At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.
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
Send us Fan MailDr. Rachel Book is an education leader at Lincoln Learning Solutions with over 20 years of experience in early childhood and student development. Charlie Thayer, Chief Academic Officer, brings 15+ years in online and blended learning, specializing in scalable, instructionally sound solutions.
Send a textJosh Jones is the CEO of QuantHub, an edtech and workforce company advancing data and AI literacy across K–12, higher education, government, and enterprise. A serial entrepreneur and former data science consultant, Josh has spent decades helping organizations adapt to rapid technological change.
Send a textDean Celaj is the Founder and CEO of GoTeacher, a platform helping school districts understand, manage, and enforce student data privacy. Previously, he founded Akademi.al, an education platform used by over 90% of students in Albania during COVID, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.
Send a textJoin Ben Kornell and guest host Matt Tower as they break down the biggest stories shaping K–12 policy, AI in education, edtech funding, and emerging school models.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:55] FBI raids LAUSD headquarters and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho's home, raising questions about federal investigations and possible ties to the AllHere scandal [00:06:07] The hosts unpack whether the LAUSD probe is about vendor fraud, immigration tensions, or broader political conflict [00:11:06] A provocative Economist headline fuels growing backlash against edtech and classroom screen time [00:16:44] A deeper debate on what education reformers are actually advocating for beyond simply reducing screens [00:19:49] Alpha School, small school models, and whether test scores have become the gateway to deeper learning innovation [00:24:51] Google commits to training 6 million educators in AI, signaling a major investment in teacher-focused AI literacy [00:29:23] Comparing Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic's evolving strategies in the education market [00:31:59] NationGraph raises funding in the procurement intelligence space as edtech infrastructure tools expand [00:34:13] Southern states like Louisiana and Mississippi post notable academic gains, prompting questions about policy and funding modelsPlus, special guest:[00:37:27] Ariella Racco, Founder of CoLab Education, on building dedicated collaboration infrastructure for teachers in the AI era
Send a textGreg Hart is the CEO of Coursera, bringing 25+ years of leadership and technology innovation from Amazon, where he helped develop Alexa and expand Prime Video globally. At Coursera, he leads the company's mission to make learning more engaging, skills-focused, and accessible worldwide.
Send a textJoin hosts Ben Kornell and guest host Peter Stiepleman, host of The Imperfect Leader, as they explore AI in schools, screen-time policy, math reform, higher ed disruption, and the future of assessment integrity.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Peter Stiepleman on leading with “ed, not tech” when implementing AI in schools[00:06:33] Seattle-area student walkout over ChatGPT access sparks debate on AI in classrooms[00:08:11] 26 states advance phone bans and K–5 screen-time legislation[00:10:59] Khan Academy's failed India rollout shows implementation, not tools, drives impact[00:16:26] Whether global systems may leapfrog the U.S. in AI-powered education[00:18:38] AI-supported speech therapy and reading intervention free educators for human connection[00:20:55] Utah's math overhaul ignites debate over data science, calculus acceleration, and rigor[00:27:24] Rural districts innovate through regional collaboration and expanded course access[00:29:14] Higher ed faces declining endowments, enrollment pressure, and early college expansion[00:35:09] Anthropic co-founder argues AI will increase the value of humanities degreesPlus, special guest:[00:39:10] Brandon Smith, CEO of Integrity Advocate, on AI-driven cheating, proctoring reform, and protecting assessment integrity
Send a textPriyank Chodisetti is the Co-founder and CEO of Workback.ai, an AI-powered platform helping edtech organizations achieve accessibility compliance faster and at scale. A repeat founder and former engineering leader at Coursera, Priyank brings firsthand experience navigating the complexity of WCAG standards and ADA requirements.
Send a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack a fast-moving week in education. From AI-native curriculum battles and literacy leadership shifts to voucher surges and national AI pilots reshaping special education. ✨ Episode Highlights:[00:01:48] ASU+GSV preview and the expanding global EdTech ecosystem[00:06:25] The 2026 EdTech AI Map launches with 240+ companies[00:07:14] Brisk introduces AI-powered curriculum integration[00:09:04] The race to own the AI layer in schools[00:13:10] Data ownership becomes the key AI battleground[00:16:59] Kira 2.0 expands into a full AI-native LMS[00:21:16] Texas ESA applications surge past 61,000[00:30:20] UK launches $23M AI pilot for special needs[00:33:40] Microsoft invests in AI teacher training[00:34:59] Google expands Gemini in education[00:35:57] UX emerges as EdTech's new advantage[00:36:43] The AI grad profile prioritizes human skills Plus, special guests:[00:38:33] Karl Rectanus, CEO of Really Great Reading, on literacy outcomes, science of reading implementation, and scaling impact [01:02:22] Dan Meyer, VP of User Growth of Amplify on AI skepticism, social AI in math classrooms, and keeping learning human-centered
Send a textDr. Kathy Weston is one of the leading national experts on parenting, family life and parental engagement in children's lives. In 2018, she established Tooled Up Education, a holistic bank of evidence-based resources for whole-school communities. Tooled Up supports 166 schools in 8 countries, delivering bespoke CPD for educators as well as 'on tap' resource support for parents.
Send us a textAs CEO of ISTE+ASCD, Richard Culatta focuses on shaping innovative learning leaders. He previously served as Rhode Island's Chief Innovation Officer and was appointed by President Obama to lead the US Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology. His book, Digital for Good, helps create conditions for healthy tech use.
Send us a textJoin hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin, joined by special co-host Mike Palmer, host of Trending in Ed, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, K–12 policy, higher education, and the global future of education.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:34] SchoolAI study shows teachers using AI for reasoning and inquiry [00:09:58] Denver Public Schools blocks ChatGPT over safety and privacy concerns [00:12:20] SoftBank invests another $30B in OpenAI as ads roll out [00:13:24] Gemini and Anthropic lead the race for AI in education [00:20:36] China launches nationwide AI literacy for K–12 [00:29:58] Most U.S. states still lack formal AI guidance for schools [00:33:13] Phone bans spread rapidly across schools [00:38:44] Higher ed enrollment rebounds but retention remains weakPlus, special guests:[00:46:19] Jeremy Smith, CEO and Co-founder of pega6, on one-year AI-first career accelerators [01:11:29] Stewart Brown, K–12 Computer Science and AI Literacy Leader at Code4Kids, on CS as a core elementary subject
Send us a textShangyup Kim is the CEO of ZEP QUIZ, the metaverse-based gamified K-12 learning platform. Built AI-driven tools that help teachers motivate students at scale and is expanding across Asia and the U.S. As a former ZEPETO leader, focusing on gamification, futuristic change, and education. Formerly built two Series B companies.Jangwoo Bae is the business developer of ZEP QUIZ, a former English teacher and school administrator in Thailand during COVID-19. Recognized the need for educational tools that extend beyond traditional classrooms and the urgent necessity for digital transformation in schools, while preserving the fundamental values of learning.
Send us a textJohn Gamba is Entrepreneur in Residence at Catalyst @ Penn GSE, where he mentors education entrepreneurs and leads the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition. Over 17 years, the competition has awarded $2M to ventures that have gone on to raise more than $200M in follow-on funding, with a strong focus on equity and research-to-practice impact.
Send us a textNicole Jarbo is the CEO of 4.0 Schools, one of the nation's leading platforms for early-stage education founders. A former KIPP teacher, Teach For America Corps member, and fintech founder, Nicole brings deep experience across classrooms, startups, philanthropy, and systems-level education change. She is also the host of the award-winning podcast Pitch Playground.
Send us a textDora Palfi is the Co-founder and CEO of imagi, an edtech company reimagining computer science education through creative coding and AI. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Dora has a background in neuroscience, human-computer interaction, and technology, and is a passionate advocate for equitable access to future-ready skills.Special note: Free access to the Lovable × imagi collaboration has been extended through March 31, giving educators and students more time to explore professional AI tools in real classroom settings.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they kick off 2026 with a wide-ranging Week in EdTech conversation covering tech backlash, AI in education, market consolidation, consumer learning tools, and major voices shaping the future of teaching and learning.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Growing tech backlash around screen time, phone bans, and distrust of edtech.[00:03:55] PowerSchool layoffs reflect private equity pressure and profitability focus.[00:06:30] Layoffs highlight the human cost for educators working in edtech.[00:09:04] Screen time skepticism reaches adult learning and professional assessments.[00:10:52] Big Tech ramps up AI competition as Meta, Amazon, and Apple reposition.[00:12:42] Consumer AI learning startups draw VC attention amid edtech valuation gaps.[00:13:58] Funding: Obo raises $16M Series A for AI-generated, multimodal courses.[00:17:16] UX, speed, and multimodality emerge as key edtech differentiators.[00:19:10] Speechify secures NYC schools deal, blending accessibility with consumer-grade UX.[00:21:08] Engagement-first consumer learning apps challenge traditional edtech models.Plus, special guests:[00:23:48] Eli Luberoff, Founder of Desmos Studio, on creative math tools and Desmos Professional.[00:50:28] Rebecca Winthrop, Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Universal Education at The Brookings Institution, on how AI risks currently outweigh benefits for students without better guardrails.
Send us a textJamie Rosenberg is the Founder and Executive Chairman of ClassWallet, a fintech platform modernizing how public education funds are distributed to schools and families. A longtime social impact entrepreneur, he previously founded AdoptAClassroom.org and has spent over two decades focused on getting dollars closer to students.
Send us a textHenry Motte de la Motte is the Founder and CEO of EDGE Tutor, a global tutor outsourcing company supporting over 50 leading education and training organizations. Under his leadership, EDGE Tutor has scaled to 1,000+ teachers across 30+ countries, delivering millions of live tutoring sessions with a focus on quality, reliability, and human-centered learning.
Send us a textIn Part 2 of our year-end reflections, Alex speaks with educators, founders, investors, and platform leaders about what 2026 may bring for AI and learning at scale.
Send us a textNolan Bushnell is the founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese and is widely known as the father of the video game industry. Dr. Leah Hanes is the CEO of ExoDexa, co-author of the ExoDexa Manifesto, and leads the Two Bit Circus Foundation, where she has impacted over 460,000 students through game-based and project-based learning.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Kornell, Michael Horn and Dhawal Shah as they break down major moves in online learning, AI, and higher education shaping the end of 2025.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] Coursera and Udemy announce a $2.5B all-stock merger forming a 175M-learner platform[00:00:30] Michael Horn on Coursera's growing leverage over university partners[00:02:08] Ben Kornell explores Coursera's potential to become a global university [00:05:40] Dhawal Shah explains the financial motivations behind the merger [00:09:54] Michael Horn compares the deal to the 2U–edX acquisition [00:11:54] The hosts discuss channel power and aggregation in edtech [00:16:49] Debate on Coursera's acquisition strategy and platform future [00:21:43] Dhawal Shah on why these businesses may perform better as private companies [00:22:33] Ben Kornell outlines Coursera's two paths: efficiency or AI-led reinvention [00:30:24] Gaps in online learning around mentorship and advanced skills [00:35:29] OpenAI's latest release and rising competition with Google Gemini [00:38:55] Why content and IP still matter in the AI era [00:48:36] Purdue introduces an AI competency requirement for graduatesPlus, special guests: [00:52:54] Isabelle Hau, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, on human-centered and social AI in education
Send us a text2025 was a defining year for AI in education. From rapid adoption to rising educator confidence and growing questions about what comes next.In Part 1 of our year-end reflections and predictions, Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell revisit their 2025 reflections and look ahead to what 2026 may bring for EdTech, AI, and the future of learning.
Send us a textRene Kizilcec is an Associate Professor at Cornell University, where he directs the Cornell Future of Learning Lab and leads the National Tutoring Observatory. His research focuses on learning science, AI in education, and the behavioral and computational factors that shape student success. His work has appeared in Science, PNAS, and other top journals.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Wallerstein, and Matt Tower for Week in Edtech, exploring OpenAI's teacher certifications, kids' online safety legislation, early literacy declines, college admissions pressures, and what remains irreplaceable in education as AI advances.✨ Episode Highlights[00:03:00] OpenAI launches teacher certifications, expanding into K–12 [00:05:00] Big Tech credentials raise control and gatekeeping concerns [00:07:55] Doubts emerge around certifying AI pedagogy [00:12:40] Google and OpenAI intensify competition for schools [00:14:15] Congress advances online safety bills affecting edtech [00:19:15] COPPA changes threaten AI personalization [00:24:05] Parent reading declines deepen literacy gaps [00:26:45] Early childhood remains underfunded despite high impact [00:31:15] College admissions lean further into yield management [00:33:10] AI reshapes admissions essay review [00:36:20] Trust in higher education continues to fall [00:40:40] Education systems face pressure to adapt Plus, special guests: [00:45:30] Maya Bialik, Founder of QuestionWell, and Peter Nilsson, Founder of Athena Lab, on their book Irreplaceable: How AI Changes Everything (and Nothing) in Teaching and Learning [01:11:16] Emily Gill, Co-Founder & COO of LEVRA, on AI simulations for human skills development
Send us a textThis special EdTech Insiders episode, recorded live at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi, spotlights the Global EdTech Prize winners and finalists sharing how they're scaling impact across K–12 learning, teacher AI workflows, and digital skills worldwide.
Send us a textCharlie Hopkins-Brinicombe is the co-founder of Trophy.so, a gamification infrastructure platform helping EdTech and wellness companies build engaging learning experiences in weeks, not months. With a background in product development and motivation design, Charlie focuses on creating scalable systems that boost retention, habit formation, and learner satisfaction.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down the biggest shifts in global edtech. From PhysicsWallah's major IPO to Google–OpenAI competition, higher-ed adoption of AI, and new benchmarks shaping the future of learning. ✨ Episode Highlights [00:07:00] PhysicsWallah's IPO reshapes Indian edtech and signals renewed global momentum [00:15:00] Google and OpenAI escalate the AI race with Gemini 3, Nano Banana Pro, and OpenAI's “garlic” model [00:31:00] Higher education shifts from AI resistance to AI integration across teaching and majors [00:39:00] Rural districts test new connected learning models backed by major tech partners [00:40:00] Learning Agency launches the first Education AI Leaderboard for model benchmarkingPlus, special guests: [00:45:30] Andrew Carlins, Co-Founder & CEO of Songscription on AI-powered music transcription and access[01:01:10] Eric Tao, Founder & CEO of MegaMinds, and Austin Levinson, Director of Learning at MegaMinds on immersive AI simulations for CTE and AI literacy
Send us a textFrank Wu is the Co-founder of Aibrary and a Harvard Kennedy School MPP graduate. He led 20+ edtech and AI investments at TAL, helped build Think Academy in the U.S., and previously taught 3M+ students.Susan Wang is the Chief Growth Officer at Aibrary and a Yale and Harvard Business School alum. She led creator and product operations at TikTok and worked in strategy at TAL, with deep experience scaling edtech products.
Send us a textDr. Sonia Tiwari is a Children's Media Researcher focused on how characters shape learning experiences. With a background spanning animation, game design, and a PhD in Learning Design & Technology, she advises edtech and media companies on ethical, developmentally aligned character design. Her work has been featured at Stanford, Harvard, MIT, UNICEF, and the National Geographic Society.
Send us a textDr. Sarah Johnson is the CEO and President of Teaching Lab and Relay Graduate School of Education, leading their AI-enabled product innovation and educator preparation initiatives. She is joined by Teaching Lab Studio fellows: Riz Malik, creator of Coteach, a curriculum-aligned AI assistant for math teachers; Gautam Thapar, CEO of Enlighten AI, a personalized AI grading and feedback platform; and Louisa Rosenheck, co-lead of NISA and the Tangle & Thrive research project, focused on AI-powered instructional coaching and student engagement.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down OpenAI's unexpected launch of ChatGPT for K–12, Google's accelerating AI momentum, and what these shifts mean for schools, teachers, and the edtech ecosystem.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:03] OpenAI unveils ChatGPT for K–12 educators—secure, curriculum-aware, and free through 2027 [00:03:02] The emerging AI Classroom Wars between OpenAI and Google across major U.S. districts [00:07:36] Google's big week: DeepMind tutoring gains and Gemini 3's multimodal upgrades [00:10:25] How district leaders will navigate growing community divides over AI adoption [00:14:04] What OpenAI's move means for MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Brisk, and other edtech playersPlus, special guests:[00:19:26] Janos Perczel, CEO of Polygence on scaling project-based learning with AI and why TeachLM trains models on authentic student–teacher interactions[00:41:36] Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO of Efekta Education on AI-powered language learning for 4M students and early evidence of major test score gains
Send us a textThis special on-site episode of Edtech Insiders was recorded live at the Google AI for Learning Forum in London on November 14, 2024, where we sat down with leaders shaping Google's next generation of learning tools, including Shantanu Sinha, VP of Google for Education, Tal Oppenheimer, Product Management Director, Google Labs & Learning, Julia Wilkowski, Pedagogy & Learning Sciences Team Lead, Google, and Maureen Heymans, VP & GM, Learning, Google. Together, they share how Google is designing AI-powered tools grounded in learning science and built to scale across classrooms worldwide.
Send us a textBrandon Busteed is the CEO of Edconic and a nationally recognized leader in work-integrated learning. Formerly President of Kaplan University Partners and Head of Education & Workforce Development at Gallup, he has spent his career building bridges between higher education and industry through research, innovation, and large-scale partnerships.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack the breakthroughs and backlash following the Google DeepMind AI for Learning Forum in London—and what it means for the future of edtech.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:30] Google DeepMind's AI for Learning Forum sets a new global tone for learning innovation[00:06:58] Google's “Learn Your Way” tool personalizes entire textbooks with AI[00:08:12] AI video tools like Google Flow redefine classroom content creation[00:13:40] Why this could be the moment for teachers to become AI media creators[00:18:36] Risks of AI-generated video: deepfakes, disinformation, and youth impact[00:22:19] Duolingo stock crashes over 40% amid investor fears of big tech competition[00:23:52] Screen time backlash accelerates: parents turn to screen-free edtech[00:26:14] Why physical math books and comic-style curricula are surging in demand[00:27:35] A wave of screen-free edtech: from LeapFrog alumni to audio-first toolsPlus, special guests:[00:28:51] Michelle Culver, Founder of The Rithm Project, and Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, on the psychological risks of AI companions, building trust in AI tools, and designing for pro-social relationships[00:51:48] Ben Caulfield, CEO of Eedi, shares groundbreaking findings from their Google DeepMind study: AI tutors now match—and sometimes outperform—humans in math instruction, and how Eedi powers the future of scalable, safe AI tutoring.
Send us a textThis special EdTech Insiders episode features the four Shark Tank winners from EdTech Week. Each founder shares how their breakthrough approach is transforming learning, teaching, and workforce development across K–12, higher education, and global training environments.
Send us a textRohan Mahimker is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Prodigy Education, a global leader in digital game-based learning.Rohan launched Prodigy alongside his fellow Co-Founder and Co-CEO Alex Peters in 2011. Today, Prodigy's flagship math game is used by more than 20 million 1st-8th Grade students and is one of the most popular supplemental classroom tools in the United States.
Send us a textMireia Torello is the CEO and co-founder of Aikreate, an EdTech company revolutionizing AI Literacy for students and educators worldwide. With a PhD in Earth Sciences and an Executive MBA from IESE Business School, Mireia brings a unique mix of scientific and entrepreneurial experience. She has led Aikreate through partnerships with schools, universities, and governments and has been recognized at top innovation forums like SXSW EDU and ASU+GSV's Women in AI. Her mission: make AI accessible, ethical, and empowering for the next generation.
Send us a textAdam Mangana is the Co-Founder and CEO of Optima Ed, the first full-time VR homeschool backed by Meta. With over 15 years in edtech leadership, he's pioneering immersive, AI-driven learning experiences that expand access to quality education and reimagine how, where, and why students learn.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they recap a post–New York EdTech Week full of highs and hard truths.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:00:00] Alpha School's backlash and what it reveals about AI-based education. [00:06:58] EdTech's new K–20 alliance with Microsoft and Google for responsible AI. [00:10:09] The risks and lessons from Alpha School's rapid rise and fall. [00:21:53] Chegg cuts 45% of staff amid AI disruption and market pressure. [00:26:01] Kaplan launches AI tools built on 85 years of learner data. [00:31:02] Mem0 raises $23M to build a universal AI memory layer. [00:38:10] Cal State's OpenAI deal sparks debate on Big Tech in higher ed. [00:44:18] The media's anti-AI narrative and its impact on innovation. Plus, special guests:[00:50:24] Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and Jenny Anderson, award-winning journalist and co-author of The Disengaged Teen, on student agency, engagement, and the four learner modes. [01:11:14] Justin Reich, Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, on AI in Schools: Perspectives for the Perplexed and how educators can experiment safely with emerging AI tools.
Send us a textJoe Watt co-founded ECMC Group's Education Impact Fund to back bold ideas expanding equity and opportunity in education. Today, he leads the Fund as Managing Director, shaping how patient, mission-driven capital creates lasting change. He's joined by Atin Batra, a Director at the Fund, who leads investments across the learner journey, bringing a global venture lens and a deep focus on measurable outcomes that improve learner success.
Send us a textIn this special episode, we spotlight the GESAwards, often called the “United Nations of EdTech,” with founder Avi Warshavsky of MindCET and three inspiring finalists from around the world. They share how they're harnessing AI, rethinking prison education, and transforming music learning for millions of students.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology leading into NY EDTECH WEEK, from AI adoption in classrooms to major acquisitions and emerging trends across global EdTech.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:03:39] 85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI this year, sparking concerns about disconnection.[00:05:21] Google's Notebook LM and OpenAI apps mark the next phase of AI-driven learning.[00:10:56] Campus acquires Sizzle AI to accelerate AI-powered associate degrees.[00:17:46] “Combine or Die”: AI startups merge with delivery platforms to stay competitive.[00:20:38] India's EdTech resurgence with new investment from Google, Anthropic, and SpeakX AI.[00:22:16] One in five teens report AI relationships, redefining digital social life.[00:23:40] Computer science shifts from major to essential literacy for all students.[00:28:15] AI's rise mirrors the early internet era as it becomes part of everyday life.Plus, special guests: [00:33:56] Joy Chen, Enterprise Account Manager at HeyGen on how AI avatars are reshaping instructional design and interactive learning. [00:59:55] Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, on creativity, mentorship, and the role of technology in artistic education
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell with guest Anna Edwards of Whiteboard Advisors as they unpack a packed week in education technology. From sweeping cell phone bans to AI reshaping classrooms and colleges, and celebrate a major milestone of 400 episodes of EdTech Insiders!✨ Episode Highlights:[00:00:00] States expand K–12 phone bans over mental health[00:04:29] Federal shutdown hits Title I, Head Start, ED[00:06:28] ICE detains superintendent, raising compliance fears[00:13:25] Why phone bans need digital-literacy support[00:19:25] Higher ed faces international enrollment and funding drops[00:28:41] Harvard grade inflation reignites rigor debate[00:32:32] States pilot graduate profiles and competency shifts[00:38:08] ChatGPT adds apps; Coursera leads edtech uses[00:46:20] Key state and district policy trendsPlus, special guests: [00:46:20] Jim Beasley, Co-founder & Technology Director and Maurie Beasley, Co-founder & Educator, AIEDPro, on AI PD and classroom pilots. [01:16:32] Stacey Brook, Founder & Chief Advisor, College Essay Advisors on College EssAI and ethical AI for essays.
Send us a textDeborah Howes is the President of Howes Studio and a pioneer in digital museum education. With over three decades leading EdTech programs at top cultural institutions including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the Art Institute of Chicago, and MOCA Los Angeles. She now helps museums and nonprofits transform analog learning into dynamic digital experiences.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Matt Tower as they break down the biggest headlines shaping the future of education technology. From OpenAI's new video model to major EdTech funding rounds and the rise of curriculum-informed AI.✨ Episode Highlights[00:03:56] EdTech Week 2025 preview at Columbia University featuring OpenAI's education keynote.[00:06:50] SETDA report: AI overtakes cybersecurity as top K–12 tech priority.[00:09:05] OpenAI's Sora 2 video model brings lifelike multimodal AI to education.[00:14:10] Rise of AI actors like “Tilly Norwood” underscores new media literacy concerns.[00:18:30] Code.org launches Hour of AI to expand AI literacy in schools.[00:24:40] Debate: Is “learn to code” still essential in the AI age?[00:29:30] Microsoft Copilot adds Study Mode with shareable learning tools.[00:32:00] Anthology (Blackboard) bankruptcy exposes failed 2021 PE merger.[00:38:10] Funding: LingoKids raises $120M; Outsmart (ex-Duolingo) raises $40M.[00:43:50] National test score slump fuels “End of Thinking” education debate.[00:46:10] Calls for clear new visions of learning in the AI era.Plus, special guests:[00:53:00] Sari Factor, Vice Chair & Chief Strategy Officer, and Jason Fournier, VP of Product Management for AI & Data at Imagine Learning, on curriculum-informed AI.[01:04:00] Caleb Hicks, CEO & Co-founder of SchoolAI, on AI tutors and personalized learning.
Send us a textVanessa Castañeda Gill, CEO and Co-Founder of Social Cipher and Lucy Stevens, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Social Cipher, lead a majority-neurodivergent team creating social-emotional learning video games that help neurodivergent youth build self-understanding and connections; inspired by Vanessa's experiences as an autistic/ADHD Latina, their games and curriculum are now used in 200+ schools and therapy centers across 8 countries, earning recognition from Forbes 30 Under 30, MIT Solve, and the LEGO Foundation.
Send us a textJanak Panchal and Rishan Dutia are cofounders of CoGuide, an AI classroom assistant that plans lessons and runs live discussions in 30+ languages. Janak, a former assistant guide with 250+ socratic discussions sessions within the Acton Academy Network, built the first MVP. Rishan leads engineering and builds the Vision OS for hand-raising and participation analytics.
Send us a textJoin hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the latest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI tutors and Gallup polls to new VR career pathways and the impact of phone bans in schools. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:38] Mashable compares AI tutors from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic[00:10:45] Gallup poll shows confidence in K-12 at all-time low [00:15:48] CZI launches Learning Commons open-source AI infrastructure [00:20:41] CZI + Anthropic partnership expands AI tools for edtech [00:23:31] Kahoot unveils new AI-powered study tools [00:26:26] Phone bans spread in U.S. schools with positive results [00:29:53] Higher ed faces declining international applications and demographic cliff Plus, special guests: [00:36:24] Nick Chen, Founder of PlayMath.org, on educational gaming and product lessons [01:00:40] Jamie Candee, CEO of Edmentum, on career pathways, durable skills, and VR workforce prep
Send us a textIn this special episode, we spotlight the Global EdTech Prize 2025 with founder Vikas Pota of T4 Education and six inspiring finalists from around the world.
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