Edtech Insiders

Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell

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.

  1. AI Doesn’t Learn Alone: Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor on Human Intelligence

    6 SA. ÖNCE

    AI Doesn’t Learn Alone: Dr. Magdalena H. Gross of Mercor on Human Intelligence

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How human experts actually train AI through structured thinking and feedback  Why making “invisible thinking visible” is key to both learning and AI development  The parallels between reinforcement learning in AI and how humans learn  How breaking down reasoning into steps improves both teaching and model performance  Why interdisciplinary thinking is essential for solving complex problems with AI ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:48] What “human data” really means: experts training AI through deep domain knowledge [00:05:30] From binary labeling to reinforcement learning: how AI training now mirrors human learning [00:07:47] Spiral curriculum at scale: how experts and AI both improve through repetition and complexity [00:10:44] Cognitive modeling: making expert thinking visible to accelerate learning [00:13:28] Breaking down reasoning: categorizing how humans think across domains [00:16:28] Why interdisciplinary thinking drives breakthroughs in humans and AI [00:18:58] The future of human data work: expanding alongside the growth of human knowledge  😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    22 dk.
  2. Week in Edtech 3/18/26: NVIDIA’s Agentic AI Land Grab, ASU’s AI Playbook, AI Literacy vs Screen Bans, School Choice Expansion, Edtech Funding Shifts, and More! Feat. Aaron Cuny of AI for Equity & Joshua Broggi of Woolf

    3 GÜN ÖNCE

    Week in Edtech 3/18/26: NVIDIA’s Agentic AI Land Grab, ASU’s AI Playbook, AI Literacy vs Screen Bans, School Choice Expansion, Edtech Funding Shifts, and More! Feat. Aaron Cuny of AI for Equity & Joshua Broggi of Woolf

    Send us Fan Mail Join 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 months Plus, 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 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized o Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    1 sa. 30 dk.
  3. Keeping Tutoring Human in the Age of AI with Mindy Sjoblom and Catherine Tierney of OnYourMark

    23 MAR

    Keeping Tutoring Human in the Age of AI with Mindy Sjoblom and Catherine Tierney of OnYourMark

    Send us Fan Mail Mindy 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode Why AI works best as an insight layer rather than a replacement for human tutorsHow OnYourMark scaled high-dosage tutoring while maintaining quality and consistencyWhat it takes to translate RCT-backed research into daily instructional practiceWhere human judgment remains essential in AI-supported tutoring modelsHow the role of AI in learning may differ across age groups and contexts✨ Episode Highlights [00:02:38] Mindy Sjoblom on OnYourMark’s origins and scaling high-dosage tutoring post-pandemic [00:05:59] Catherine Tierney on designing AI to strengthen—not replace—human relationships [00:07:36] How RCT evidence and authentic learning data power OnYourMark’s AI tools [00:12:04] Real-time feedback and why tutors want more visibility into their practice [00:15:36] The tension between flexibility and fidelity when scaling tutoring across schools [00:16:21] The future of AI-supported human tutoring and what the next five years may hold [00:19:55] Why AI use in learning must look different for younger vs. older students [00:22:20] What excites—and worries—Mindy and Catherine about AI in education today 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    28 dk.
  4. Week in EdTech 3/11/26: OpenAI Launches Interactive Learning Tools, Stanford AI Education Meta-Study Raises Questions, AI Backlash Grows, K–12 Cybersecurity Risks Rise, and More! Feat. Oliver Page of CyberNut

    20 MAR

    Week in EdTech 3/11/26: OpenAI Launches Interactive Learning Tools, Stanford AI Education Meta-Study Raises Questions, AI Backlash Grows, K–12 Cybersecurity Risks Rise, and More! Feat. Oliver Page of CyberNut

    Send us Fan Mail Join 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 risk Plus, 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 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    50 dk.
  5. Designing AI to Support Teachers with Dr. Rachel Book and Charlie Thayer of Lincoln Learning Solutions

    18 MAR

    Designing AI to Support Teachers with Dr. Rachel Book and Charlie Thayer of Lincoln Learning Solutions

    Send us Fan Mail Dr. 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: The difference between generic AI tools and purpose-built AI for educationHow AI can extend teacher capacity without replacing human instructionPractical AI use cases that support both teachers and studentsWhy AI guardrails, safety, and age-appropriate design matterThe risks of AI shortcuts and the importance of building AI literacy early✨ Episode Highlights: [00:03:15] Defining purpose-built AI vs. generic AI in education [00:07:22] Real classroom AI use cases: data insights and teacher support [00:09:48] AI for younger learners: voice, engagement, and curiosity [00:12:20] What school leaders should look for in AI tools [00:14:59] The biggest risks: AI replacing thinking and human interaction [00:18:57] First reactions to Lincoln AI and the “wow” factor in classrooms [00:20:29] How AI dashboards give teachers actionable insights [00:21:50] Expanding teacher capacity through AI-driven visibility 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    27 dk.
  6. Josh Jones of QuantHub on Teaching AI Skills That Outlast the Tools

    16 MAR

    Josh Jones of QuantHub on Teaching AI Skills That Outlast the Tools

    Send us Fan Mail Josh 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why AI education should focus on durable skills, not specific toolsHow schools can adapt curriculum faster without sacrificing rigorThe difference between AI literacy and AI fluencyPractical guidance on student AI use, ethics, and assessmentWhat institutions must change to stay resilient in an exponential tech era✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:00] Why QuantHub was built to keep pace with accelerating AI change [00:04:30] The mismatch between slow curriculum cycles and fast-moving AI [00:06:40] Teaching meta-skills like critical thinking, ethics, and change management [00:09:00] Mapping AI and data skills into existing K–12 and higher-ed standards [00:11:45] Why banning ChatGPT creates more problems than it solves [00:13:40] Institutions leading the way on clear, fair AI policies [00:15:40] What schools must rethink to stay relevant over the next decade 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    21 dk.
  7. Managing AI by Default: Dean Celaj of GoTeacher on the Future of K–12 Data Privacy

    9 MAR

    Managing AI by Default: Dean Celaj of GoTeacher on the Future of K–12 Data Privacy

    Send us Fan Mail Dean 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode Why most school districts are technically out of compliance with student data privacy lawsHow “free” edtech tools create the biggest privacy blind spotsWhy AI fundamentally changes the risk profile of student dataWhat risk-based management of AI tools means for responsible adoption in schoolsThe biggest mistakes edtech founders make when selling into K–12✨ Episode Highlights [00:02:34] Student data privacy is a capacity problem, not a policy problem [00:03:00] Why districts often have DPAs for 10% of the tools students actually use [00:05:56] How AI training on student data creates irreversible privacy risk [00:07:30] Dean’s case for blocking risky AI tools by default in schools [00:11:26] Why “move fast and break things” fails in K–12 edtech [00:14:56] What gives Dean optimism about the future of AI, content, and assessment in education 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    19 dk.
  8. Week in EdTech 2/25/26: FBI Raids LAUSD, Screen Time Backlash Grows, Google Trains 6M Teachers in AI, Southern States Post Gains, NationGraph Raises Funding, and More! Feat. Ariella Racco of CoLab Education

    6 MAR

    Week in EdTech 2/25/26: FBI Raids LAUSD, Screen Time Backlash Grows, Google Trains 6M Teachers in AI, Southern States Post Gains, NationGraph Raises Funding, and More! Feat. Ariella Racco of CoLab Education

    Send us Fan Mail Join 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 models Plus, special guest: [00:37:27] Ariella Racco, Founder of CoLab Education, on building dedicated collaboration infrastructure for teachers in the AI era 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

    1 sa. 5 dk.
Tümünü Görün (449)

Fragman

Hakkında

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.

Bilgi

  • Yaratıcı
    Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
  • Aktif Yıllar
    2021 - 2026
  • Bölümler
    449
  • Sınıflandırma
    Uygun
  • Telif Hakkı
    © 2026 Edtech Insiders
  • Şovun Web Sitesi
    Edtech Insiders

Beğenebilirsiniz