted by Military and Schools in U.S.
Conventional wisdom is that the Chinese edtech market ended in July 2021…the truth is a little bit more complicated. China-based Primavera Capital Group’s acquisition of Tutor.com and the Princeton Review won’t get as many headlines as TikTok, but it’s another example of China’s persistent influence in classrooms and boardrooms across the United States.
#6 Why It's Time for Legacy College Admissions to Go
Having mom or dad as an alum can triple the odds that an applicant will be admitted. Legacy preferences violate important equality principles…and show that college leaders are all hat and no cattle when it comes to diversity. 75% of Americans oppose legacy preferences, and we hope that’s the next college admissions lawsuit that makes it to SCOTUS.
#7 Stack Overflow is ChatGPT Casualty: Traffic Down 14% in March
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb? Stack Overflow banned ChatGPT 5 days after its initial release…and it seems to have backfired. While its traffic may be down, it still has a gold mine of user data that will be a welcome addition to any AI company’s arsenal.
#8 4-day school weeks are gaining steam, but students are suffering
Students and teachers alike love a 4-day school week, but that doesn’t mean it should be the norm. There’s mounting evidence that 4-day programs have higher absenteeism, lower graduation rates, and lower test scores.
#9 Education Freedom: State Funding Is Only Half The Battle
Local leaders are not just providing money for schools…they’re funding parents’ efforts to provide the best opportunities for their children. This shift in perspective could transform “school funding” dollars into “child education” dollars.
#10 Indian Tech’s Promise of Rivaling China Is Falling Apart
While Indian startup funding took off during COVID, a lag in widespread access may point to turbulence ahead in the short-term. Only 26% of India’s households earned more than $10,000 in 2021, while 5% of Indians using the internet account for 50% of online spending.