Edtech Insiders

Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
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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.

  1. 22h ago

    Week in Edtech 11/4/26: Live from Google's AI for Learning Summit! Election Results, EdTech's Growing Techlash, Education Policy Shifts & More! Feat. Thoughtline and Abre

    Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they unpack the latest developments in education policy, Google's AI strategy, the growing techlash, and how AI is reshaping teaching, learning, and school infrastructure. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:43] Education Savings Accounts gain momentum as Edtech Insiders kicks off ESA month [00:03:20] U.S. election results and what they could mean for education policy [00:05:14] State-level education policy, school choice, and the future of public education [00:09:19] Google AI for Learning Summit focuses on human intelligence and relational learning [00:10:40] Google's Guided Learning shifts AI from efficiency to improving learning outcomes [00:13:21] Google faces backlash over AI integration and school control of search [00:18:41] Edtech's growing techlash and the debate over Big Tech in education [00:22:23] Why the Edtech industry needs collaboration and evidence over competition Plus, special guests: [00:24:02] Zach Kennelly and Kevin Moran, Co-founders of Thoughtline, on making student thinking visible, AI and assessment, and building trust between teachers and students. [00:47:34] James Stoffer, CEO of Abre, on breaking down Edtech silos, connecting district data, measuring ROI, and using AI responsibly in schools. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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. 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.

    Week in Edtech 11/4/26: Live from Google's AI for Learning Summit! Election Results, EdTech's Growing Techlash, Education Policy Shifts & More! Feat. Thoughtline and Abre

  2. 23h ago

    Can AI Turn Screen Time Into Learning Time? with Lionel Mora of Marble

    Lionel Mora is the Co-founder and CEO of Marble, a generative learning world designed for kids ages 6–12. Previously, he worked at Google and co-founded Neo Plants and AI film studio Nation, bringing experience across deep tech, consumer apps, and creative technology. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why Marble is rethinking EdTech by putting curiosity and exploration ahead of traditional gamification.How AI can turn a child’s interests from Fortnite to Polish history into unexpected learning opportunities.What makes screen time valuable, including the importance of interaction, challenge, and avoiding cognitive dependency.How Marble’s generative world lets kids create stories, objects, and eventually entire worlds.Why Marble open-sourced its AI-readable curriculum and what this could mean for the broader EdTech ecosystem.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:04:31] Lionel Mora on creating a “playground” where curiosity drives learning. [00:10:09] How a child’s obsession with Fortnite sparked an interest in Polish history. [00:21:00] Marble’s vision for an infinite generative crafting system. [00:31:42] What makes screen time valuable and the risks of cognitive dependency. [00:40:20] Why Marble built and open-sourced an AI-readable curriculum. [00:47:10] Lionel’s vision for the future of AI-powered learning worlds. [00:51:16] Where to learn more about Marble and its open-source curriculum. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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. 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.

    Can AI Turn Screen Time Into Learning Time? with Lionel Mora of Marble

  3. 4d ago

    ESA Series: How ESAs and AI Are Redefining School Choice with Jaysan Shah & William Wiltshire of Bundled

    Jaysan Shah and William Wiltshire are the co-founders of The Tomorrow Schools Group and Bundled. After meeting at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, their divergent backgrounds in technology and teaching led them to a shared fascination of how emerging school designs can unlock the full potential of AI, teacher creativity, and learning science research. They work with schools and organizations to help understand and showcase future-ready school designs that prioritize human authentic capacities and respond to parent concerns. This episode is part of the Edtech Insiders ESA Podcast Series, exploring how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school choice are shaping the future of education. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How ESAs are expanding family choice in education.Why new school models are challenging traditional schooling.How Bundled helps families navigate unbundled education options.Why equitable access and logistics remain key challenges for families.How schools can prepare students for an AI-driven world by prioritizing agency, judgment, creativity, and metacognition.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:36] Jaysan Shah’s journey from cognitive science to education innovation. [00:07:38] How ESAs are giving families more autonomy in choosing education options. [00:10:23] Unbundling traditional schooling and the challenges families face. [00:13:46] AI-native vs. AI-resilient schools: what students need to thrive. [00:20:01] Why the future of education needs diverse school models, not one-size-fits-all solutions. [00:23:36] How Tomorrow Schools Group and Bundled are supporting school innovation and family choice. [00:26:04] Where to learn more about Bundled and Tomorrow Schools Group. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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.

    ESA Series: How ESAs and AI Are Redefining School Choice with Jaysan Shah & William Wiltshire of Bundled

  4. 5d ago

    Can AI Tutors Match Human Tutors? New Research from Eedi and Google DeepMind with Bibi Groot

    Bibi Groot designs & implements randomised controlled trials to find out whether edtech actually works. As Chief Impact Officer at Eedi, she led a collaboration with Google DeepMind that showed AI tutoring can match human tutors, and is now scaling trials across Latin America and the Middle East. Previously at the UK's Behavioural Insights Team. 💡 5 Things You'll Learn in This Episode How AI tutoring compared with human tutoring in Eedi and Google DeepMind's latest randomized controlled trial.What the research reveals about immediate learning gains versus longer-term outcomes.How human oversight and automated safeguards can support safer AI tutoring.Why girls and boys may respond differently to interactive tutoring.Why evidence-based design and rigorous testing matter for the future of AI in education.✨ Episode Highlights [00:02:13] Inside Eedi and Google DeepMind's latest AI tutoring trial. [00:06:34] AI versus human tutoring: Learning outcomes and scalability. [00:10:49] AI tutoring safety, mathematical errors, and human oversight. [00:14:11] Immediate learning gains versus longer-term assessment results. [00:19:20] Exploring differences in how girls and boys respond to tutoring. [00:23:15] How Eedi and Google DeepMind collaborate on AI education research. [00:26:42] Why AI tutors need evidence-based learning design and rigorous evaluation. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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.

    Can AI Tutors Match Human Tutors? New Research from Eedi and Google DeepMind with Bibi Groot

  5. Nov 3

    ESA Series: How Education Savings Accounts Are Reshaping the Education Landscape with Dr. Cara Candal of ExcelinEd

    Dr. Cara Candal is Vice President of Policy at ExcelinEd, where she leads education policy initiatives and helps states design and implement high-impact reforms. A former teacher and professor, she is an author and podcast host whose work on education policy focuses on emerging trends and the future of learning. This episode is part of the Edtech Insiders ESA Podcast Series, exploring how Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) and school choice are shaping the future of education. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) work and why they are gaining momentum across the US.How the pandemic and microgrants helped accelerate demand for education choice.How ESAs are changing the way families access and customize educational options.How EdTech companies can tap into the growing ESA market and reach families directly.Why parent navigation, quality standards, and accountability matter as education choice expands.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:25] What ExcelinEd does and its role in education policy reform. [00:03:38] The evolution of ESAs and the growing demand for education choice. [00:09:23] Florida's journey toward universal Education Savings Accounts. [00:12:34] How ESAs could reshape the way states fund education. [00:15:27] The potential impact of the federal education tax credit. [00:16:51] How technology can simplify ESA spending and access to educational services. [00:20:28] Opportunities for EdTech companies to reach families directly. [00:23:39] Balancing educational choice with quality, transparency, and accountability. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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.

    ESA Series: How Education Savings Accounts Are Reshaping the Education Landscape with Dr. Cara Candal of ExcelinEd

  6. Oct 30

    HigherEd Series: 130 Years of Tuition-Free College and the Future of Higher Education with Cheryl Nixon of Berea College

    Dr. Cheryl Nixon, Berea College’s 10th and first woman President, is proud to lead a college that serves as a national model for access and affordability, operates as a work college, and is the first interracial, co-educational college in the South. Holding a Harvard Ph.D. in English, Dr. Nixon’s career centers on bringing the transformative power of the liberal arts to students who face barriers to 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Berea is building on 130 years of tuition-free education to eliminate student costs and debt.Why financial barriers shouldn’t determine who gets access to college.How the work college model connects learning with practical experience.Why the humanities and liberal arts remain essential in the age of AI.How colleges can build public trust by serving their communities and regions.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:02:11] Cheryl Nixon on Berea’s history and mission to expand access. [00:08:24] Why the humanities matter for developing critical thinking and our shared humanity. [00:11:00] The Financial Freedom Pledge and the goal of removing financial barriers. [00:27:19] How Berea connects students to work, community, and the local economy. [00:28:43] Building public trust through service to Kentucky and Appalachia. [00:32:22] From tuition-free since 1892 to a fully funded degree. [00:42:17] AI, cognitive offloading, and protecting students’ ability to think clearly. [00:45:45] Nixon’s advice to higher ed leaders: ask bold questions, experiment, and act. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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. 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.

    HigherEd Series: 130 Years of Tuition-Free College and the Future of Higher Education with Cheryl Nixon of Berea College

  7. Oct 30

    HigherEd Series: Noah Pickus of Duke University on How Universities Can Innovate Without Losing Their Identity

    Noah Pickus is Head of Global Strategy and Partnerships and Senior Advisor to the Provost at Duke University, where he is a professor and the founder of the Future Universities Alliance.  His most recent book is The New Global Universities. He was a founding architect of Duke Kunshan University, and he served previously as CAO at Minerva Project and co-director of the ASU-Georgetown Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership cohort program. 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. 💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why established universities and new institutions have more to learn from each other than they might expect.How the Future Universities Alliance connects 49 institutions across 23 countries.Why innovation and institutional tradition don’t have to be opposites.How universities can collaborate globally while maintaining their distinct identities.How AI and other major shifts are pushing higher education to rethink its future.✨ Episode Highlights: [00:06:34] Noah Pickus explains the mission of the Future Universities Alliance. [00:10:00] Why new and established universities can benefit from learning together. [00:12:18] How Duke’s global partnerships shaped a network-based approach to innovation. [00:31:12] Why trust and collaboration are essential to making university networks work. [00:32:50] How AI and other changes challenge universities to balance disruption with renewal. [00:45:55] The Alliance’s innovation sandbox: turning ideas into focused 12–18 month projects. [00:54:03] Why lasting innovation requires humility, shared ownership, and continuous learning. 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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. 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.

    HigherEd Series: Noah Pickus of Duke University on How Universities Can Innovate Without Losing Their Identity

  8. Oct 30

    Week in Edtech 10/27/26: Google Faces Congressional Scrutiny, Anthropic's Trillion-Dollar IPO Plans, Activate Learning Acquires Open Up Resources & More! Feat. Chase Rigby of Tassel & Sabih Bin Wasi of Stellic

    Join hosts Ben Kornell and Alex Sarlin as they cover the latest developments in edtech, from growing pushback against technology in schools and Anthropic's anticipated IPO to major acquisitions, AI research, and the future of higher education. ✨ Episode Highlights: [00:04:23] Bipartisan congressional scrutiny of Google's AI push in schools and growing tech backlash [00:09:23] Screen time restrictions, Chromebook policies, and the impact on EdTech adoption [00:13:53] Questions about AI research quality and evidence of educational effectiveness [00:20:52] Activate Learning acquires Open Up Resources [00:24:07] Philanthropy, private equity, and the evolving business models of open educational resources [00:28:05] Anthropic's anticipated IPO and its implications for EdTech [00:38:36] Renaissance and Carnegie Learning partner to connect assessment and instruction Plus, special guests: [00:41:48] Chase Rigby, CEO of Tassel, on modernizing graduation experiences with AI-powered photography, streamlined logistics, and stronger alumni engagement [00:56:16] Sabih Bin Wasi, Founder and CEO of Stellic, on transforming student success through personalized academic planning, AI-powered advising, and data-driven decision-making in higher education 😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!  Follow us on our podcast, newsletter & LinkedIn here. 🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s: This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley 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. 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. 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.

    Week in Edtech 10/27/26: Google Faces Congressional Scrutiny, Anthropic's Trillion-Dollar IPO Plans, Activate Learning Acquires Open Up Resources & More! Feat. Chase Rigby of Tassel & Sabih Bin Wasi of Stellic
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    527
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Edtech Insiders
  • Show Website
    Edtech Insiders

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