The AI-Powered Edge in Education: How LearningClues Is Enabling Student Success with Co-founder and CEO Dr. Perry Samson
This episode of DisruptED features Dr. Perry Samson, co-founder and CEO of LearningClues, discussing how AI can help address student dropout risk in higher education. With 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of part-time students working while enrolled, LearningClues aims to provide personalized, AI-driven support that meets students where they are. The conversation explores how institutions can leverage this technology without compromising academic integrity or engagement.
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Key takeaways
LearningClues uses AI to identify at-risk students early and deliver personalized academic support.
A large proportion of today's college students balance work and family obligations, limiting study time and increasing dropout risk.
AI-powered tools in education must balance personalization and accessibility with academic integrity.
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As AI continues to reshape education, institutions face a growing challenge in ensuring students succeed without compromising engagement or integrity. Today’s college students are often juggling jobs, family, and coursework, leading to limited study time and increased dropout risk. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 40% of full-time undergraduates and 74% of part-time students were employed while enrolled in 2020, highlighting a growing challenge for student success. Most students now work while supporting themselves through school, which often reduces academic performance and increases the risk of leaving school altogether, amplifying the need for tools that promote efficient and connected learning.
Can AI help students study smarter, without replacing the need to think deeply or learn independently?
This episode of DisruptED, hosted by Darin Francis, features Dr. Perry Samson, Co-founder and CEO of LearningClues. He explains how this AI-powered platform helps students engage more confidently, study more efficiently, and stay connected to their learning over time. The conversation traces Dr. Samson’s journey from atmospheric science professor to edtech entrepreneur and examines how LearningClues is advancing equity, personalization, and long-term student success across diverse learning environments.
Highlights from the episode:
- Reducing Study Barriers Through AI – LearningClues helps students find specific course material fast, offering citations linked to LMS content, lecture videos, and even past courses.
- Supporting Belonging and Persistence – Designed with first-gen and non-traditional students in mind, the platform personalizes study feedback and tracks proficiency to improve course completion.
- Preventing AI Shortcuts and Cheating – A unique “coach mode” prompts reflection instead of direct answers, guiding students through problem-solving to support deeper learning.
Dr. Perry Samson is an award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and technologist known for pioneering work in educational technology and atmospheric sciences. He co-founded Weather Underground, a major weather data platform, and later developed LearningClues, an AI-powered tool that enhances student engagement and personalized learning. As a longtime professor at the University of Michigan and a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, he has led groundbreaking research and innovation at the intersection of science, data, and learning.
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About the author
With 20 years of experience at the intersection of higher education and edtech, Darin Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for driving meaningful change in the sector. Having led teams, crafted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and worked closely with institutions, Darin is uniquely positioned to help edtech companies navigate the complexities of U.S. and Canadian higher education. Darin Francis, based in Detroit, MI, US, is currently a Managing Partner and CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting.
