AI Is Not the Shortcut: Peter Harris on Reps, Rigor, and What Makes Graduates Unreplaceable
In this episode of the Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach is joined by Peter Harris to unpack a hard truth about AI in education: tools don’t replace mastery—practice does.
Peter introduces the idea of “reps” as the foundation of real expertise. Whether it’s building 100 financial models by hand or defending an investment thesis out loud, deep understanding only comes from repeated, manual engagement. AI can accelerate learning—but only if it’s used as a coach, not a crutch.
This conversation dives into:
- Why experiential learning beats textbook theory
- The difference between outsourcing thinking vs. sharpening it with AI
- Why verbal accountability is becoming the most honest form of assessment
- How AI is reshaping the workforce toward orchestration, not task execution
- Why liberal arts skills—psychology, judgment, communication—are becoming more valuable, not less
- What educators must redesign now to ensure students can explain, not just submit, their work
For educators, employers, and students alike, this episode is a wake-up call: in an AI-accelerated world, understanding beats output—and reps still matter.
