Week in EdTech 10/29/25: Alpha School's Backlash, Chegg Layoffs, Kaplan’s AI Pivot, Mem0’s “Memory Layer,” Big Tech vs. Higher Ed, and More! Feat. Rebecca Winthrop & Jenny Anderson, Authors of The Disengaged Teen and Justin Reich, MIT Teaching Systems Lab

Edtech Insiders

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they recap a post–New York EdTech Week full of highs and hard truths.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Alpha School's backlash and what it reveals about AI-based education.
[00:06:58] EdTech’s new K–20 alliance with Microsoft and Google for responsible AI.
[00:10:09] The risks and lessons from Alpha School's rapid rise and fall.
[00:21:53] Chegg cuts 45% of staff amid AI disruption and market pressure.
[00:26:01] Kaplan launches AI tools built on 85 years of learner data.
[00:31:02] Mem0 raises $23M to build a universal AI memory layer.
[00:38:10] Cal State’s OpenAI deal sparks debate on Big Tech in higher ed.
[00:44:18] The media’s anti-AI narrative and its impact on innovation.

Plus, special guests:
[00:50:24] Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and Jenny Anderson, award-winning journalist and co-author of The Disengaged Teen, on student agency, engagement, and the four learner modes.
[01:11:14] Justin Reich, Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, on AI in Schools: Perspectives for the Perplexed and how educators can experiment safely with emerging AI tools.

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Chapters

1. Alpha School's backlash and what it reveals about AI-based education. (00:00:00)

2. EdTech’s new K–20 alliance with Microsoft and Google for responsible AI. (00:07:19)

3. The risks and lessons from Alpha School's rapid rise and fall. (00:11:49)

4. Chegg cuts 45% of staff amid AI disruption and market pressure. (00:23:33)

5. Kaplan launches AI tools built on 85 years of learner data. (00:27:41)

6. Mem0 raises $23M to build a universal AI memory layer. (00:32:42)

7. Cal State’s OpenAI deal sparks debate on Big Tech in higher ed. (00:39:50)

8. The media’s anti-AI narrative and its impact on innovation. (00:45:58)

9. Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and Jenny Anderson, award-winning journalist and co-author of The Disengaged Teen, on student agency, engagement, and the four learner modes. (00:52:04)

10. Justin Reich, Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, on AI in Schools: Perspectives for the Perplexed and how educators can experiment safely with emerging AI tools. (01:12:54)

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