Sal Khan Named NASBE’s 2024 Friend of Education

Alexandria, VA—Khan Academy founder Salman “Sal” Amin Khan is being honored as the 2024 Friend of Education by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). This national award is given annually to an individual or organization whose contributions to preK-12 education are significant and enduring.

Khan Academy is an educational nonprofit on a mission to “provide free, world-class education to anyone, anywhere.” What began with tutoring Khan’s young cousin has grown into an organization that serves more than 170 million registered users worldwide, offering lessons in more than 50 languages across a wide range of subjects, from math and science to financial literacy and SAT preparation. In 2009, Khan left his career as a hedge fund analyst to lead Khan Academy full time. It now includes Khanmigo, a pilot artificial intelligence (AI)–powered tutor and teaching assistant that The Washington Post has praised as “the best model we have for how to develop and implement AI for the public good.”

Khan also founded the Khan Lab School in Silicon Valley; co-founded Schoolhouse.world, a platform for free, small-group tutoring over Zoom; and co-founded Khan World School, a nonprofit online school in association with Arizona State University. He recently published Brave New Words, a book exploring how AI and GPT technology can transform learning, improve student outcomes, and expand access to quality education for all. In it, he emphasizes that “embracing AI in education is not about replacing human interaction but enhancing it with customized and accessible learning tools that encourage creative problem-solving skills and prepare students for an increasingly digital world.”

Born to immigrant parents from India and Bangladesh, Khan’s credentials include degrees from M.I.T. and Harvard University. He has been honored with multiple awards, including the Microsoft Education Award, the Heinz Award for the Human Condition, the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, and the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award of the Republic of India. In 2012, he was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world.

“I’m deeply honored to receive this award from the National Association of State Boards of Education,” Khan said. “At Khan Academy, our mission has always been to make high-quality education accessible to all, and this recognition underscores the importance of that work. I’m grateful to NASBE for continuing to champion innovations like AI that help students unlock their potential while empowering teachers to focus on the very human work of instructing a classroom full of students.”

“Sal Khan’s visionary work with Khan Academy and his commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education globally is truly commendable,” said NASBE President and CEO Paolo DeMaria. “He has helped inspire us to rethink education delivery and continues to help us understand how emerging technologies can enhance teaching and learning. We are honored to present Sal with the 2024 Friend of Education Award.”

NASBE’s awards will be presented at its Annual Conference, October 23–25, 2024, in Louisville, Kentucky.

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