Week in Edtech 3/18/26: NVIDIA’s Agentic AI Land Grab, ASU’s AI Playbook, AI Literacy vs Screen Bans, School Choice Expansion, Edtech Funding Shifts, and More! Feat. Aaron Cuny of AI for Equity & Joshua Broggi of Woolf

10 snips

Mar 27, 2026

Joshua Broggi, founder and CEO of Woolf, modernizing higher ed with competency-based pathways and prior-learning credit. Aaron Cuny, CEO of AI for Equity, building AI leadership capacity in K–12. They unpack NVIDIA’s platform push, agentic AI and solopreneur opportunities. They debate AI literacy versus screen bans, ASU’s AI playbook, school choice expansion, and shifting edtech funding trends.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

ASU Shows What An AI Ready University Looks Like

Steve Shapiro calls Arizona State University a blueprint for future-ready higher ed after visiting campus labs and student projects.
He observed ASU's labs, collaboration patterns, and rubrics as evidence of students graduating with practical, future-ready skills.

ADVICE

Create Role Based Communities Of Practice For AI Adoption

Build cross-functional role-based communities of practice to drive coherent AI adoption across C-suite, IT, talent and instructional teams.
Aaron Cuny says sustained, multi-year peer cohorts accelerate adaptive change more than one-off PD.

ADVICE

Shift Philanthropy Toward Absorption Capacity Not Just Tech

Prioritize long-term capacity building over one-off trainings; invest philanthropic dollars in absorption capacity.
Aaron recommends multi-year partnerships and ongoing support to move complex AI initiatives from vision to classroom practice.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Send us Fan Mail

Join hosts Ben Kornell and special co-host Steve Shapiro, Founder of Finetune.AI, as they break down the biggest stories shaping AI, workforce disruption, K–12 policy, and the future of higher education.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:05:10] NVIDIA signals the shift from AI experimentation to a full-scale platform “land grab”
[00:08:19] Early signs of AI-driven productivity gains point to real workforce disruption
[00:13:16] Governments invest in AI retraining, labor upskilling, and workforce preparedness
[00:15:27] Apprenticeships emerge as a critical pathway as entry-level jobs decline
[00:17:17] AI “agent armies” could make one-person businesses more viable than ever
[00:19:23] Schools balance AI literacy initiatives with rising pressure for screen bans
[00:21:23] Debate grows over big tech’s responsibility in supporting education systems
[00:24:14] Media backlash questions edtech’s impact on student learning outcomes
[00:28:00] School choice expands rapidly, with mixed impacts across states
[00:32:09] ASU highlighted as a leading model for AI-ready higher education
[00:34:10] Edtech funding shifts to more deals with smaller check sizes
[00:36:01] Startups scale faster with less capital due to AI-powered development
[00:37:41] Optimism grows for edtech innovation over the next 12–24 months

Plus, special guests:
[00:38:59] Aaron Cuny, CEO of AI for Equity, on building AI leadership capacity in school systems
[01:06:39] Joshua Broggi, CEO and Founder of Woolf, on rethinking higher education with competency-based models

😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders!

🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

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 o

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.

Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now.

Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.