Po-Shen Loh

About Po-Shen Loh

Po-Shen Loh is a mathematician, educator, and social entrepreneur who has become one of the most prominent voices on education in the AI age. As a professor at Carnegie Mellon University specializing in combinatorics, he brings both deep technical expertise and practical experience working with students across the entire educational spectrum — from sixth graders in under-resourced schools to International Math Olympiad competitors.

From 2013 to 2023, Loh served as the national coach of the US International Mathematical Olympiad team, leading them to first place finishes in 2015, 2016, and 2018 — the first US victories since 1994. This experience gave him a front-row seat to the evolving relationship between human and artificial intelligence in problem-solving, culminating in his observation that AI can now outperform him on original mathematical problems.

His current mission focuses on preparing humanity for an AI-dominated future through educational innovation, traveling to over 100 cities annually to spread his message about "thoughtful" education.

Career Highlights

• Carnegie Mellon University (2010-present): Professor of Mathematics specializing in combinatorics
• US Math Olympiad Team (2013-2023): National coach, leading to 4 world championships
• Expii (2013-present): Founder of free math and science education platform
• Live (ongoing): Educational startup connecting middle schoolers with high school mentors and professional actors
• NOVID (2020): Lead developer of privacy-preserving COVID contact tracing app
• Princeton PhD (2010): Dissertation on combinatorics

Notable Positions

On AI Surpassing Humans

Loh grounds his educational philosophy in direct observation of AI capability:

"The artificial intelligence was able to come up with solutions to four out of six original Math Olympiad problems, which is more than I can do... The creativity in the AI can probably surpass what we can do, too."

On the Homework Paradox

His most quoted analogy reframes why AI homework shortcuts are catastrophic for learning:

"Using AI to do your writing homework in school is like saying, 'I'm not going to run a mile for exercise. I'm going to drive my car one mile for exercise.'"

On the New Human Value Proposition

Loh argues that collaboration becomes the essential human skill in an AI world:

"The only way to get other people to want to team up with you is for you to authentically and deeply be a person who is motivated by creating value in the other. If you are not that way, you are a bad partner and people will not want to go and team with you."

Key Quotes

• "People used to go to school to learn how to do the homework and do the exams. Today, everyone needs to learn how to grade the homework."
• "For many many years, humans were the top species, the most capable things on this planet. Soon, it will not be that case."
• "The fun part of life is having your own contribution to the life that you live."

Related Reading

• Future of Work - The workforce transformation Loh is preparing students for
• Knowledge Work - The category of work most affected by AI