In this episode of ChatEDU (AI Ate My EdTech Stack), Matt and Liz open with a failed product demo, a viral subway AI romance, and some studio chaos before diving into three stories with big implications for classrooms and edtech. They explore how Canva is reinventing itself, why Estonia wants students to use their phones more, and how AI may soon reshape the entire edtech ecosystem. A bright byte on AI and bridge building closes the episode with impact.
Story 1: Canva Becomes an AI Suite
Canva is expanding beyond design into productivity, learning, and automation. Its new Visual Suite 2.0 includes Magic Studio, Canva Code, and Magic Insights. The platform now rivals Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 with tools for content creation, business intelligence, and app building. But it raises questions around data privacy, authorship, and how schools will manage AI-generated work.
Story 2: Estonia Leans Into Phones and AI
While US schools ban phones, Estonia is using them to teach. Students vote with phones, learn with ChatGPT, and follow clearly defined norms. The education minister argues this cultural trust supports responsible use. Estonia is licensing AI for all students and teachers and considering oral assessments instead of essays. It’s a national experiment worth watching.
Story 3: Beneath the Surface – LLMs and the EdTech Shakeup
A deep research project using Gemini looked at how AI will disrupt edtech. The findings show that flashcards, homework apps, and static tools face high risk. LMS platforms and formative tools are in the middle. Project-based tools and SIS systems are least vulnerable. At the same time, districts are already cutting hundreds of unused tools from their stacks. Consolidation is coming.
Bright Byte: AI Finds Hidden Waterways
A nonprofit used AI to map 77 million miles of previously undocumented waterways. This helps rural communities build bridges faster and connect to schools, markets, and clinics. AI is accelerating infrastructure for real-world change.
Announcements
The Summer Micro-Credential is still open skills21.org/ai/micro
Links and References
Gemini Catch Me Up - https://www.androidcentral.com/apps-software/android-os/google-drive-introduces-gemini-powered-catch-me-up-feature
Canva Visual Suite 2.0 -
https://www.forbes.com/sites/anishasircar/2025/04/15/canvas-all-in-one-ai-suite-could-rival-tech-giants---but-theres-fine-print/
Estonia’s AI in Schools -
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/may/26/estonia-phone-bans-in-schools-ai-artificial-intelligence
EdTech Disruption Report (via Gemini) -
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e1cZT93TOWqtt8UWo3NaVbJNfpGSwI73jjoNltJDDno/edit?usp=sharing
EdSurge on Districts Cutting Tools -
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2025-05-16-trimming-the-edtech-fat-how-districts-are-streamlining-their-digital-ecosystems
Bright Byte – Waterway Mapping with AI -
https://www.businessinsider.com/bridges-to-prosperity-nonprofit-ai-mapping-waterways-rural-communities-2025-5
Sponsor
Supported by the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing www.nextgenmfg.org
