Aggregator

TechCrunch quipped it was like if startup school Y Combinator and Peter Thiel's build-a-company-instead of-college Fellowship Program had a baby. Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is investing $35 million to launch a private school in San Francisco "aimed at turning high school graduates into founders," writes the SF Standard. Or, as CBS News describes it, "One blue-chip Silicon Valley investor has a proposal for young people who are questioning whether to attend college — enroll in AI school instead...." Specifically, the academy will provide instruction geared to subjects such as designing AI systems, fundraising for startups, selling businesses and storytelling. Students won't take tests or be assigned homework but will instead focus on building real projects. Courses will be taught by tech entrepreneurs, with the academy naming OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as either an instructor or guest lecturer. From the SF Standard: "There will be no traditional grades, tests, or homework," said the announcement. Instead, students will be encouraged to "build" in SF and work with partners from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Meta, and other firms. They'll be encouraged to live in campus housing in San Francisco. "The #1 goal is to help students learn to build, which is the most important skill in the AI era," Gagan Biyani, chief executive of the academy, wrote on X. Biyani cofounded the ed-tech startup Udemy... The school is opening applications for a Founding Class Fellowship a one-year, tuition-free program for around 50 students... The academy said it will bring in notable Silicon Valley names, like OpenAI's Sam Altman, as guest speakers and faculty. Students in the founding class will receive about $50,000 worth of computing credit — the sought-after currency in Silicon Valley to run AI models — as well as a $5,000 travel and research budget. The school is receiving funding from tech executives, including Fidji Simo, formerly of OpenAI and Instacart; Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator; and Tobi Lütke, CEO of Shopify. "In the AI era, it's more important to come out with a portfolio of projects that you worked on and work experience than it is to have a diploma or certificate," Biyani told the San Francisco Chronicle: Biyani said the academy plans to grow its enrollment and open a two-year program, pending regulatory approval, starting in the fall of 2028. Tuition is expected to be on par with the cost of an elite private university... The academy raised $42 million in funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The ten founding partners are Anduril, Anthropic, Coinbase, Google, Meta, Nvidia, OpenAI, Palantir, Replit and Stripe. A network of hundreds of instructors, hiring partners and guest speakers includes OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, neuroscientist Andrew Huberman and Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella, according to the academy's website. The FAQ describes a typical week by saying "Most of your time is yours to build. Each week, you share your progress with peers and practitioners, get direct feedback, and decide where to take your work next." Q: Can I use AI to help with my application? A: Yes. Use AI the way you'd use it on any project: to move faster, test ideas, and get past a blank page.... "The best assignments now are problems so hard they cannot be solved without AI," Andreessen Horowitz argued on X.com. "The Academy courses follow the same logic and will be taught by world-class leaders... The next generation will not be taught the way the last one was. The Academy is built for that world, and it begins in San Francisco." Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader theodp for sharing the news.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Schoolboy farmer Archie Morris has won a national award after inspiring thousands online and in his community.

Schoolboy farmer Archie Morris has won a national award after inspiring thousands online and in his community.

Locals are concerned that there could be a crash if action isn't taken

Callum McMahon, 30, was involved in selling cannabis and cocaine between 2021 and 2026, and continued offending after he had been released on bail.

Young people entering the job market face growing barriers as tougher requirements and fewer vacancies make it harder to find work.

SIGNED pictures by a world-famous artist will go under the hammer next week.

FURTHER disruption is expected to affect bus users from next week, as new road works begin.

Young people entering the job market face growing barriers as tougher requirements and fewer vacancies make it harder to find work.

SIGNED pictures by a world-famous artist will go under the hammer next week.

Witnesses said they saw 'flames coming from' the Hawk T2 training aircraft at RAF Valley before it came down near the village of Rhosneigr.

A Braintree team played in an annual football tournament to raise awareness of homelessness.

16 channels of DDR5, 5 GHz clock speeds, and support for CXL 3.1 memory god boxes? What's not to like?

It's been 55 years since Gene graced screens as the eccentric and complex Willy Wonka, esteemed candymaker and owner of a magical chocolate factory.

The terrifying ordeal occurred just moments before Go Local Extra in the quaint village of Shiney Row, Tyne and Wear, was due to shut last Thursday night.

New figures show 74 per cent of GB News viewers find the station trustworthy, compared with 71 per cent for Sky and just 66 per cent who trust the Beeb.

'Well-educated' hotel manager Erin Ong has been awarded the £5,497 payout for for race, sex, and disability discrimination while working at the Fisherbeck Hotel in Cumbria.

Melania Trump has admitted her husband sometimes 'doesn't want to hear' what she tells him when she delivers her private verdict on his public performances.

With Dubai on the decline, British expats may be seeking new shores to find a better quality of life. Could the Greek capital be the answer?

Following the 'phenomenal demand' from fans, the band have now added extra UK dates at Knebworth (September 25 and 26).