Edtech Insiders

Send us a textIn this special episode, we sit down with three innovative Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE) students who are exploring cutting-edge applications of AI in education. Michael Chrzan is a Master’s student and Dean’s Fellow in the Education Data Science program at Stanford. A former Master Teacher in Detroit, he taught Mathematics and AP Computer Science for seven years. His research uses machine learning to predict large-scale school closures and inform equitable decision-making.Matías Hoyl is a Computer Science graduate from Chile and an edtech entrepreneur who has founded two startups focused on improving learning through technology. He led a coding bootcamp for women in Latin America, helping them launch tech careers. At Stanford, he is researching AI applications in education, including synthetic student simulations and AI-generated teaching tools.Samin Khan is an AI researcher specializing in K-12 and higher education and currently an AI Research Scientist at Kiddom. His work focuses on developing AI models for curriculum development, lesson planning, and grading. At Stanford’s Education NLP Lab, he researches dialogue-based pedagogy and student engagement using large language models.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:How AI-powered predictive modeling can help districts plan for school closures.The potential of synthetic students to improve assessment design and instruction.How AI is supporting teachers with curriculum implementation and real-time feedback.Why AI tutors may not improve student learning outcomes as expected.The risks and opportunities of AI in education, especially for equity and accessibility.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:06:07] Michael Chrzan on using machine learning to predict school closures.[00:10:51] Samin Khan on AI’s role in lesson planning and teacher feedback.[00:16:37] Matías Hoyl on simulating student learning with AI-powered models.[00:24:09] Balancing AI research with real-world edtech applications.[00:31:39] The importance of data, bias, and transparency in AI for education.[00:46:11] Will AI improve or widen equity gaps in education?😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead. Tuck Advisors is the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 25 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Matthew Rascoff, Vice Provost for Digital Education at Stanford, discusses the seismic shifts in education as the U.S. Department of Education faces massive layoffs and funding cuts. He highlights how 80% of teachers now use AI in lesson planning, while 82% of K-12 schools report cyber incidents. Rascoff introduces Stanford's 'Humanity in the Loop' framework for AI and shares insights from Duolingo's effective practices. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for innovative funding models and the potential for AI to reshape learning experiences.

Michelle Rhee, a Venture Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures and former D.C. Chancellor, shares her insights on the transformative landscape of education and workforce development. She discusses how skills-based hiring is reshaping recruitment, shifting focus from traditional degrees to real-world competencies. Rhee emphasizes the role of AI in connecting youth to diverse career paths outside the college route. She also explores investment opportunities in alternative educational models and innovative policies like education savings accounts that could revolutionize K-12 education.

Claire Zau, Partner and AI lead at GSV, shares her insights on the dynamics of AI in education. The discussion previews the ASU GSV Conference and its focus on AI innovations. ChatGPT hits a staggering 400 million users, underscoring AI's expanding role. They delve into Google's Career Dreamer, designed to personalize educational journeys, and Chegg’s lawsuit against Google, questioning AI's influence on SEO. Zau also discusses the immersive potential of VR in classrooms and offers sage advice for EdTech entrepreneurs looking to integrate AI effectively.

Bjorn Billhardt, CEO of Abilitie and a seasoned expert in leadership development, shares insights on the future of business education. He discusses how AI is revolutionizing leadership training with real-time simulations that enhance decision-making and judgment. Bjorn emphasizes the importance of transfer skills over rote memorization and highlights the growing trend of mini MBAs. The conversation also explores AI's role in boosting social learning and improving essential management skills, redefining what it means to learn in the corporate world.

This week, the hosts tackle exciting AI developments reshaping education, like deep reasoning models and AI-powered learning companions. There’s a shake-up at BrainPop, hinting at significant strategic shifts in the edtech landscape. The decline of gamification raises questions about user engagement. Additionally, they discuss the tight job market in edtech, exploring challenges and opportunities amid hiring slowdowns. Listeners can expect insights from the Bay Area EdTech Summit and a look at future innovations coming to the industry.

Pierre Dubuc, co-founder and CEO of OpenClassrooms, leads a conversation on the future of education and job training. He discusses how degree apprenticeships are replacing traditional internships, providing students with real work experience. AI is reshaping education, enabling personalized learning and enhancing job placement. Dubuc highlights the disconnect between higher education and employment, advocating for programs that integrate education with career paths. Learn how OpenClassrooms is tackling these challenges and paving the way for accessible, career-focused learning.

In this insightful discussion with Libby Hills, who leads EdTech initiatives at the Jacobs Foundation and co-hosts the EdTechnical podcast, the conversation covers vital trends shaping education technology. They delve into OpenAI's new research tool, Deep Research, and the competitive landscape created by DeepSeek AI. The impacts of federal funding cuts on educational research and tutoring services are also exposed. Additionally, they examine ongoing learning losses post-COVID and the importance of adapting educational approaches to leverage AI effectively.

Adam Franklin, a former high school history teacher and edtech entrepreneur, discusses his transition from Nearpod to founding StudyBuds, a platform for AI-powered teachable agents. He highlights how these agents foster deeper engagement by allowing students to learn through teaching. Adam critiques traditional assessments and explains how AI can improve them. The conversation dives into the potential of AI to co-create with students, offering them a sense of agency. Lastly, he emphasizes the exciting role of venture studios in advancing AI technologies in education.

Jeff Maggioncalda, former CEO of Coursera, led the company to over 160 million learners. He discusses how Coursera is evolving its AI-powered content, making learning more accessible and personalized. The conversation highlights the rise of generative AI in online education and its impact on workforce upskilling. Jeff shares insights on balancing AI innovation with academic integrity and the importance of adapting education for the skills-based economy. His vision for the future integrates AI seamlessly into learning, benefiting both professionals and students alike.