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, Jobs, and What Comes Next with Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy

    3일 전

    AI, Jobs, and What Comes Next with Kumar Garg of Renaissance Philanthropy

    Send us Fan Mail Kumar 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How AI is projected to impact jobs, with forecasts suggesting modest but meaningful workforce contraction  Why community colleges and skilled trades may see rising demand in an AI-driven economy  How “superforecasters” are being used to predict labor market shifts more systematically  What policymakers and educators should track to prepare for AI-driven disruption  How Renaissance Philanthropy is rethinking how capital flows into big, thesis-driven ideas ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:34] The origin of Renaissance Philanthropy and its thesis-driven funding model [00:07:00] Why Kumar Garg built the Labor Automation Forecast Hub [00:10:30] The role of super forecasters in predicting AI’s impact on jobs [00:13:00] Key projections: job displacement, slower growth, and shifting career paths [00:15:30] Community colleges vs. four-year degrees in the AI economy [00:17:45] Why the future of work is a “big dislocation,” not a collapse [00:21:00] How forecasts evolve and why trend direction matters more than exact predictions [00:23:30] Reactions from policymakers and what data matters most [00:26:18] The growing importance of regional workforce forecasting [00:26:49] Kumar’s outlook on the future of philanthropy and deploying capital at scale 😎 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. 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. 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.

    32분
  2. Teachers as Builders: Insights from Stephen Jull, Maruf Hasan & Sean McWeeney of Teach For All

    5월 11일

    Teachers as Builders: Insights from Stephen Jull, Maruf Hasan & Sean McWeeney of Teach For All

    Send us Fan Mail Stephen 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How teachers are moving from AI users to AI builders  Why the most impactful AI innovation is happening in classrooms, not companies  How global educator communities accelerate learning and innovation  The role of AI in supporting underserved students and closing learning gaps  Why teacher ownership is critical to the future of edtech ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:01:20] Introduction to Teach For All’s AI initiative and global educator community [00:05:22] Stephen Jull on building partnerships between teachers and frontier AI labs [00:08:16] Sean McWeeney on creating AI tools for marking and real classroom needs [00:11:59] Maruf Hasan on using AI to support underserved students in low-resource settings [00:14:51] How the AI community operates without centralized control and why it works [00:18:30] Global collaboration: shared challenges across classrooms worldwide [00:22:35] The power of community in turning non-technical educators into builders 😎 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. 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. 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.

    26분
  3. Kira 2.0: Real Voices from the Launch Event

    5월 4일

    Kira 2.0: Real Voices from the Launch Event

    Send us Fan Mail At 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. 🎙️ Featuring insights from: Brandon Chitty, Executive Director of Innovations, Broken Arrow Public SchoolsBrett Roer, CEO & Founder, Amplify and Elevate InnovationHarl Roehm, CTE Teacher, Collierville High SchoolJesse Lubinsky, Principal Evangelist, Adobe EducationLance Key, Instructional Technology Coordinator, Putnam County SchoolsRachelle Dene Poth, Educator, Consultant & AttorneyHannah Gurmankin, Special Education TeacherScott Brewster, Co-Founder, Hats & Ladders😎 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. 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. 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.

    41분
  4. The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    4월 27일

    The Math We Teach vs. The Math We Need with Ted Dintersmith

    Send us Fan Mail Ted 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why school math focuses on skills that AI already does better than humans  The disconnect between “math in school” and “math in real life”  How standardized testing has narrowed our definition of intelligence  What meaningful, relevant math learning could look like in classrooms  Why making math practical and engaging can unlock student potential across backgrounds ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:44] Ted’s journey from tech investor to education advocate [00:05:37] Why the rise of AI makes today’s math curriculum increasingly obsolete [00:08:55] The “math of life” vs. the “math of school” disconnect [00:12:55] The myth that current math instruction teaches critical thinking [00:16:16] How test-driven systems reward speed over real understanding [00:20:12] Why math should be integrated across subjects, not siloed [00:22:52] Students see schoolwork as irrelevant and why that leads to disengagement [00:25:07] A powerful classroom example: teaching probability through real-world context [00:26:51] How relevance in math can close equity gaps in learning outcomes [00:28:37] Ted’s vision for transforming math into a tool for purpose and real-world problem solving 😎 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. 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. 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.

    32분
  5. Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    4월 20일

    Steve Tapp of ACT on Bridging Academic Assessment and Workforce Readiness

    Send us Fan Mail Steve 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode How AI is transforming the assessment lifecycle—from test creation to scoring.Why fairness, validity, and human oversight still matter in AI-powered testing.How ACT is expanding beyond college admissions into career readiness.The potential of adaptive and personalized assessments.Why bridging academic testing and workforce skills is the future of assessment.✨ Episode Highlights [00:00:00] Steve Tapp on his 30-year career in assessments and joining ACT as CEO. [00:03:00] AI as a “force multiplier” across the testing lifecycle. [00:07:27] The opportunity for adaptive and personalized assessments. [00:10:28] ACT’s broader mission beyond the college admissions test. [00:15:46] The growing importance of measuring workforce-ready skills. [00:18:30] How ACT’s WorkKeys connects education to real-world jobs. [00:22:45] Tapp’s vision for the future of ACT in the AI era. 😎 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. 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. 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.

    29분
  6. Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    4월 13일

    Why Graduation Is Higher Ed’s Most Overlooked Growth Lever with Chase Rigby of Tassel

    Send us Fan Mail Chase 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why graduation is a key (and overlooked) growth moment  How Tassel simplifies complex commencement logistics  Where AI improves the student and admin experience  How graduation drives alumni engagement and giving  Why Tassel helps students earn money at graduation✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:57] Graduation as a growth and marketing moment [00:05:22] Unifying registration, tickets, and stage flow [00:09:17] A student earns $3,500 via digital announcements [00:11:53] Saving thousands of admin hours with AI [00:14:18] The “cap-and-gown cartel” and outdated business models [00:16:56] Better graduation to stronger alumni ties [00:19:29] Disrupting the cap-and-gown model  😎 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. 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. 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.

    27분
  7. Week in Edtech 4/8/26: Anthropic’s Mythos Sparks AI Security Concerns, EdTech Efficacy Debate Intensifies, Screen Time Backlash Grows, OpenAI Faces Pressure, AI Reshapes Entry-Level Jobs, Higher Ed Adapts, and More! Feat. Yoon Yang of Pensive

    4월 11일

    Week in Edtech 4/8/26: Anthropic’s Mythos Sparks AI Security Concerns, EdTech Efficacy Debate Intensifies, Screen Time Backlash Grows, OpenAI Faces Pressure, AI Reshapes Entry-Level Jobs, Higher Ed Adapts, and More! Feat. Yoon Yang of Pensive

    Send us Fan Mail Join 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 learning Plus, special guest: [00:37:34] Yoon Yang, CEO and Co-founder of Pensive, on AI-powered grading and personalized tutoring in higher education 😎 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. 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. 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.

    1시간 1분
  8. AI Without the “Slop” with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez of Medley Learning

    4월 6일

    AI Without the “Slop” with Brandon Cardet-Hernandez of Medley Learning

    Send us Fan Mail Brandon 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why education has an access gap, not just an achievement gapThe dangers of over-scaffolding and “AI slop”How AI can embed rigor without lowering standardsA new workflow for supporting multilingual learnersWhy implementation determines impact✨ Episode Highlights: [00:01:58] Brandon’s journey and the educators who changed his life [00:10:50] The “ELL trap” and lowering cognitive demand [00:15:11] Student-controlled, embedded scaffolds in real time [00:23:58] Why strong district champions matter for implementation [00:27:24] AI’s promise: turning research into daily practice [00:30:02] The risk of “AI slop” in classrooms [00:31:52] Building AI policy around knowledge not fear  😎 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. 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. 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.

    35분
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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.

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