Edtech Insiders

Send us Fan MailKristin Vincent is VP of Product at Learning Commons, where she leads teams focused on scaling proven teaching and learning practices. She has spent 20 years building Edtech products, including leadership roles at Pearson and K12.com/Strive.Brian Johnsrud, PhD is OpenAI's Global Head of Educational Engagement. A former K-12 teacher, college lecturer, and education technology researcher, he focuses on helping educators and students use AI to build skills, agency, and new possibilities for learning.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack New York City and Los Angeles school AI restrictions, the launch of a new AI tutor from Aristotle, and how Salesforce is supporting educators, students, and career pathways in the AI era.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:01:57] AI, cognitive offloading, and the future of learning[00:06:21] New York City restricts student-facing AI tools in schools[00:11:13] AI, edtech, and the growing technology backlash[00:15:08] The paradox of banning AI in schools[00:22:58] AI policy across New York, Los Angeles, and Miami-DadePlus, special guests:[00:33:49] Shan Reddy and Vivek Vajipey, Co-founders of Aristotle, on building an AI tutor designed around pedagogy and student learning[01:01:15] Dr. Ron C. Smith, VP of Philanthropy at Salesforce, on supporting educators, students, and career pathways in the AI era

Send us Fan MailNils Gilman is Senior Advisor to the Berggruen Institute, an intellectual historian by training and a widely published essayist on the future of higher education and AI's impact on work and learning. His writing has appeared in Noema, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, and many other venues. He holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. from UC Berkeley.Hosted by Matthew RascoffThis episode is part of the Edtech Insiders HigherEd Podcast Series, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher education.

Send us Fan MailEmily Freitag is Co-founder and CEO of Instruction Partners, a nonprofit focused on strengthening instructional leadership and support for educators. She previously served as Assistant Commissioner of Curriculum and Instruction for the Tennessee Department of Education and began her career as a seventh-grade math teacher in Louisiana.

Send us Fan MailVinitra Swamy is the CEO and Co-founder of Scholé AI, a UC Berkeley and EPFL spinoff building AI-native learning for the future of work. A former Microsoft AI engineer and AI-for-education PhD, she focuses on bringing learning science, personalization, and AI together to transform adult learning.

Send us Fan MailPaul LeBlanc is the former president of Southern New Hampshire University, the largest non-profit provider of online higher education in the country. His new book, Reclaiming Purpose: The University in an AI World, examines how higher education can respond proactively to leverage the rise of artificial intelligence and reconnect to its essential task of helping students discover lives of purpose. Hosted by Matthew RascoffThis episode is part of the Edtech Insiders HigherEd Podcast Series, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher education.

Send us Fan MailNir Zicherman is the CEO of Oboe. Oboe's mission is to teach one billion people one trillion things. In 2015, Nir co-founded Anchor, which grew to become the world's largest podcasting platform. After Spotify acquired Anchor in 2019, he led Spotify's expansion into audiobooks as VP of Audiobooks.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down new federal guidance on edtech evidence and efficacy, the growing backlash against AI and big tech in schools, Harvard's AI faculty avatars, and MIT's evolving approach to teaching and learning in the AI era.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:04:47] U.S. Department of Education issues edtech evidence guidance[00:14:21] AI tutoring research highlights mastery-based learning[00:16:36] The growing backlash against AI and big tech in schools[00:19:02] OpenAI announces 55 school district partnerships[00:20:50] Should big tech be in schools?[00:29:57] Harvard launches AI faculty avatars for student practice[00:35:41] MIT rethinks teaching and assessment for the AI eraPlus, special guests:[00:39:42] Carl Madi, Co-founder and CEO of Stepful, on expanding healthcare career pathways through employer partnerships, AI-powered assessment, and scalable workforce training[00:56:46] Manny Smith, Founder and CEO of EdVisorly, on modernizing college admissions and transfer through AI-powered enrollment operations and more transparent pathways for students

Send us Fan MailDr. Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich founded Newstate University in 2026, bringing 20+ years of education leadership from executive roles at SkillsWave, Pearson, LSU and SNHU. She holds a PhD from Kent State and authored "The Power Worker" and "How to Grow Enrollment in Online Higher Education."Hosted by Matthew Rascoff This episode is part of the Edtech Insiders HigherEd Podcast Series, featuring conversations with leaders shaping the future of higher education.

Send us Fan MailAneesh Sohoni is CEO of Teach For America and a former high school English teacher and TFA corps member. He has also led TFA Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and One Million Degrees.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, Edtech investment, the growing tech backlash, and the future of assessment.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:05:47] ChatGPT for Teens introduces new safety and learning features[00:11:29] Generalized AI models raise new challenges for Edtech companies[00:13:47] OpenAI partners with CodeAI on AI learning and youth safety[00:17:07] Reach Capital launches a new $265M fund focused on early-stage companies[00:23:32] B2B vs. B2C: New dynamics reshape Edtech investment[00:25:12] Hugh Grant and Closed Screens Open Minds fuel the Edtech backlash[00:27:46] Why Edtech needs to put education first and technology secondPlus, special guests:[00:32:28] Sabine Wallis, General Manager of NWEA, on assessment, learning science, and using data to drive instruction. [00:51:23] Andy Rotherham and Marisa Mission, of Bellwether, on AI in education, EdTech quality, market sustainability, and designing for productive struggle.

Send us Fan MailTony Wan is Head of Platform at Reach Capital and co-founder and former managing editor of EdSurge. Betsy Corcoran is a writer, speaker, serial entrepreneur, and co-founder of EdSurge who explores AI and learning through her work and podcast, Future Fluent.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping educator confidence, tutoring, higher ed grading, AI models, education policy, and AI workforce development.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:47] Edtech Insiders heads to Teach For America's 35th anniversary[00:05:19] HMH survey shows educator AI adoption reaches 80%[00:08:45] Varsity Tutors exits school-based tutoring[00:11:46] What makes tutoring effective?[00:13:00] MIT drops freshman grades as Harvard tightens grading[00:15:06] AI reshapes academic integrity and assessment[00:17:41] AI cheating accelerates competency-based learning[00:19:52] Open vs. closed AI models heats up[00:23:53] Could AI become a public utility?[00:28:11] New benchmarks measure AI tutoring effectivenessPlus, special guests:[00:29:40] Reg Leichty, Founding Partner of Foresight Law + Policy, on screen time and AI regulation [00:47:26] Mike Wales, Senior Director of AI Programs at CodePath, and Madison McCormick, CodePath leader, on AI apprenticeships and workforce development 

Send us Fan MailJomayra Herrera is a Partner at Reach Capital, an early-stage venture fund investing across learning, health, and work. Previously, she worked at Emerson Collective and Cowboy Ventures, investing in companies including Handshake, Guild, Contra, and Career Karma.

Send us Fan MailJoy Delizo-Osborne is President and CEO of Student Achievement Partners, where she works to improve instructional quality and connect evidence-based practices with curriculum and edtech. A former teacher, instructional coach, and principal, Joy brings more than 20 years of experience in education.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping higher education, AI adoption, school technology policy, and the future of learning.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:05:13] Higher ed leadership turnover accelerates amid political, financial, and AI pressures[00:11:00] OpenAI launches new AI tools for college students, professors, and K–12 educators[00:17:27] OpenAI pushes deeper into higher ed with AI-powered academic workflows[00:20:40] AI could reshape university research and accelerate scientific discovery[00:23:55] AI-generated “slop” floods Teachers Pay Teachers[00:25:41] Pew finds growing support for cell phone bans in schools[00:28:39] AI cheating arms race continues as professor catches students using ChatGPT[00:31:37] Students create the Students First Act to establish rules for AI in schools[00:35:27] Student AI policies call for human oversight, transparency, and protections against false accusationsPlus, special guest:[00:41:28] Janice Jackson executive director of the Aspen Institute's Education & Society program, on technology in schools, student voice, equity, trust, and the future of education

Send us Fan MailEdna Martinson is the Co-founder and COO of Boddle Learning, a gamified K–6 learning platform used by millions of students to build confidence in math, literacy, and science. She is passionate about combining great game design with research-backed learning experiences that teachers and students love.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech investment, philanthropy, the future of work, and AI-powered learning.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:33] Bridges AI Summit brings district leaders together to discuss AI adoption, pilots, and edtech purchasing[00:05:19] Imagi raises $4.5M with backing from OpenAI, Lovable, Will.i.am, Kahoot!, and ElevenLabs[00:09:18] AI, cross-sector platforms, and portfolio consolidation drive edtech investment trends[00:10:40] Gates Foundation leadership shakeup signals a new chapter for education philanthropy[00:15:45] Gates Foundation and the future of philanthropy in an era of AI wealth[00:20:30] OpenAI report explores how AI is expanding workers' roles beyond traditional job boundaries[00:21:00] OpenAI launches a campus leaders program to build student communities around AI tools[00:31:00] Y Combinator calls for startups building personalized AI tutors[00:37:35] Coursera invests $100M in a new AI-native learning company founded by Andrew Ng[00:41:15] Time's top edtech companies list sparks debate over how the industry is rankedPlus, special guests:[00:44:39] Kavitta Ghai, CEO and Co-founder of Nectir, on AI in higher ed and K–12, student outcomes, and privacy[01:00:13] Aidan McDowell, Founder and CEO of UniqLearn, on personalized learning, career exploration, and student curiosity

Send us Fan MailInside Columbia's First EdTech Showcase, Alex Sarlin sits down with the founders and leaders behind the inaugural Columbia EdTech Showcase to explore the startups, ideas, and innovations shaping the future of learning from AI-powered discussion tools to health education, learning science, and content curation.

Send us Fan MailDrew Bent leads Education at Anthropic, where he oversees education initiatives including Claude for Teachers. A former math teacher, Khan Academy engineer, and co-founder of Schoolhouse.world, Drew focuses on applying AI to improve teaching and learning.Sandra Liu Huang is President of Learning Commons, where she leads the development of open AI datasets and learning science infrastructure for education. She previously held product leadership roles at Google, Facebook, and Quora.

Send us Fan MailJulie Young is the Founding CEO of Florida Virtual School (FLVS), where she helped pioneer online public education and expand access to millions of learners. She later founded ASU Prep Digital and is the author of Say Yes: How Virtual Became Reality, continuing to shape the future of student-centered learning.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they discuss the latest developments in education technology, from growing AI skepticism in schools and major policy shifts to Anthropic's education strategy and conversations with founders tackling literacy and AI tutoring.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:05:49] New York City pauses AI procurement across its school system[00:11:28] New study questions AI's impact on teaching quality and student engagement[00:18:00] Norway introduces strict limits on generative AI for younger students[00:21:41] Anthropic launches Claude for Teachers with major edtech partnerships[00:23:27] Why partnerships and AI ecosystems may define the future of edtech[00:30:52] How AI infrastructure could help smaller edtech companies compete[00:33:31] Learning Commons and connected platforms point toward a more integrated edtech ecosystemPlus, special guests:[00:37:40] Louise Baigelman, Founder & CEO of Storyshares, on expanding adolescent literacy beyond the science of reading[01:01:02] Ashish Bansal, Founder & CEO of StarSpark.AI, on building AI tutors that promote learning instead of answer-giving

Send us Fan MailMichael Preston, Executive Director, Medha Tare, Senior Director of Research, and Liza Gak, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, are leading researchers focused on child-centered educational technology. Together, they are helping edtech organizations design better products by combining learning science, participatory co-design, and thoughtful approaches to AI.

Send us Fan MailSue Khim is the Co-founder and CEO of Brilliant, the interactive learning platform that has helped millions of learners build deep understanding in math, science, and computer science. In this episode, she shares how Brilliant's new AI tutor, Koji, is designed to develop critical thinking rather than simply provide answers.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they cover major edtech acquisitions, the biggest AI announcements from ISTE, the future of assessment, and how AI is reshaping teaching and learning.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:04:15] ETS acquires ACT, reshaping the future of assessment and college admissions[00:08:02] Handshake acquires Uplimit to expand AI upskilling and workforce learning[00:11:55] The debate over screen-free learning and the rise of Yoto[00:17:41] ISTE rebrands and launches a new Edtech Index[00:19:07] Google unveils Gemini Notebooks and new AI tools for classrooms[00:21:10] MagicSchool and Brisk expand their AI platforms for schools[00:27:15] Microsoft survey finds AI adoption reaches 92% of students and 88% of educatorsPlus, special guests:[00:32:10] Karlo Young, CEO of Teachstone, on why human relationships remain the foundation of great teaching in the age of AI[00:53:46] Tom Sayer, Co-founder and CEO of Ello, on building AI tutors that teach like great educators

Send us Fan MailSmita Saxena is the Founder of Maestro, an AI coaching platform helping K-12 STEM teachers improve instruction and student outcomes. Alexia Lewis is an 8th Grade Algebra I teacher at KIPP Polaris and a Maestro coach whose students achieved remarkable gains using the platform.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest host Daniela Pico, Head of Platform at Forum Ventures, as they discuss the AI backlash, workforce transformation, AI literacy, social media regulation, and the evolving future of education technology.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:37] Anthropic launches a $150M Claude Core fellowship program for AI workforce development[00:09:09] Why organizations need AI implementation strategies and not just AI licenses[00:15:13] The rise of dedicated AI teams and AI leadership inside organizations[00:16:35] OECD and the European Commission introduce an AI literacy framework for K–12[00:26:10] Bradley County Schools wins a $27M social media lawsuit against major tech platforms[00:29:12] Why edtech should not be conflated with social media and screen time[00:37:15] The decline of EdSurge and what it means for edtech journalism[00:44:37] AI backlash grows as mainstream media shapes public perception[00:49:29] Rebuilding trust in AI through thoughtful implementation and educationPlus, special guests:[00:58:32] Dr. Ran Liu, Chief AI Scientist at Amira Learning, on the evolution of AI-powered reading tutors and the future of intelligent tutoring systems[01:18:39] Antonio Pietri, CEO of PowerSchool, on rebuilding trust, strengthening cybersecurity, and the future of AI in K–12 education

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest co-host Gemma Lenowitz Picot of Samvid Ventures as they break down the latest developments in AI, workforce development, edtech adoption, and education policy.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:26] OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic expand AI workforce training initiatives[00:10:30] Data center investments create new opportunities for workforce development[00:15:59] Anthropic launches Claude Core to help nonprofits adopt AI[00:21:00] AI safety concerns raise questions about education-specific AI models[00:27:23] Khanmigo tops the new EdTech AI Visibility Index[00:33:40] Teacher requests for AI tools on DonorsChoose have tripled[00:38:26] AI adoption may accelerate growth in microschools and school choice[00:41:22] UK proposes banning social media access for children under 16[00:42:37] UK expands AI tutoring access for low-income students[00:50:18] Satya Nadella introduces the concept of AI-powered organizational learning loopsPlus, special guests:[00:54:02] Tom ap Simon, President of Higher Education and Virtual Learning at Pearson, on AI readiness, career pathways, and workforce outcomes [01:16:03] France Hoang, Founder and CEO of BoodleBox, on AI collaboration, financial literacy, and preparing learners for an AI-powered future 

Send us Fan MailAnthony Salcito is President & GM of Enterprise at Coursera, where he leads partnerships with enterprises, universities, and governments to build job-relevant skills at scale. Previously, he held leadership roles at Microsoft and Nerdy (Varsity Tutors), and has spent his career at the intersection of technology, education, and workforce development.

Send us Fan MailGeorge Siemens is the Chief AI & Innovation Officer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and one of the most influential learning theorists in modern education. He is the creator of Connectivism, co-creator of the first MOOC, and a leading voice on how AI is reshaping learning, higher education, and knowledge itself.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and special guest co-host Thomas Rodgers of Whiteboard Advisors as they explore the latest developments in AI, edtech policy, learning outcomes, cybersecurity, and the future of AI-powered education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:39] Anthropic's Claude Fable launch sparks discussion about the next generation of AI capabilities[00:09:07] Meta launches a workforce academy initiative focused on data center and skilled trade careers[00:17:47] The growing edtech and AI “techlash” raises questions about technology's role in schools[00:20:01] Why screen-time debates often overlook the quality of technology use in classrooms[00:29:50] New NAEP results show recovery among 9-year-olds but continued challenges for older students[00:30:38] Reading for fun among 13-year-olds continues its long-term decline[00:33:23] Code.org rebrands as CodeAI, signaling a broader shift toward AI literacyPlus, special guests:[00:34:57] Yi Ng, Founder of Curiosities AI, on designing AI that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills[01:11:23] Dr. Rob Abel, Former CEO of 1EdTech and Founder of EdTech Futures, on the Instructure Canvas breach, cybersecurity risks, and accountability in edtech infrastructure

Send us Fan MailIn this special crossover episode, Edtech Insiders host Ben Kornell joins Allison Salisbury, author of The Humanist, for a wide-ranging conversation about AI, education, workforce development, and the future of learning. Together, they explore how AI could reshape assessment, personalized learning, school design, and the skills students will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and guest co-host Matt Tower of Whiteboard Advisors as they explore the latest developments in AI, workforce learning, edtech innovation, and literacy instruction.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:24] OpenAI, Anthropic, and xAI prepare for potential IPOs[00:07:45] Anthropic surpasses OpenAI in valuation as enterprise AI adoption grows[00:08:59] Byju Raveendran's legal challenges raise questions about edtech governance[00:11:23] Handshake's growth contrasts with Chegg's struggles in the AI era[00:14:03] Coursera, Udemy, and the future of AI-driven workforce upskilling[00:19:10] The debate over AI's impact on jobs, careers, and the labor market[00:25:41] AI enables the rise of highly scalable one-person companies[00:27:32] The emergence of “purple collar” jobs in the AI economy[00:31:45] Why AI upskilling may be the biggest opportunity in education[00:33:34] OpenAI expands higher education partnerships across major university systems[00:38:33] Embedded learning and AI-powered skill development inside workplace tools[00:40:48] Balancing educational technology benefits with screen-time concernsPlus, special guests:[00:42:12] Vikas Pota, Founder of T4 Education, on the Global EdTech Prize, educator-led innovation, and the opportunities and risks of AI in education[00:57:30] Keri Dixon, CEO of Wilson Language Training, on the science of reading, structured literacy implementation, and AI as a tool to support effective teaching

Send us Fan MailLisa Gevelber is the founder and leader of Grow with Google, Google's economic opportunity initiative focused on helping people build skills, careers, and businesses. Through Google Career Certificates and AI training programs, she has helped millions of learners develop workforce-ready skills and navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they discuss the growing backlash against AI and screen time in schools, the launch of a federal education tax credit, promising new evidence for AI-powered remediation, workforce disruption from AI, and the future of higher education with Noah Pickus of Duke University.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:40] AFT shifts its position on AI and screen time in schools[00:07:25] i-Ready faces growing parent backlash despite strong adoption and efficacy data[00:13:36] New federal Education Freedom Tax Credit could accelerate school choice and supplemental learning[00:17:46] Education savings accounts create new opportunities for edtech business models[00:20:09] New research highlights AI's potential to help students catch up academically[00:23:16] Guided practice emerges as a promising framework for AI-powered learning[00:24:56] Survey finds 99% of executives expect AI-driven workforce reductions within two years[00:31:29] Anthropic's rapid growth reshapes the competitive landscape for generative AIPlus, special guests:[00:35:39] Noah Pickus, Head of Global Strategy and Partnerships and Senior Advisor to the Provost at Duke University, on the Future Universities Alliance and reimagining higher education globally

Send us Fan MailSam Olivieri is the CEO of and has spent more than two decades expanding educational opportunity through leadership roles at GreatSchools, Entangled Solutions, and Guild Education. Daniel Halper is Co-Founder of Step Up Tutoring and leads Step Up AI Labs, where he develops AI-powered tools that help novice tutors deliver high-impact instruction at scale.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they explore the growing backlash against AI in education, the race to build AI-native learning systems, and the shifting future of edtech, workforce learning, and global education policy.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:18] Reflections and takeaways from this year's ASU+GSV Summit [00:05:16] Gen Z backlash against AI grows at college commencements [00:08:06] China's practical AI rollout contrasts with the U.S. race toward AGI [00:15:09] Anthropic and Gates Foundation launch a $200M AI education partnership [00:23:02] Debate over the future and business model of AI tutoring [00:29:25] OpenAI expands its “Education for Countries” initiative [00:37:28] New education tax credits could shift spending power to families [00:42:15] Google, Meta, and Apple push AI glasses and XR learning forward [00:48:40] AI simulations gain traction in workforce training [00:51:06] Multiverse raises $70M for AI-driven workforce upskilling Plus, special guests:[00:55:51] Angel Chung, PhD Candidate at The Wharton School, on proactive AI tutoring systems and new research showing measurable learning gains for students using adaptive AI guidance[01:18:08] David Rogier, Founder and CEO of MasterClass, on AI-powered learning, the future of higher education, and MasterClass Executive — developed alongside OpenAI & Chicago Booth to explore the future of AI-native business education.Learn more here: https://www.masterclass.com/booth-ai

Send us Fan MailJason Katcher is the Global Education Channel Lead at Superhuman, where he focuses on scaling AI-powered productivity and communication tools across education through strategic partnerships. Previously at Google, Dropbox, and multiple edtech startups, Jason brings deep experience in education technology, AI adoption, and go-to-market strategy.

Send us Fan MailJoin host Ben Kornell for a special episode featuring leaders across digital literacy, AI-native schooling, student support, and curriculum innovation in K–12 education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:10] Lisa O'Masta, CEO of Learning.com, on why digital literacy and AI literacy must start in elementary school[00:18:34] Aaron Feuer, CEO and Co-founder of Panorama Education, reflects on building Panorama into a platform serving one in four U.S. students[00:32:34] Larisa Hovannisian, Founder and CEO at Armenia Education Initiative, explains why Armenia is positioned to leapfrog legacy education systems[00:43:50] Alexandra Walsh, Chief Product Officer at Amplify, discusses bringing classroom experience into product leadership

Send us Fan MailKumar Garg is the President of Renaissance Philanthropy, where he leads thesis-driven philanthropic funds focused on major global challenges. Previously, he worked in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and helped build Eric Schmidt's science and tech initiatives.

Send us Fan MailStephen Jull is the Global Head of AI and Educational Technology at Teach For All, leading efforts to connect educators with frontier AI labs. He's joined by Maruf Hasan, a Bangladesh-based educator building AI tools in low-resource settings, and Sean McWeeney, a UK teacher focused on AI's impact in high-need schools.

Send us Fan MailAt the Kira 2.0 launch event in New York City, Sarah Morin captures rapid-fire insights from educators, administrators, and edtech leaders reacting in real time to one of the most ambitious AI learning platforms to date.

Send us Fan MailTed Dintersmith is an education advocate, author, and filmmaker who has spent the past 15 years working alongside educators to rethink what learning should look like in the modern world. He has visited more than 200 schools across all 50 states, listening to teachers and students and studying approaches that prepare young people for real life beyond tests.

Send us Fan MailSteve Tapp is the CEO of ACT, a leading nonprofit assessment organization best known for the ACT college admissions test. With over 30 years of experience in assessments across education, professional certification, and workforce testing, he previously led PSI Services and Lifelong Learner Holdings, helping scale global assessment platforms.

Send us Fan MailChase Rigby is the CEO of Tassel, a platform modernizing graduation experiences for universities worldwide. A former Google PM and Chief Product Officer at Canopy, his career sits at the intersection of education, technology, and product innovation.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and guest co-host Matt Tower, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, edtech efficacy, cybersecurity, and the future of work in education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:33] Rapid rise of AI-generated “vibe coding” raises concerns about software vulnerabilities and cybersecurity risks[00:02:44] ASU+GSV preview highlights the importance of relationships over deal-making at major edtech gatherings[00:08:26] Anthropic's Mythos model withheld due to its ability to uncover critical security flaws across systems[00:11:37] Growing need for AI systems to defend against AI-driven cybersecurity threats[00:14:18] Schools question edtech effectiveness amid too many tools and limited evidence of impact[00:15:23] Debate over screen time intensifies as some classrooms move toward eliminating devices[00:20:47] Discussion on whether smaller, more personalized school models better serve students[00:26:08] OpenAI faces leadership changes and increasing competition from Anthropic and Google[00:30:30] Big Tech's varying levels of investment in education reshape the competitive landscape[00:33:25] AI disrupts entry-level job markets, raising concerns about college graduate employment[00:36:12] Future workforce will demand adaptability, entrepreneurship, and continuous learningPlus, special guest:[00:37:34] Yoon Yang, CEO and Co-founder of Pensive, on AI-powered grading and personalized tutoring in higher education

Send us Fan MailBrandon Cardet-Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Medley Learning, a platform building AI-powered scaffolding tools for multilingual learners. A former multilingual learner himself, Brandon has served as a teacher, turnaround principal, Boston School Committee member, NYC education advisor, and edtech leader. His work focuses on closing the access gap, not lowering expectations.

Send us Fan MailDr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor is a Stanford-trained scholar and a leader in AI education. With a unique ability to understand how people think, she helps experts translate deep human knowledge into AI-ready systems. She designs AI curricula and training programs that empower individuals and organizations, while also leading in community arts and muralism. Learn more about her work at www.magdalenagross.com.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Ben Kornell and special co-host Steve Shapiro, Founder of Finetune.AI, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, workforce disruption, K–12 policy, and the future of higher education. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:05:10] NVIDIA signals the shift from AI experimentation to a full-scale platform “land grab” [00:08:19] Early signs of AI-driven productivity gains point to real workforce disruption [00:13:16] Governments invest in AI retraining, labor upskilling, and workforce preparedness [00:15:27] Apprenticeships emerge as a critical pathway as entry-level jobs decline [00:17:17] AI “agent armies” could make one-person businesses more viable than ever [00:19:23] Schools balance AI literacy initiatives with rising pressure for screen bans [00:21:23] Debate grows over big tech's responsibility in supporting education systems [00:24:14] Media backlash questions edtech's impact on student learning outcomes [00:28:00] School choice expands rapidly, with mixed impacts across states [00:32:09] ASU highlighted as a leading model for AI-ready higher education [00:34:10] Edtech funding shifts to more deals with smaller check sizes [00:36:01] Startups scale faster with less capital due to AI-powered development [00:37:41] Optimism grows for edtech innovation over the next 12–24 monthsPlus, special guests: [00:38:59] Aaron Cuny, CEO of AI for Equity, on building AI leadership capacity in school systems [01:06:39] Joshua Broggi, CEO and Founder of Woolf, on rethinking higher education with competency-based models

Send us Fan MailMindy Sjoblom is the Founder and CEO of OnYourMark, a research-backed virtual tutoring organization serving thousands of elementary students nationwide. Catherine Tierney is Head of Product and Program at OnYourMark, bringing deep experience from Match Education, MyCoach, and ThinkCERCA to the design of human-centered, evidence-based learning technology.

Send us Fan MailJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology, from OpenAI's push into interactive learning to new research on AI efficacy, growing AI backlash, and rising cybersecurity threats in K–12 schools.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:05:30] OpenAI launches a new suite of 70+ interactive science and math learning experiences built on cognitive science and visual learning principles [00:12:22] Stanford and SCALE release a meta-analysis of 800+ AI education studies finding only 20 with strong causal evidence of learning impact [00:19:44] Growing backlash against AI, screen time, and edtech as public concern rises about technology's impact on children and learning [00:21:10] Clever report finds more than half of school districts have experienced cyberattacks and 81% believe AI is increasing cybersecurity riskPlus, special guest:[00:29:19] Oliver Page, Co-founder and CEO of CyberNut, on why K–12 schools are uniquely vulnerable to phishing attacks and cyber threats