Year-End Special Part 2: 2024 Reflections and 2025 Predictions by EdTech Industry Leaders

Jan 27, 2025

Guest

Jomayra Herrera

Guest

Join industry leaders Jomayra Herrera, partner at Reach Capital, and Amit Patel from Owl Ventures, as they share insights on the transformative impact of AI in education and global opportunities. Ben Wallerstein discusses the potential fallout from ESSER funding expiration, while John Higginson emphasizes advances in mobile and voice AI. Karl Rectanus predicts leaps in global EdTech innovation, highlighting the importance of ethical AI, as Andrew Goldman explores how generative AI can deliver high-quality content in schools.

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INSIGHT

2024 AI Experimentation and 2025 Focus

2024 was a year of AI experimentation in education, with significant investment but limited data on efficacy.
2025 will focus on determining what AI applications truly work and a rise in school choice driven by consumer demand and policy changes.

ADVICE

Demonstrate Outcomes for EdTech AI

Demonstrate measurable outcomes and ROI for edtech products using AI.
Show how AI solutions improve learning, even with small pilot programs, to attract investors.

INSIGHT

AI-Driven Personalized Learning and Global EdTech

AI allows for comprehensive, personalized learning plans by integrating diverse data sources.
Demographic shifts, particularly in Africa, necessitate EdTech innovations and international collaboration.

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2024 was a remarkable year for EdTech, with advancements that redefined teaching, learning, and the role of technology in education. But what’s next?

In Part 2 of our year-end special, Alex and Ben invite a panel of visionary leaders from across the EdTech ecosystem to share their reflections on 2024 and predictions for 2025.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Jomayra Herrera, Partner at Reach Capital
Amit Patel, Managing Director at Owl Ventures
Ben Wallerstein, CEO & Co-Founder at Whiteboard Advisors
John Higginson, Chief Technology Officer at Curriculum Associates
Karl Rectanus, Chairperson, Industry Council at EDSAFE AI Alliance
Andrew Goldman, EVP at HMH Labs

From the transformative power of AI to global innovation, workforce readiness, and the evolving funding landscape, these thought leaders bring invaluable perspectives to the table.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:23] 🤖 Jomayra on AI’s evolution: from experimentation to proven outcomes.
[00:07:00] 🌍 Amit explores global EdTech opportunities and demographic shifts.
[00:13:43] 📉 Ben Wallerstein on the impact of ESSER funding expiration in 2025.
[00:44:06] 📱 John highlights mobile learning’s dual role and voice AI advances.
[01:01:50] 🌎 Karl's bold predictions: leapfrogging global innovation in EdTech.
[01:03:08] ✍️ Andrew explains how generative AI meets high-quality content.

🎧 Want to hear Alex and Ben's reflections and predictions? Listen to Part 1 here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1877869/episodes/16321195

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