

Edtech Insiders
Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell
At Edtech Insiders, we interview founders, investors, operators, educators, and thought leaders about the future of education technology. You’ll hear from leaders across the education technology industry and learn about all of the important edtech trends happening globally.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 10, 2025 • 54min
Turning Trusted Books into Personal Learning Agents with Aibrary
Frank Wu, co-founder of Aibrary and Harvard Kennedy School graduate, teams up with Susan Wang, Chief Growth Officer and Yale alum, to discuss the urgent need for lifelong learning in the age of AI. They delve into how Aibrary transforms trusted books into personalized, bite-sized audio lessons. The duo emphasizes the importance of grounding content in reliable sources and utilizing the Idea Twin for tailoring learning experiences. They envision a future where self-knowledge and real-world application become central to education.

Dec 8, 2025 • 54min
The Rise of AI Companions: What Parents and Educators Need to Know with Dr. Sonia Tiwari
Dr. Sonia Tiwari, a children's media researcher with expertise in character design and a background in animation, dives into how AI influences children's relationships with characters. She discusses the blend of entertainment and education, highlighting the unique challenges of turning beloved characters into interactive AI. Sonia emphasizes the importance of designing safe and effective AI companions, encouraging support for creativity rather than replacement. Discover the ethical considerations and engaging stories that shape children's learning experiences.

Dec 1, 2025 • 57min
Teaching Lab Studio: Co-Designing AI Tools with Educators
Dr. Sarah Johnson, CEO of Teaching Lab, leads a dynamic discussion on co-designing AI tools with educators. Riz Malik shares insights on CoTeach, an AI assistant tailored for math instruction. Gautam Thapar explains how Enlighten AI personalizes grading and feedback to support teachers. Louisa Rosenheck emphasizes using AI to enhance instructional coaching and student engagement. They dive into integrating pedagogy with technology, highlighting projects that aim to empower teachers and foster innovative learning environments.

Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 4min
Week in EdTech 11/19/25: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT for K–12, Google Deepens AI Push, Edtech Tools Face New Classroom Backlash, and More! Feat. Janos Perczel of Polygence & Dr. Stephen Hodges of Efekta Education
In this engaging discussion, Janos Perczel, CEO of Polygence, shares insights on scaling project-based learning with AI and how TeachLM optimizes student-teacher interactions. He emphasizes the importance of authentic data for training effective tutoring models. Joining him, Dr. Stephen Hodges, CEO of EFECTA Education, highlights how AI-driven tools are transforming language learning, providing students with personalized feedback and proven test score improvements. Together, they tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education.

Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 2min
Inside the Google AI for Learning Forum: How Google Is Building the Future of Learning
In this intriguing discussion, Shantanu Sinha, VP at Google for Education, shares how educators gain control over AI tools. Tal Oppenheimer reveals Google's strategy for personalized learning experiences across various platforms. Julia Wilkowski explains the importance of applying learning science principles, while Maureen Heymans discusses making education more engaging through AI. Together, they explore new AI capabilities in classrooms, discussing effective feedback loops and the blend of innovative content creation that enhances both teaching and learning.

8 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 49min
How Higher Ed Can Actually Prepare Students for Work with Brandon Busteed of Edconic
Brandon Busteed, CEO of Edconic and a leader in work-integrated learning, discusses vital gaps between higher education and the workforce. He highlights why many graduates are deemed unprepared by employers and the shortcomings of traditional internships. Busteed advocates for integrating liberal arts with practical skills and suggests innovative solutions like micro-internships. He also emphasizes the role of AI in bridging academic knowledge with job skills, while showcasing successful models like student-run businesses to enhance career exposure.

12 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 1h 12min
Week in Edtech 11/12/2025: Google DeepMind AI Forum Recap, Duolingo Crash, Parents Turn to Screen-Free EdTech, AI Companions in Schools, and More! Feat. Michelle Culver (The Rithm Project), Erin Mote (InnovateEDU), & Ben Caulfield (Eedi)
In this engaging discussion, guests Ben Caulfield, CEO of Eedi, reveals how their AI tutoring matches human performance, thanks to groundbreaking research with Google DeepMind. Michelle Culver, founder of The Rithm Project, addresses the psychological risks of AI companions, emphasizing pro-social design in education. Erin Mote, CEO of InnovateEDU, talks about the vital need for safety and transparency in AI tools. The group explores rising demand for screen-free edtech, reflecting a new direction in educational technology.

Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 6min
EDTECH WEEK Shark Tank Champions: AI, XR, and The Future of Learning
In this insightful discussion, Christy Pang, CEO of Lirvana Labs, shares insights on multilingual AI learning companions designed for trauma-informed education. Jason Palmer, from SoCrate, reveals how voice-activated tools can minimize teacher workloads by converting speech to structured data. Robin Cowie, founder of Skillmaker.ai, discusses using XR and smart glasses to revolutionize automotive training, while Neel Rao of Glimmer explains how AI-driven insights can enhance personalized math instruction. Together, they illuminate the future of educational technology across diverse sectors.

Nov 17, 2025 • 47min
Pokémon to Prodigy: How Game-Based Learning Captivated 20 Million Students with Rohan Mahimker
Rohan Mahimkar, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Prodigy Education, shares how his childhood gaming passion led to creating a game-based math platform used by over 20 million kids. They discuss Prodigy's unique 'motivation first' approach and an innovative freemium model that helps schools keep costs down. Rohan reveals how adaptive algorithms personalize learning and details the massive Prodigy State Challenge, which engages millions. He also explores future integrations of AI and plans to expand beyond math, ensuring global access to engaging education.

Nov 13, 2025 • 1h 8min
Teaching the AI Generation with Mireia Torello of Aikreate
Mireia Torello, CEO and co-founder of Aikreate, is on a mission to revolutionize AI literacy for students and educators worldwide. With a PhD in Earth Sciences, she discusses how AI literacy is a crucial mindset for the future. Mireia reveals how teaching ethics and collaboration with AI can empower students. She emphasizes integrating AI across all subjects rather than confining it to a single class. Mireia also shares insights on training teachers alongside students and highlights the role of safety in adopting AI technologies in schools.


