Schools are catching onto tech’s playbook
The Vergecast | 10 sep 2026 | 00:36:42
For years, big tech companies have embedded their products into the classroom whether through Google's Chromebooks or computer science curricula developed by Apple or Microsoft. The industry pushed a generation of kids to foster coding skills with the promise of high-paying jobs. Now, those students are finding themselves less in demand as AI takes over, and the industry seems to be repeating its playbook. Senior policy reporter Lauren Feiner talks to Natasha Singer, author of the new book "Coding Kids," about how big tech worked its way into the classroom, and why Natasha is optimistic about educators’ response to the AI push.
Further reading:
Schools are catching on to Big Tech’s playbook
Worried Anthropic researchers warn that AI ‘could kill all humans’
Meta’s Muse AI works and creeps me out
Another big James Talarico interview is punted to YouTube due to FCC threats
Apple asks: have you ever imagined iOS devices doin’ it?
Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or call us at 866-VERGE11.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Further reading:
Schools are catching on to Big Tech’s playbook
Worried Anthropic researchers warn that AI ‘could kill all humans’
Meta’s Muse AI works and creeps me out
Another big James Talarico interview is punted to YouTube due to FCC threats
Apple asks: have you ever imagined iOS devices doin’ it?
Subscribe to The Verge for unlimited access to theverge.com, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, and our ad-free podcast feed.We love hearing from you! Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or call us at 866-VERGE11.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices