Week in EdTech 10/1/25: OpenAI’s Sora 2 Transforms Learning, Anthology Files for Bankruptcy, Code.org Launches, LingoKids & Outsmart Funding, and More! Feat. Sari Factor & Jason Fournier of Imagine Learning and Caleb Hicks of SchoolAI

Oct 10, 2025

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Caleb Hicks

Guest

Jason Fournier

Guest

Sari Factor

Sari Factor, Vice Chair & Chief Strategy Officer at Imagine Learning, and Jason Fournier, VP of Product Management for AI & Data at Imagine Learning, join Caleb Hicks, CEO of SchoolAI, to discuss the future of education through AI. They delve into curriculum-informed AI, emphasizing the importance of grounding AI in high-quality instructional materials. Discussions also cover how AI can empower teachers and personalize learning experiences, addressing the need for safe and structured AI tools in classrooms. Plus, they explore the implications of OpenAI's latest advancements on media literacy.

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INSIGHT

Multimodal AI Changes Digital Literacy

OpenAI's Sora 2 and similar multimodal models make video indistinguishable from reality and shift digital literacy requirements overnight.
This raises huge risks for media literacy and verification while unlocking enormous creative and educational opportunities.

INSIGHT

AI Overtakes Cybersecurity As Top K–12 Priority

SETDA found AI has overtaken cybersecurity as K–12 leaders' top tech priority this year.
Policies vary widely across classroom, district, and state levels, forcing reactive rather than coordinated responses.

ADVICE

Use Hour Of AI To Build AI Fluency

Promote Hour of AI for students and adults to build baseline AI literacy and reduce fear-driven bans.
Partner with Code.org and industry to create safe, scaffolded first experiences for classrooms.

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Join 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.

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This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

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