Week in EdTech 8/20/25: GPT-5 Fallout & GPT-6 Memory, Blackstone Exits $6B Cognita Deal, Pearson AI Study Prep & More! Feat. Brittany Miller of Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, Jahque Bryan-Gooden of My CRE Buddy & Jim Marggraff of Kibeam Learning

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Aug 29, 2025

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Brittany Miller, the CIO at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, discusses how edtech partnerships can align funding with student outcomes. Jahque Bryan-Gooden, founder of My CRE Buddy, highlights the importance of culturally responsive education and innovative tools that cater to diverse student experiences. Jim Marggraff, CEO of Kibeam Learning, introduces screen-free AI tools designed to transform reading education. Together, they explore the intersection of AI advancements, systemic challenges in education, and the potential for personalized learning.

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INSIGHT

Memory Enables Precision Learning

GPT-6 memory could enable truly personalized, longitudinal learning that tracks habits, struggles, and preferences.
Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell see memory as key to unlocking precision learning beyond one-off answers.

INSIGHT

Practical AI Harms Outweigh AGI Panic

The nearer-term AI risks are scams, misinformation, and misuse by bad actors rather than speculative AGI takeovers.
Ben Kornell and Alex argue education must prioritize public AI literacy to help vulnerable populations.

INSIGHT

Learning Gaps Reflect Systemic Trauma

Post-COVID learning gaps vary by ZIP code, widening inequities despite rapid technology advances.
Alex and Ben link systemic trauma and funding pressures to stalled recovery in learning outcomes.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they dive into the biggest headlines shaping the future of education technology, from AI breakthroughs to new models of learning challenges.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:03:23] GPT-5 fallout and Altman’s vision for GPT-6
[00:08:14] AI risks: AGI fears, scams, misinformation
[00:14:37] Post-COVID learning gaps and inequities
[00:18:33] Students solving problems with AI
[00:21:42] AI updates from Google, Meta, Microsoft, Grammarly
[00:25:29] Higher ed: Minerva’s rise, enrollment, dropouts
[00:27:45] Micro-innovations from Stanford and student startups
[00:29:14] Funding shifts: early-stage gains, PE stress, Nintendo schools
[00:33:19] Cutting through AI hype cycles
[00:39:20] Schools banning phones for student wellness
[00:43:04] Big tech vs. local edtech visibility
[00:45:07] Blackstone exits $6B Cognita deal
[00:46:33] Pearson launches AI Study Prep

Plus, special guests:
[00:47:43] Brittany Miller, CIO and Executive Director at the Center for Outcomes-Based Contracting, on edtech-school partnerships
[01:10:31] Jahque Bryan-Gooden, Founder of My CRE Buddy on culturally responsive teaching with AI
[01:20:00] Jim Marggraff, CEO and Founder of Kibeam Learning on screen-free AI reading and learning tools

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