Edtech Insiders

Priyank Chodisetti, co-founder and CEO of Workback.ai and former Coursera engineering lead, builds AI tools to automate accessibility audits and remediation. He discusses ADA Title II’s digital expansion and why procurement now hinges on compliance. He explains how AI can shrink audits from months to days and how continuous CI/CD checks keep products compliant and scalable.

Dr. Kathy Weston, founder of Tooled Up Education and parenting expert, offers evidence-based support for families and schools. She discusses how COVID reshaped home–school relationships. She rejects blanket screen-time rules and highlights quality digital experiences. She explains how AI can help parents and reduce teacher workload while preserving trust and nuance.

Karl Rectanus, CEO of Really Great Reading, champions evidence-driven K–3 literacy. Dan Meyer, VP of User Growth at Amplify and former math teacher, explores math instruction and classroom practice. They discuss AI-native curriculum moves, data ownership battles, Kira’s shift to an AI LMS, a UK AI pilot for SEND, Texas ESA voucher growth, and how AI fits real classrooms.

Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD and former U.S. EdTech director, champions shaping innovative learning leaders. He explains why AI-readiness is about human skills, not coding. Short takes cover using AI to deepen learning, making project-based and personalized learning practical, valuing questions over answers, and modeling healthy, ethical tech use for students.

Jeremy Smith, CEO and co-founder of pega6, builds one-year AI-first career accelerators as a college alternative. Conversation covers SchoolAI findings on teachers using AI for reasoning. Denver’s ChatGPT block and district shifts to Gemini. Massive SoftBank/OpenAI funding and the Gemini vs Anthropic race. China’s K–12 AI literacy push and rising phone bans in schools. Higher ed retention challenges and skills-first workforce pathways.

Shangyup Kim, CEO of ZEP QUIZ, builds metaverse + AI learning worlds to motivate students. Jangwoo Bae, former teacher and school administrator, bridges classroom needs and product design. They discuss multiplayer mechanics for engagement. They cover balancing fun with pedagogy, scaling across markets, teacher workflows, safety and localization, and where AI can personalize quiz-based learning.

John Gamba, Entrepreneur in Residence at Catalyst at Penn GSE, has been pivotal in mentoring education entrepreneurs and leading impactful competitions. He delves into the critical evolution of AI in education, discussing its transition from experimentation to meaningful implementation. Gamba emphasizes the importance of centering equity in education innovation, measuring real learning outcomes over mere funding. He also warns against 'AI junk food,' advocating for responsible AI use that addresses the holistic needs of learners.

Nicole Jarbo, CEO of 4.0 Schools and host of the Pitch Playground podcast, dives into the educational imagination crisis. She argues that technology alone won't drive reform; instead, innovation must be imaginable, viable, and reachable. Nicole highlights the importance of nurturing founder ecosystems for lasting impact rather than one-off pilots. She stresses responsible AI adoption and urges educators to embrace new ideas to combat systemic stagnation, insisting that imagination is the key to a brighter educational future.

Dora Palfi, Co-founder and CEO of imagi, is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree with expertise in neuroscience and human-computer interaction. In this discussion, she explores the transformative power of creative coding in education, especially for non-technical students. Dora explains how imagi partners with advanced AI tools like Lovable to enrich curriculum and foster AI literacy. She highlights the innovative concept of 'vibe coding' and shares inspiring classroom examples, showcasing how coding can spark creativity across diverse subjects.

Eli Luberoff, the founder of Desmos Studio, creates engaging digital math tools while Rebecca Winthrop, from the Brookings Institution, leads research on global education. They dive into the ongoing tech backlash around screen time and the impact of recent PowerSchool layoffs on educators. Eli shares insights on Desmos' evolution and their focus on user creativity, while Rebecca warns that AI risks overshadow current benefits for students, urging a careful approach to its integration in education.