Traditional learning not working for you? We're building something different.
The Lightbulb Moment
Last week, I came across a fascinating youtube video featuring Pete Koomen, a YC General Partner, discussing why most AI applications today are essentially "horseless carriages" - old solutions with new technology bolted on, missing the transformative potential entirely.
Whenever a new technology is invented, the first tools built with it inevitably fail because they mimic the old way of doing things. "Horseless carriage" refers to the early motor car designs that borrowed heavily from the horse-drawn carriages that preceded them. - https://koomen.dev/essays/horseless-carriages/#horseless-carriages
His central argument hit me like a lightning bolt: we're using old software development techniques to build AI features, instead of leveraging what AI can truly do.
Pete's example was Gmail's AI email writer - a feature that generates formal, generic emails that sound nothing like you, with no access to customizing system prompts. System prompts provide the ability to introduce information which helps customize email by describe how AI models should perform. Without access to system prompts, It's AI, but it's not useful AI.
This got me thinking about QuizLink and our mission: bringing learning to life through personalized education - learn your way.
The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Learning
Just like Pete's Gmail example, most educational platforms today follow the same old pattern:
Students consume information in predetermined ways
Everyone gets the same experience, regardless of their learning style, pace, or preferences
Users have no control in learning journey
Sound familiar? It's the educational equivalent of that robotic Gmail draft.
Traditional e-learning platforms treat learners like they're all the same person. But we know that's not true. Some people learn better through audio (podcasts), others through visual repetition (flashcards), some through interactive challenges (quizzes), and others through personalized guidance (tutoring).
QuizLink's AI-Native Approach
Inspired by Pete's vision of truly user-programmable software, we've been rethinking QuizLink from the ground up. Instead of asking "How do we add AI to our learning platform?", we asked: "How would we design a learning platform from scratch to give every learner exactly what they need?"
The answer led us to completely reimagine our settings architecture. Take a look at what we've built:
Personalized Learning Paths
We aim to give power to our users. Our new settings system lets learners control every aspect of their experience:
Podcast Settings:
- Choose your accent and speaking style (conversational, academic, enthusiastic)
- Adjust length from quick 1-minute summaries to deep 10-minute explorations
- Select single or dual tutors based on your preference
Flashcard Customization:
- Pick your optimal card count (5–10 cards per session)
- Choose between minimal, detailed, or visual-focused styles
- Select themes that match your aesthetic preferences
Adaptive Quizzing:
- Dynamic difficulty that adjusts to your performance
- Multiple question types (multiple choice, true/false, short answer)
- Customizable time limits and passing scores
The Power of User-Programmable Learning
Here's where Pete's insights really shine through. Instead of hiding our system prompts, we're giving learners unprecedented control over their experience.
When you select "Conversational" podcast style, you're essentially telling our AI: "Be casual, engaging, and speak to me like a friend explaining something interesting." When you choose "Academic," you're programming it to be more formal and comprehensive.
This isn't just customization - it's user-programmable education.
Beyond Settings: The Future of Learning
Our enhanced settings page is just the beginning. We're working toward a future where QuizLink doesn't just respond to your preferences - it learns from your behavior and adapts in realtime.
Imagine:
- Using AI to detect you're struggle with certain topics and automatically generates more practice content
- Systems that detect when you're most focused and schedule optimal study sessions
- Tutors that remember your learning style across all subjects and adapt their teaching accordingly
The Horseless Carriage Test
Pete poses a good question: "Are we just putting an engine where the horse used to be?"
For QuizLink, the answer is increasingly no. We're not just digitizing traditional textbooks or adding AI chat to existing course structures. We're building something fundamentally different: a learning platform that adapts to you, not the other way around.
What This Means for Learners
Every learner who uses QuizLink now has the power to create their perfect study environment:
Visual learners can emphasize flashcards with rich imagery
Auditory learners can customize podcast experiences that match their preferences
Kinesthetic learners can adjust quiz timing and interaction styles
Social learners can choose collaborative features and discussion-based content
Traditional learning not working for you? That's exactly the problem we're solving.
The Road Ahead
I am reminded why I started QuizLink in the first place. Education shouldn't be a one-size-fits-all experience. With AI, we finally have the tools to make learning truly personal.
Our new settings system is live now, and it's just the first step. We're not building AI horseless carriages - we're building the rocket ship for learning that Pete envisioned.
Ready to experience learning that adapts to you? Try QuizLink's personalized approach and see the difference AI-native education can make.
QuizLink: Learn your way. Our platform combines podcasts, flashcards, quizzes, crosswords, and personalized tutoring to create the perfect learning experience for every individual.
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