New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 2: Benedict Gomes and Maureen Heymans on AI, Learning, and Sustainability

Jan 14, 2025

Benedict Gomes and Maureen Heymans from Google dive into groundbreaking educational innovations and sustainability efforts. Benedict discusses the evolution of learning tools like Google Classroom and the shift to audio-based learning. Maureen elaborates on AI's role in personalizing education and providing unique tutoring experiences. Together, they explore Google’s initiatives to enhance global access to quality education, focusing on equity and the integration of technology to tackle climate challenges, creating a brighter future for all learners.

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INSIGHT

Modalities of Learning

Reading is not the most natural way for people to learn; audio and visual modalities are.
Unlocking these modalities can enable learning for those who struggle with reading.

INSIGHT

Natural Learning Modalities

While reading feels natural, audio and visual learning are more aligned with brain structure and human evolution.
New learning modalities could help those who struggle with traditional reading methods.

ANECDOTE

Illuminate and NotebookLM

Krishna Bharat used AI to create Illuminate, an audio experience for technical papers.
NotebookLM uses similar technology, showing how audio modalities can enhance learning.

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Benedict Gomes, SVP of Learning & Sustainability at Google, leads efforts to transform education and tackle global climate challenges. His organization develops tools like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and YouTube-based learning platforms, empowering educators and learners worldwide. Ben also drives sustainability initiatives, including decarbonization and creating global environmental data solutions.

Maureen Heymans, VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability at Google, oversees AI integration into tools like Search, YouTube, and Classroom to democratize access to quality education. She collaborates across teams to pioneer personalized learning technologies while leading sustainability initiatives that harness AI to address climate challenges and drive impactful global solutions.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Google is revolutionizing learning with products like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and Learn About.
The role of AI in creating personalized tutors for students and teaching assistants for educators.
Insights into Google’s efforts to make sustainability a core part of its mission through AI and partnerships.
How Google collaborates across teams to integrate pedagogy into AI tools like LearnLM.
The vision for equitable access to personalized education worldwide, powered by AI.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:02:18] Ben shares how AI is transforming education and Google’s vision for supporting learning globally.
[00:03:48] Discussing the importance of multimodal learning tools and products like NotebookLM and YouTube.
[00:19:24] Maureen reflects on how project-based learning and the pandemic inspired her focus on education.
[00:37:16] Explaining LearnX’s collaborative approach to driving learning innovations across Google’s ecosystem.
[00:46:16] Introducing Learn About, a new AI-driven conversational tool combining pedagogy with the power of the web.
[00:53:30] Envisioning a future where AI makes high-quality, personalized education accessible to billions globally.

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor:

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Starbridge. 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.

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.