The SDP Conference Wrap: Teaching Students How to Think With AI, Not Just Do

I enjoyed the March 2026 SDP conference and the chance to meet so many people navigating the intersection of high-quality decision-making and AI. Meeting others committed to finding a clear path forward felt incredibly fortunate.

Our presentation focused on how we use AI in the classroom. We view personal finance as an internal decision problem rather than an information acquisition problem. Because information is no longer scarce, we use Generative AI as a "Decision Architect’s Assistant" to help students curate data. This keeps human agency at the center while using technology to accelerate expertise.

We feel excited by the initial results of our "Ask GenAI" framework. Students are developing a "2-for-1 brain" for the modern labor market, and the feedback is excellent. One student mentioned the course taught them how to think about personal finance instead of just telling them what to do. Currently, 97% of our students find the real-life application incredibly engaging.

Even with these early wins, we know we will continue fine-tuning the process. We consider the current AI integration a "pedagogical mirror" that requires constant adjustment. Our path forward remains focused, engaging, conservative, and humble. We rely on proven science and mature technology while remaining dedicated to improving student outcomes.

It is a great opportunity to impact how people relate to money. I look forward to continuing this work with our partners in colleges and secondary schools.