Campus, an edtech startup backed by notable investors including Sam Altman, has officially announced its acquisition of Sizzle AI, an artificial intelligence learning platform founded by former Meta VP Jerome Pesenti. This strategic move aims to significantly accelerate Campus's engineering roadmap, with founder and Chancellor Tade Oyerinde stating that the acquisition advances their progress by 2-3 years, citing Sizzle AI's superior AI team and infrastructure in the education sector.

Sizzle AI developed an innovative AI learning app that has already garnered over 1.7 million users, providing students with interactive, AI-generated content to assist in learning and practicing various subjects. Campus plans to integrate this advanced technology to empower students, helping them maintain their academic progress and overcome challenges throughout their educational journey.

Jerome Pesenti, now serving as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Campus following the acquisition, articulated his vision for AI in education. He emphasized a shift from using AI to sustain user engagement on social media to harnessing its potential for cultivating thought, encouraging inquiry, and fostering deeper human connections. Pesenti brings a wealth of experience, having spent four and a half years as Vice President of AI at Meta Platforms Inc. before founding Sizzle AI. His career began as a Visiting Scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, and he co-founded Vivisimo, a research and innovation startup later acquired by IBM, where he also served as Chief Scientist. He subsequently worked at IBM and Benevolent AI before joining Meta's AI division.

Campus itself has attracted significant investment, raising over $100 million in its Series B round. The edtech startup is supported by a diverse group of top tech investors, including Founders Fund, General Catalyst, Bloomberg Beta, Sam Altman, Shaquille O’Neal, Joe Lonsdale, Jason Citron, and Dylan Field. With this substantial backing and the integration of Sizzle AI's capabilities, Campus is poised to leverage the expertise of machine learning scientists from prestigious institutions like MIT, Harvard, and IBM Watson to lead its engineering efforts.

Campus is dedicated to making affordable education accessible, offering online programs designed to serve as a rapid launchpad into a career or a four-year degree. The company provides live online classes taught by leading professors, coupled with dedicated advisors and on-demand tutoring, aiming to deliver a comprehensive and supportive learning environment for its students.