Week in EdTech 10/15/25: AI Adoption in Classroom Now Hits 85%, India’s EdTech Rebounds, Campus Acquires Sizzle AI, Learning Avatars, and More! Feat. Joy Chen of HeyGen & Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist

Oct 24, 2025

Joy Chen, an Enterprise Account Manager at HeyGen and expert in educational technology, discusses the transformative impact of AI avatars on instructional design. She highlights how these interactive tools enhance student engagement and personalization in learning environments. Meanwhile, Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, a theater scholar and author, delves into Lin-Manuel Miranda's creative journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and collaboration in education. The conversation explores the intersection of technology and creativity in shaping artists' paths.

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INSIGHT

AI Is Now Ubiquitous In Classrooms

85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI in the 2024–25 school year, showing near-ubiquity in classrooms.
Widespread use raises concerns about student-teacher connection and cognitive outsourcing among students.

INSIGHT

Text Chat Is No Longer The Dominant UI

The single chat-bar interface is becoming insufficient for learning; multimedia outputs matter more now.
Tools like Notebook LM and Google video styles push AI from text into tailored podcast and video experiences.

INSIGHT

Delivery Meets Learning Tech: Strategic M&A

Campus acquired Sizzle AI to combine delivery and personalized learning tech and accelerate roadmaps by years.
The deal reflects a pattern: technical AI firms pairing with contextual education providers to reach fit.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they explore the latest developments in education technology leading into NY EDTECH WEEK, from AI adoption in classrooms to major acquisitions and emerging trends across global EdTech.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:39] 85% of teachers and 86% of students used AI this year, sparking concerns about disconnection.
[00:05:21] Google’s Notebook LM and OpenAI apps mark the next phase of AI-driven learning.
[00:10:56] Campus acquires Sizzle AI to accelerate AI-powered associate degrees.
[00:17:46] “Combine or Die”: AI startups merge with delivery platforms to stay competitive.
[00:20:38] India’s EdTech resurgence with new investment from Google, Anthropic, and SpeakX AI.
[00:22:16] One in five teens report AI relationships, redefining digital social life.
[00:23:40] Computer science shifts from major to essential literacy for all students.
[00:28:15] AI’s rise mirrors the early internet era as it becomes part of everyday life.

Plus, special guests:
[00:33:56] Joy Chen, Enterprise Account Manager at HeyGen on how AI avatars are reshaping instructional design and interactive learning.
[00:59:55] Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, Author of Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, on creativity, mentorship, and the role of technology in artistic education

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