Major EdTech Developments
The education technology landscape continues to evolve rapidly, with significant advancements in AI integration, institutional reforms, and innovative learning tools. Here are the week’s top stories:
AI-Powered Learning Initiatives
- Acer UK and Intel have launched an AI-powered learning project at Millgate School, a specialist institution for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The initiative uses Acer’s TravelMate laptops with Intel Core Ultra processors to enhance personalized learning and classroom efficiency.
- General Assembly has introduced an AI Academy to address the AI skills gap in non-technical roles across various industries. The program offers modular training in areas such as HR, marketing, and product management.
Institutional Changes and Collaborations
- Coventry University is implementing a major shift in its course delivery structure, moving from a traditional semester model to year-round six-week teaching blocks across all campuses.
- Corndel, Imperial Executive Education, and Microsoft have partnered to launch the Enterprise AI Academy, aiming to skill 10,000 professionals in AI by the end of 2025.
Digital Safety and Learning Tools
- Smoothwall has introduced Cloud Scan, an automated platform that detects potentially harmful content in school cloud storage, scanning every 24 hours and alerting designated safeguarding leads.
- Degreed has unveiled several AI-powered features to enhance workforce learning and reduce training costs, including updates to Degreed Maestro and the launch of Degreed Open Library.
Research and Scholarship
- Amazon has awarded 400 high school seniors across the United States with scholarships worth up to $40,000 each through its Amazon Future Engineer program, supporting computer science education.
- Turnitin’s recent study revealed that students are more concerned about AI’s impact on learning than educators or administrators, based on a survey of 3,500 participants across multiple countries.
International Developments
- Serbia is set to host a €50 million National AI Factory, established by Eviden (a subsidiary of Atos Group), providing supercomputing power and AI resources for universities, public institutions, and private organizations.
- Four students from IIT Mandi have been selected for the Physics League Across Numerous Countries for Kick-ass Students (PLANCKS) 2025 competition in Barcelona, Spain.
These developments highlight the ongoing transformation in education technology, with a strong focus on AI integration, innovative learning methods, and institutional adaptations to meet evolving educational needs.
