How to Win with AI in 2025 with GSV’s Deborah Quazzo and Claire Zau

In this episode of Disco's Augmenting Human Potential podcast, Candice Faktor speaks with Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner at GSV Ventures, and Claire Zau, AI Lead at GSV Ventures. They discuss how AI is revolutionizing education and workforce development, from multimodal learning experiences to AI-driven operational efficiencies.

Key Takeaways:

1. AI is Architecting the Future of Learning

The days of passive learning are over. AI is transforming education into a dynamic, multimodal experience where video, audio, and real-time contextual data converge to create hyper-personalized, immersive environments. The best learning organizations are not just adopting AI, they are rebuilding their entire content strategy around it. Companies like Synthesia and HeyGen are pioneering AI-driven video content, offering scalable, deeply engaging learning experiences that feel human. AI is not just an add-on — it’s the foundation for the future of content delivery and learner engagement.

2. AI Agents Are Becoming the Invisible Workforce

Behind the scenes, AI is quietly taking over the operational backbone of learning businesses. Tasks that once required massive human effort - customer support, content management, administrative workflows, are now being handled with near-human sophistication. Klarna’s AI-driven automation has cut customer service costs by up to 90%, proving that AI agents can not only replace repetitive tasks but do them better. AI-driven efficiency is no longer a competitive advantage — it’s table stakes for scaling a modern learning business.

3. The AI-Powered ‘Second Brain’ is Making Knowledge Loss Obsolete

Institutional knowledge loss has long been a challenge for organizations. When employees leave, critical insights leave with them. AI is changing that. AI-powered knowledge systems act as a “second brain”, capturing, structuring, and applying intelligence across organizations. Gong and Chorus are already doing this in sales, analyzing conversations to optimize strategies, while AR-powered AI like Squint is bringing real-time training to manufacturing and retail workers. AI is the key to ensuring institutional knowledge is never lost — it only gets smarter over time.

4. AI is Redefining the Economics of Learning at Scale

Personalization and scale were once considered opposing forces in education. AI has shattered that limitation. Companies like Physics Wallah are proving that AI-driven adaptive learning can serve tens of thousands of students while maintaining cost-efficiency and engagement - a level of personalization that was previously unimaginable. The organizations that successfully integrate AI into their economic model will lead the next wave of education innovation.

5. The AI Revolution is a Business Imperative, Not an Option

AI is no longer an experimental technology — it’s a business-critical imperative. The companies that thrive will be those that embrace AI in workforce training, decision-making, and operations. The real question is no longer if AI will redefine learning, but how fast organizations can adopt and integrate it.

Top Quotes:

‍“AI is not just enhancing learning — it’s redefining it. AI is air; it’s everywhere, and it’s fundamentally changing how we teach, train, and grow.” - Deborah Quazzo

"The best companies aren’t just adopting AI — they’re re-architecting their entire learning and operations strategy around it." - Claire Zau

"Companies that integrate AI into their learning economics will be able to scale at an unprecedented level while maintaining deep personalization." - Deborah Quazzo

"AI isn’t replacing people — it’s eliminating the repetitive work, so humans can focus on what truly matters." - Claire Zau

"The next generation won’t ask if AI should be used in learning. They’ll expect it as a fundamental part of the experience." - Candice Faktor