What if AI Teaches You AI

Data Neighbor Podcast

0:00

-1:04:04

What if AI Teaches You AI

And why it's not as weird as it sounds

, and

Apr 18, 2025

In this episode of the Data Neighbor Podcast, we sit down with Jess Haberman, Director of Product Content at Anaconda and former senior editor at O’Reilly Media, to explore how AI is turning the world of education upside down.

We cover:

How AI tools are accelerating the learning process like never before
Why traditional bootcamps and long-form curricula are struggling to keep up
The explosion of counterfeit learning content—and how to find what’s real
The new “soft skills” that are becoming career differentiators in the AI era
Hacks for learning faster, networking smarter, and staying sharp
Why prompt engineering is now a must-have skill
The future of AI instructors, GenAI in the workplace, and the evolving role of communication in tech careers

Jess also shares her personal journey from editing cookbooks and hiking guides to helping shape the next generation of Python and AI learners at Anaconda. It’s a timely and insightful conversation about what it means to grow your skills in a world where AI is both the tool and the terrain.

Key Takeaways

AI accelerates learning, but curation matters: Tools like ChatGPT can speed up education - but finding trustworthy sources is more critical than ever.
Prompting is a skill: Whether you're debugging code or rewriting Slack messages, how you ask matters.
Learning isn't linear anymore: Micro-learning, on-demand formats, and personalization are replacing “12-week course” models.
Communication is the killer skill: In a world where AI writes, solves, and searches for you, being able to connect and collaborate is your edge.
Network your way to knowledge: From LinkedIn to meetups, the best learning hack may be building real human relationships.

Chapters

0:00 AI Is Reshaping Education
2:27 Meet Jess Haberman
4:18 Why Learning Is Getting Faster
6:59 The Rise of Prompt Engineering
10:00 Bootcamps vs Microlearning
15:26 Can AI Replace Instructors?
19:09 AI Content Flood: Trust & Quality
23:21 How to Vet Learning Resources
28:53 The Importance of Goal-Driven Learning
30:35 Jess’s Journey from Publishing to Anaconda
34:47 Lessons from Strata and O’Reilly
41:06 AI, Innovation, and Big Tech
44:56 Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
47:23 Evergreen Skills for the AI Age
50:18 Smart Uses of GenAI at Work
54:44 Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever
56:21 Economic Cycles and the Upskilling Surge
58:52 Jess’s Top Learning Hack