Year-End Special Part 1: Reviewing 2025 + 2026 AI & EdTech Predictions from Reach Capital, HMH, Brisk & More!

Dec 24, 2025

Guest

Andrew Goldman

Guest

Tom Vander Ark, founder of Getting Smart, dives into automation's effects on education goals, advocating for AI literacy. Bjorn Bilhardt, CEO of Abilitie, forecasts radical changes in higher education driven by AI. Jacob Cantor, from JK K12EDU, shares insights on K-12 engagement and the potential of conversational AI. Jennifer Carolan from Reach Capital highlights a shift towards micro-schools and applied assessments. Andrew Goldman from HMH Labs points to the rapid rise in teacher adoption of AI, focusing on outcomes and interdisciplinary collaboration.

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INSIGHT

Year Of AI Backlash

Ben Kornell predicts a social backlash to AI in education that drives AI features "under the hood" in 2026.
He expects a renewed premium placed on human-delivered experiences despite AI ubiquity.

INSIGHT

Educator Adoption Accelerated

HMH research shows a dramatic jump in educator AI adoption and confidence in 2025.
This rapid individual adoption reduces implementation lag as teachers integrate AI into classrooms.

INSIGHT

Multimodal AI Matures Faster Than Agents

Alex Sarlin notes AI video, translation, and multimodal content matured rapidly in 2025 though agents lagged.
He sees translation and creative media as early winners; agent workflows remain niche.

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2025 was a defining year for AI in education. From rapid adoption to rising educator confidence and growing questions about what comes next.

In Part 1 of our year-end reflections and predictions, Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell revisit their 2025 reflections and look ahead to what 2026 may bring for EdTech, AI, and the future of learning.

🎙️ Featuring insights from:

Tom Vander Ark, Founder & CEO, Getting Smart
Bjorn Billhardt, CEO, Abilitie
Jacob Kantor, Founder & Chief DODO, JK K12 EDU
Arman Jaffer, Founder & CEO, Brisk Teaching
Ian McCullough, Founder & Principal, McCullough Marketing and Management
Jennifer Carolan, General Partner, Reach Capital
Andrew Goldman, EVP, HMH Labs

From educator adoption curves to Big Tech’s growing influence, this episode brings together operators, investors, and strategists to unpack what’s shaping education’s next chapter.

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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