Week in Edtech 3/19/25: OpenAI’s Writing Model, Gemini Canvas Goes Free, Zoom’s Chain of Draft, China Adds AI to Schools, EdTech Office Closes, and More! Feat. Annie Chechitelli of Turnitin & Sara Mauskopf of Winnie
Mar 28, 2025
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Annie Chechitelli, Chief Product Officer at Turnitin, and Sara Mauskopf, CEO of Winnie, join to discuss critical shifts in edtech. They explore the launch of AI-driven education in China and its implications for the U.S. Meanwhile, OpenAI teases a new creative writing model, while Gemini Canvas and Deep Research go free, revolutionizing educational tools. They dive into the ethical use of AI in academics and the rise of school choice, emphasizing how parents can make informed decisions in today's learning landscape.
China's initiative to integrate AI education for young students emphasizes the urgent need for the U.S. to bolster tech-focused curricula.
Advancements in generative AI are transforming educational tools, leading to innovative, interactive learning experiences for students and educators alike.
The evolving landscape of AI tools illustrates a competitive race among companies, raising questions about their impact on educational applications and user behavior.
Deep dives
Beijing's AI Curriculum Initiative
Beijing schools are incorporating AI courses into their curriculum for students as young as six, focusing on chatbot usage, ethics, and foundational AI concepts. This initiative spans 184 schools and aims to expand further, highlighting China's proactive approach to integrating AI education early in students' academic journeys. In contrast, there's ongoing conversation in the U.S. about ensuring students are prepared for the rapidly changing technological landscape driven by AI. This effort underscores the urgency and commitment from educational authorities to prepare future learners for a tech-centric world.
The Rise of Educational Gaming
There is a growing interest in the use of AI to generate educational games that can enhance learning experiences for students. Generative AI technology is being utilized to create interactive and engaging games, with contributions from industry leaders such as Rebecca Kantar of Roblox and Alison Matthews of Minecraft EDU. This development reflects a shift towards multimodal content in education, making learning more dynamic and accessible. As interest in educational games surges, events are being organized to connect educators and developers exploring this exciting intersection of AI and learning.
Innovations in Project Management Education
The podcast highlights significant advancements in project management education thanks to AI developments, particularly with figures like Pierre Lamont from the Project Management Institute. Lamont expresses optimism about how AI can enhance project management training and broaden access to certification opportunities for aspiring professionals. This indicates a shift in mindset among educators, who are increasingly viewing AI as a tool to improve curricula and skill-building. As the conversation evolves, it is evident that the integration of AI in education is poised to redefine traditional learning paradigms.
The Competitive Landscape of AI Tools
A discussion emerges regarding the competitive landscape among AI tools, particularly with new models from companies like Anthropic and Google’s Gemini making headlines. There are concerns surrounding OpenAI's ability to maintain its edge as competitors introduce models that excel in specific tasks like coding and creative writing. The rapid evolution of these technologies highlights a dynamic arms race in the AI sector, prompting industry observers to assess how these developments will impact user behavior and educational applications. Such shifts indicate a critical moment in the AI landscape, with implications for both consumers and educators.
AI's Role in Enhancing Creative Work
Google's introduction of a tool called Google Canvas enables real-time co-writing with AI, fostering collaborative and creative document creation. This innovation represents a significant step in integrating AI into educational settings, allowing educators and students to interact with AI as a creative partner. The potential applications of this technology extend to lesson planning and project development, streamlining workflows for teachers. As AI tools continue to evolve, the possibilities for enhancing creativity in education seem boundless, prompting educators to rethink traditional teaching methodologies.
Global AI Education Trends
The discussion also reflects on global trends in AI education, particularly China's ambitious plans to start AI education from a young age. There is a recognition of the disparities in how different countries are approaching AI integration, with some nations rapidly advancing while others lag behind. This highlights the importance of equitable educational opportunities in preparing students for the future job market. As nations grapple with the implications of AI on their educational systems, a collective response may be necessary to ensure that all students are equipped to thrive in a technology-driven world.
Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they break down a pivotal week of AI announcements, edtech disruption, and education policy shifts.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] China introduces AI education for 6-year-olds, sparking urgency for U.S. to respond [00:05:23] OpenAI teases a creative writing model as Google and Anthropic push into coding AI [00:07:59] Gemini Canvas and Deep Research go free, redefining educational productivity tools [00:11:09] Copyright clash: OpenAI wants to train on protected content, creatives push back [00:14:02] Gemini’s UI outpaces OpenAI with real classroom use cases [00:17:54] Chain of Draft from Zoom cuts AI costs by 90% and mimics human note-taking [00:18:34] Baidu, Alibaba launch emotion-reading and multi-modal AI models in China [00:20:50] Manus, China’s autonomous AI agent, sparks global interest in multi-agent systems [00:23:36] U.S. vs. China: centralized AI strategy meets decentralized innovation culture [00:27:57] U.S. Education Dept. shutters Office of Ed Tech, leaving a national guidance gap
Plus, special guests:
[00:30:11]Annie Chechitelli, CPO at Turnitin, on launching Clarity for ethical student AI use [01:03:49] Sara Mauskopf, CEO & Co-founder of Winnie, on expanding into K-12 and the rise of school choice
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 25 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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