Zoc is a free AI app that acts as a student's personal wingman, making transcriptions, summaries, translations and quizzes from audio it records in class. Founder Jason Seiken says Zoc levels the playing field for students with learning or language differences.
Seiken, a seasoned media executive with whom I worked at AOL in the late 90s, went on to PBS where he was Chief Digital Officer and SVP, Education. He subsequently joined the London Daily Telegraph as Editor-in-Chief. In a recent interview, Seiken told me he and the team at Zoc are on a mission to leverage AI technology for social good. "With Zoc, we envision a future where studying is no longer a high-stress chore, but rather an engaging experience."
The core of Zoc's innovation is its ability to integrate seamlessly into the classroom experience. Students simply open the Zoc app on their phone or laptop during class, and the AI takes over, capturing a full transcript and generating well-organized notes. This eliminates the need for frantic note-taking, allowing students to focus their full attention on the lecture.
But Zoc goes beyond just note-taking. It offers a suite of features designed to enhance the learning process. The platform's tutoring function enables students to quiz themselves on the lecture material, reinforcing their understanding of key concepts. It can even evaluate written essays, providing constructive feedback to help students improve their writing skills.
One of Zoc's standout features is its translation capability. For students whose native language isn't English, Zoc can translate transcripts, notes, and quizzes into 29 different languages. This opens up a world of possibilities for English language learners, who can now access educational content in their preferred language.
"Zoc is great for the average student looking for a leg up," Seiken said. "But the real eye-opener for us during the beta testing was how many students with learning challenges, such as dyslexia and ADHD, told us, 'Wow, this is a game-changer for me. I have such a hard time focusing on the professor and taking notes at the same time. For the first time in my life, I'm able to focus on the lecture, without being distracted by taking notes.' " Zoc's Chief Learning Scientist, Dr. Judy Parker, said that recent studies show that AI tools can significantly improve the learning performance of at-risk students, especially those with learning disabilities. She said they are in the process of conducting a controlled study to measure Zoc's impact on learning.
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing Zoc as a "game-changer." Students with learning challenges have reported that Zoc allows them to focus on the lecture without the distraction of note-taking, leading to a more engaged and effective learning experience. "Zoc has been a great tool in my Arabic classes. It provides transcripts of idiomatic and formal Arabic with wonderful accuracy," said Columbia University student Gabriel Torres.
Zoc has already garnered recognition for its innovative approach, receiving two 2024 Webby nominations in the Experimental & Innovation and Work & Productivity categories. It also earned a Webby Honor in the Responsible AI category, a testament to Seiken's commitment to ethical AI development.
Seiken said the company hired Dr. Parker as chief learning scientist because "we recognized that technology is just one piece of the puzzle - that the only way to accomplish our educational mission is to combine proven and trusted educational frameworks, such as Bloom's Taxonomy, with leading-edge technology"
While Zoc is currently free to use, the company plans to generate revenue through B2B partnerships with universities and educational institutions. Seiken sees a significant opportunity in serving students with learning differences, such as dyslexia, hearing loss, and ADHD, and English language learners. These two market segments receive tens of billions of dollars annually in government and private funding, highlighting the potential for Zoc to make a real impact.
As AI continues to reshape the education landscape, concerns about cheating and academic integrity have been raised. However, Seiken is adamant that Zoc cannot be used as a cheat bot. The platform is designed to enhance the learning process, not replace it. "We built Zoc so the AI component is locked away and can't be accessed for anyone who has cheating in mind," said Seiken. "This is technology at its finest - taking the drudgery out of an ages-old human activity."
