

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

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 10min
Year-End Special Part 2: 2024 Reflections and 2025 Predictions by EdTech Industry Leaders
Join industry leaders Jomayra Herrera, partner at Reach Capital, and Amit Patel from Owl Ventures, as they share insights on the transformative impact of AI in education and global opportunities. Ben Wallerstein discusses the potential fallout from ESSER funding expiration, while John Higginson emphasizes advances in mobile and voice AI. Karl Rectanus predicts leaps in global EdTech innovation, highlighting the importance of ethical AI, as Andrew Goldman explores how generative AI can deliver high-quality content in schools.

Jan 24, 2025 • 1h 42min
Week in Edtech 1/15/2025: LA School Fires, ChatGPT's To-Do's & Reminders Feature, PowerSchool Data Breach, $175M for Element451, Student Loan Forgiveness, and More! Feat. Emily Lai of Pearson, Dominik Kovacs of Colossyan and Adele Smolansky of AI-Learners
In this discussion, Emily Lai, VP at Pearson, dives into AI tools that enhance learning outcomes and study habits. Adele Smolansky, CEO of AI-Learners, reveals how AI is transforming accessibility in education. Dominik Kovacs, founder of Colossyan, shares insights on using AI-driven video solutions to create personalized learning experiences. The conversation also tackles urgent issues like recent wildfires impacting LA schools and a significant data breach at PowerSchool, highlighting the critical role of technology in navigating these challenges.

Jan 22, 2025 • 50min
Building Bridges to Employment with Real World Learning featuring Sara Leoni and Jeff Sample of Ziplines Education
Sara Leoni, Founder and CEO of Ziplines Education, and Jeff Sample, VP of Product at Ziplines and former CEO of Clicked, dive into the transformative world of career readiness. They discuss how experiential learning and real-world simulations fill the skills gap in the tech job market. Sara emphasizes partnerships with universities to deliver industry-recognized certifications. Jeff highlights the importance of tools like Salesforce and Tableau in job preparation, while both reflect on the acquisition process and its impact on enhancing learner confidence.

Jan 20, 2025 • 50min
The Rise of AI-Powered Educational Tools with Yair Shapira of NovoDia
In this insightful discussion, Yair Shapira, Founder and CEO of NovoDia, shares his journey from Amplio Learning to pioneering AI-powered educational publishing. He highlights how AI can create customized curricula that meet diverse classroom needs and addresses the limitations of traditional models. Yair explores the transformative potential of generative AI in producing engaging, adaptive learning materials and the future of personalized education. His passion for enhancing educational equity through technology shines throughout the conversation.

Jan 17, 2025 • 58min
New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 5: Jonathan Katzman on YouTube Learning and Lisa Gevelber on Workforce Training
Jonathan Katzman, Director of Product Management at YouTube Learning, discusses YouTube's evolution into a dynamic educational platform, emphasizing AI-driven features that personalize learning. He shares insights on the role of content creators in fostering engagement and the Global impact of 'edutubers.' Lisa Gevelber, founder of Grow with Google, highlights the success of Google Career Certificates in transforming workforce skills, stressing the importance of alternative pathways to employment and the integration of AI tools for job readiness.

Jan 16, 2025 • 59min
New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 4: Yossi Matias and Obum Ekeke on AI’s Transformative Role in Learning
Yossi Matias, Vice President at Google Research, and Obum Ekeke, Head of Education Partnerships at Google DeepMind, share their insights on AI’s impact on education. They discuss groundbreaking AI tools like LearnLM that enhance accessibility and promote equitable learning experiences. The importance of community feedback in refining AI applications is emphasized, along with the vision of AI personalization for diverse learning styles. Both guests advocate for democratizing AI knowledge to empower underrepresented groups in tech education.

12 snips
Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 11min
New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 3: Shantanu Sinha, Jennie Magiera, and Steven Johnson on AI in Education
In this engaging discussion, Shantanu Sinha, VP & GM of Google for Education, shares his insights on the transformative role of AI in learning. Jennie Magiera, a champion for equity in education, emphasizes how AI tools can empower marginalized voices. Steven Johnson delves into the impact of NotebookLM on personalized research and efficient learning practices. The trio explores innovative ways educators worldwide are integrating AI, enhancing creativity, and redefining assessment methods—all aimed at revolutionizing educational experiences.

Jan 14, 2025 • 56min
New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 2: Benedict Gomes and Maureen Heymans on AI, Learning, and Sustainability
Benedict Gomes and Maureen Heymans from Google dive into groundbreaking educational innovations and sustainability efforts. Benedict discusses the evolution of learning tools like Google Classroom and the shift to audio-based learning. Maureen elaborates on AI's role in personalizing education and providing unique tutoring experiences. Together, they explore Google’s initiatives to enhance global access to quality education, focusing on equity and the integration of technology to tackle climate challenges, creating a brighter future for all learners.

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 16min
New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 1: Postcards from the "Learning in the AI Era" Event
In this engaging conversation, Maureen Heymans, VP of Engineering at Google, discusses utilizing AI to personalize learning and improve access to education. Steven Johnson, Editorial Director at Google Labs, emphasizes the collaboration needed to drive innovation. Yossi Matias, VP at Google Research, highlights breakthroughs in machine learning. Obum Ekeke, from Google DeepMind, talks about diversifying the AI workforce and making knowledge accessible. Together, they explore how AI is transforming educational experiences and fostering more inclusive learning environments.

Jan 10, 2025 • 54min
From Clunky Systems to Seamless Schools: How Sisi is Changing the Game
Jett Wolper, Founder and CEO of SiSi, and Brandon Porterfield, Co-principal of Hope International Academy Okinawa, discuss the challenges of fragmented school management. They unveil SiSi’s all-in-one platform that streamlines tasks and enhances learning, reducing the chaos of multiple systems. The duo dives into the revolutionary role of AI in education, from virtual teaching assistants to enhancing personalized learning. They also share how user feedback shapes tech solutions, making education more inclusive and engaging.