Week in EdTech 9/10/25: Apple Integrates OpenAI & Gemini to Siri, NAEP Scores Show Continued Learning Loss, EdTech Funding Slows, Alpha Schools’ 2-hour AI Model Sparks Debate, and More! Feat. Chris Walsh of PBLWorks

Edtech Insiders

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Join hosts Alex Sarlin and guest co-hosts Matt Tower of Whiteboard Advisors, & Kate Eberle Walker, CEO of Presence as they break down the latest headlines in education technology and from Big Tech’s AI push to the evolving future of school models.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Kate Eberle Walker on parents’ concerns about AI chatbots and student mental health
[00:03:20] Apple integrates OpenAI and Gemini into Siri, reshaping the AI race
[00:04:15] Global AI shake-up: Microsoft shifts to Anthropic, Baidu gains ground, Google antitrust update
[00:14:45] Edtech funding slowdown and investor focus on regulated markets like special education
[00:18:07] OpenAI launches certifications for frontline workers; Google gamifies AI literacy with Stanford
[00:27:43] First NAEP results post-pandemic show continued learning loss and lack of political focus on academics
[00:39:01] Accountability challenges in education: attendance, wellness, and equity in public vs. private models
[00:43:46] Debate on Alpha Schools’ “two hours of AI per day” model and its implications for learning

Plus, special guest:
[00:50:17] Chris Walsh, Chief Product and Technology Officer of PBLWorks on scaling project-based learning

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is once again brought to you by Tuck Advisors, the M&A firm for EdTech companies. Run by serial entrepreneurs with over 30 years of experience founding, investing in, and selling companies, Tuck believes you deserve M&A advisors who work as hard as you do.

Ednition helps EdTech companies reclaim rostering and own their integrations. Through its flagship platform, RosterStream, Ednition replaces costly data providers and complex internal infrastructure with direct, secure connections to any SIS or data source. The result: scalable integrations, lower costs, and seamless experiences for schools and districts of every size. With Ednition: Reclaim rostering. Own your integrations. Cut the cost.

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.

Chapters

1. Kate Eberle Walker on parents’ concerns about AI chatbots and student mental health (00:00:00)

2. Apple integrates OpenAI and Gemini into Siri, reshaping the AI race (00:03:36)

3. Global AI shake-up: Microsoft shifts to Anthropic, Baidu gains ground, Google antitrust update (00:04:31)

4. Edtech funding slowdown and investor focus on regulated markets like special education (00:15:01)

5. OpenAI launches certifications for frontline workers; Google gamifies AI literacy with Stanford (00:18:23)

6. First NAEP results post-pandemic show continued learning loss and lack of political focus on academics (00:28:55)

7. Accountability challenges in education: attendance, wellness, and equity in public vs. private models (00:40:13)

8. Debate on Alpha Schools’ “two hours of AI per day” model and its implications for learning (00:44:58)

9. Chris Walsh, Chief Product and Technology Officer of PBLWorks on scaling project-based learning (00:51:29)

403 episodes

#Tech #Podcasting Education #News #Tech News #Alex Sarlin