Campus, a college startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, has hired Meta’s former AI Vice President Jerome Pesenti as its chief technology officer and acquired his AI learning platform Sizzle AI for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition integrates personalized AI-generated educational content already serving 1.7 million users and accelerates Campus’s development timeline by two to three years as the company works to disrupt traditional community college education.
What you should know: Campus operates as an accredited online college offering associate degrees taught by professors from elite universities like Stanford, Princeton, and NYU.
- The platform serves over 3,000 enrolled students at $7,320 per academic year and accepts Pell Grants.
- Students receive comprehensive support including laptops, mobile Wi-Fi, personal success coaches, and 24/7 tutoring access.
- Professors earn upwards of $8,000 per course, significantly more than typical adjunct compensation.
The big picture: Pesenti’s Sizzle AI platform brings proven AI-powered personalization technology that can tailor learning experiences to individual student needs, addressing a key challenge in scaling quality education.
- The acquisition allows Campus to integrate sophisticated AI learning tools without building them from scratch.
- Founder and Chancellor Tade Oyerinde called the move “a game changer” that advances their roadmap by multiple years.
Who else is involved: Campus has assembled notable backing from both Silicon Valley and entertainment figures, raising over $100 million from high-profile investors.
- Key investors include Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund, General Catalyst, venture capitalist Joe Lonsdale (Palantir co-founder), and Figma CEO Dylan Field.
- NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s investment adds celebrity credibility to the education technology venture.
Why this matters: The move positions Campus to leverage proven AI technology for personalized learning at scale, potentially reshaping how affordable higher education is delivered to underserved communities who typically rely on community colleges for accessible degree programs.
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