Week in EdTech 8/13/25: Back-to-School Uncertainty, B2B vs B2C Learning, GPT-5 Backlash, School Choice Surge, Google’s Gemini Power Play, and More! Feat. Evan Harris of Pathos Consulting Group, Becky Keene of AI Optimism & Max Spero of Pangram Labs

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Aug 22, 2025

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Max Spero

Evan Harris, President of Pathos Consulting Group, discusses the rising threat of deepfake abuse in schools and the need for crisis response strategies. Becky Keene, author of AI Optimism, shares insights on integrating AI literacy for teachers while advocating for innovative teaching methods. Max Spero of Pangram Labs explores how emerging tech can transform education. They delve into the backlash against the GPT-5 rollout, the shifting dynamics between B2B and B2C educational models, and the urgent call for an AI user Bill of Rights to empower students in the digital landscape.

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INSIGHT

Back-To-School Uncertainty Shrinks Agency

Back-to-school this year feels dour due to federal funding uncertainty and shifting policy decisions.
Edtech companies are stuck downstream of major policy and model-provider changes, reducing their agency.

INSIGHT

B2C Learning Growth Vs B2B Contraction

Learning is shifting toward consumer (B2C) channels while institutional (B2B) budgets tighten.
This divergence may widen the innovation aperture for consumer learning but narrow it for school-focused products.

INSIGHT

Big Tech Moves From Infra To Apps

Big tech is moving from infrastructure to building application-layer learning products that compete directly with edtech B2C offerings.
That shift threatens companies that rely on APIs but don't control the final learning application surface.

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin, Ben Kornell, and guest co-host Matt Tower from Whiteboard Advisors for a back-to-school edition of Week in EdTech, covering market shifts, Big Tech’s push into education, the GPT-5 rollout, and the rising challenge of deepfake abuse in schools.

✨ Episode Highlights:

[00:03:40] Back-to-school funding uncertainty and “back-to-basics” mentality
[00:06:40] B2C vs. B2B: consumer learning grows while institutions tighten
[00:09:31] Big Tech moves from infrastructure to competing in applications
[00:13:40] GPT-5 rollout backlash and prioritization of B2C users
[00:17:34] Rethinking schools’ role: raising the floor vs. raising the ceiling
[00:19:52] School choice and flexible student pathways through ESAs
[00:20:58] Proposal for an AI user Bill of Rights
[00:27:36] Media panic: critiques of AI in education from major outlets
[00:34:19] SoftBank executive buys stake in UK university
[00:38:10] Workforce training gap: Google and Microsoft invest billions
[00:39:12] Google’s Gemini leads in image and video generation

Plus, special guests:
[00:49:18] Evan Harris, President of Pathos Consulting Group, on deepfake abuse in schools and crisis response
[00:56:02] Becky Keene, author of AI Optimism, on AI literacy for teachers and classroom integration
[01:03:47] Max Spero, Co-Founder and CEO of Pangram Labs, on building future-ready schools with emerging tech

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