A few weeks ago, the Edtech Insiders team had the opportunity to attend Google’s Learning in the AI Era event, which explored the intersection of AI, education, and Google’s suite of tools supporting this evolving landscape.
During the event, we had the chance to record some amazing behind-the-scenes interviews with several members of the Google team, including Ben Gomes, Shantanu Sinha, Jonathan Katzman, Obum Ekeke, Steven Johnson, Maureen Heymans, and more! Keep an eye on our podcast for the release of these interviews soon. In the meantime, here are some of the top takeaways from our day at Google’s Learning in the AI Era event.
1. NotebookLM: The Start of an AI Operating System
Google’s NotebookLM has gained significant attention in recent weeks, thanks in part to its remarkable “text-to-conversation podcast” feature, known as the “audio overview.” This tool transforms any text into a lifelike, two-person discussion podcast, making it an ideal study companion on the go. However, in a conversation with Steven Johnson, author and editorial director of NotebookLM, it became clear that this is just the beginning.
Three core innovations stand out:
The concept of grounded AI, anchored in trusted sources with line-specific citations, as opposed to the overwhelming noise of the open internet.
A sleek user interface that allows for seamless importing and integration of source material from platforms like Google Drive, YouTube, Google Scholar, Google Classroom, Google Books, and more.
The ability to create new content in structured, multimodal formats such as study guides, chatbots, and audio overviews—and potentially video in the near future.
These features alone position NotebookLM as a potential go-to generative operating system, especially for education, healthcare, research, and other fields that demand rigorous annotation and citation.
2. Google is Serious About AI and Learning
The chance to sit down and talk shop with the Google Leads for Education across the organization was truly a once-in-a-lifetime thrill, and one of the most interesting throughlines of the senior members of Google’s cross-functional LearnX team is how many of them are hardcore Google veterans with over a decade of experience at the company, often from within the Search team and Google Research function (both of which are, of course, at the white-hot core of Google’s business). Education revenue may be a “rounding error” in Google’s balance sheet, but if, as they say in politics, “personnel is policy”, the company is serious about getting education right.
3. Google’s LearnLM Now Available in AI Studio
Google’s AI Studio serves as a sandbox for exploring and working with the Gemini family of models, enabling developers to use Gemini APIs to access Google’s powerful Gemini and Gemma models. At the event, Google announced the preview availability of LearnLM 1.5 Pro Experimental, a model fine-tuned specifically for learning and education, within the AI Studio alongside other “experimental models.” EdTech companies should test prompts with LearnLM to evaluate how its responses compare to their existing LLM stacks and consider its potential value for end users.
4. Collaboration is King
Collaboration and AI emerged as a fascinating theme, especially for a technology often experienced 1:1. Internally, the Google LearnX team exemplifies collaboration, working across functions on its sprawling Mountain View campus. Externally, Google has built an expansive ecosystem of partners—from the hiring networks of Grow with Google to DeepMind’s global relationships with educational systems, YouTube’s educator creator community, and Google Classroom’s vast network of certified educators. Collaboration is deeply embedded in Google’s approach to learning. Just as Google Docs revolutionized collaborative writing and editing, could AI similarly evolve into a social and collaborative experience?
5. If You Give a Teacher a Ferrari
Jennie Magiera, Google’s Head of Education Impact dropped an analogy that really resonated with me, and I imagine may resonate with other educators as well:
“...Educators are a species of MacGyvers. We're so under-resourced that you can give us a light bulb, a piece of duct tape and a toothpick and we'll build a car. AI, all of sudden, is so much more than a toothpick and a roll of duct tape. It's a Ferrari. it's like, instead of saying ‘build a car’, it's like, okay, here's a fully built Lamborghini. Now what are you going to do? And what they're doing is incredible.”
Podcast Episodes Coming Soon!
Stay tuned for in-depth interviews with the Google team on AI, education, and the future of learning—coming soon to the Edtech Insiders Podcast!
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In case you missed it, take some time to wander around the Beta release of our Generative AI Map! Built in partnership withLaurence Holt and Jacob Klein, the updated map has expanded from previous version, now consisting of:
The Market Map: An at-a-glance snapshot of the 6 categories and 50+ use cases for AI in education, alongside leading tools that support each use case (and some emerging or potential use cases with few to no supporting tools yet)
The Generative AI Use Case Database: A repository and deep dive into the 50+ use cases for AI in education, including examples, details and supporting tools
The AI Tool Company Directory: A repository and deep dive into over 300 AI companies and tools in education, including each Gen AI company’s website, Linkedin page, company founders, target audience, sector (K12, HE, etc.), platform (web, app) and traction (web traffic and app downloads).
In this Beta phase, we are actively looking for feedback from our community. Take a look, and submit your suggestions through the feedback forms on the site!
To get started, you can read more about how we built and designed the map here, or jump right in to the micro-site here!
1. Why Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol Is A Big Step In The Evolution Of AI Agents
Anthropic's innovative Model Context Protocol is reshaping the way AI agents interact, introducing dynamic adaptability to diverse scenarios. This breakthrough simplifies complex workflows, allowing AI systems to function seamlessly in multi-agent environments. As businesses and developers embrace these advancements, the protocol sets a new standard for collaborative and intelligent AI solutions, which will certainly be relevant in education contexts.
2. Emerge raises £56m to invest in AI-heavy education and future of work startups
London-based venture capital firm Emerge has successfully closed a £56 million second fund to invest in 25 to 27 startups focused on education and the future of work. This fund will provide pre-seed and seed investments ranging from £500,000 to £2 million, targeting areas such as talent assessment, language learning, and AI-driven educational tools. Emerge's extensive network of over 100 venture partners, including founders and executives from companies like Udemy and Coursera, will support these startups in scaling their innovations across Europe and globally.
3. Growing Up: Navigating Generative AI’s Early Years – AI Adoption Report
The "Growing Up: Navigating Generative AI’s Early Years" report, a collaboration between AI at Wharton and GBK Collective, offers a comprehensive analysis of Generative AI (Gen AI) adoption, its business applications, and future prospects. The report highlights a significant shift from initial excitement to deeper experimentation and efforts to demonstrate return on investment (ROI) in Gen AI initiatives. Key findings include that 37% of respondents reported using Gen AI at least once a week, with anticipated spending increases of 25%, and a strong optimism for Gen AI adoption across business functions, particularly in data analysis, content creation, and research.
4. Pennsylvania awards $120 million in school-based mental health and safety grants
Pennsylvania has allocated $120 million in grants to 367 schools to enhance mental health services and building safety. This initiative, part of the 2024-2025 state budget approved by the General Assembly and Governor Josh Shapiro, aims to bolster student well-being and security across the state.
The Oppenheimer EdTech Market Update (December 2024) provides an in-depth analysis of Q3 2024 trends in EdTech investment, mergers and acquisitions, and public markets. Key highlights include a modest uptick in global venture capital investment, a steady flow of smaller funding rounds, and increased optimism for M&A activity in 2025. For EdTech stakeholders, the report outlines valuable insights into regional funding trends and public market performance, offering strategic guidance for navigating the evolving landscape.
6. OpenAI’s 12 days of ‘shipmas’ include Sora and new reasoning model
OpenAI has initiated its "12 days of 'ship-mas'" event, unveiling new features and products daily starting December 5th. The inaugural announcements include the full release of the o1 reasoning model and the introduction of ChatGPT Pro, a $200 monthly subscription offering unlimited access to advanced AI capabilities. Additionally, OpenAI plans to launch Sora, a text-to-video AI generator, as part of this series of updates.
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Interview: Matt Given, Seesaw Learning
We have had some amazing guests on The Edtech Insiders Podcast in the last few weeks. One of our stand-out interviews from this past week is Matt Given, an experienced education technology leader and the CEO of Seesaw
Here’s a deep dive on our interview with Matt, and we encourage you to give the full episode a listen for more!
Seesaw's Mission: Supporting Teachers Through Streamlined Workflows
Matt highlights how Seesaw places teachers at the center of its mission, continually refining tools that reduce their workload and streamline classroom tasks. The platform’s design reflects constant feedback from educators, ensuring it addresses their real-world needs effectively. By integrating teacher-friendly features like assessment tools and communication systems, Seesaw has gained strong loyalty among educators.
“We see overwhelming support for the application within the teacher core… because we are constantly focused on making their lives easier.”
Matt Given
Building Inclusivity Through Universal Design Principles
For Matt, inclusivity is not just an aspiration—it’s a design imperative. Seesaw’s tools are tailored to support learners of all abilities and developmental stages, from pre-readers to special education students. The platform’s multimodal approach, allowing learners to showcase their understanding via drawing, video, or audio, ensures equitable participation for every student. This focus on universal design extends beyond young learners to multilingual and underserved populations, helping Seesaw fulfill its mission of accessibility for all.
“Seesaw is very adept at making sure that all learners can access their ability to show what they know… through audio, video, drawing, and more.”
Matt Given
Evolving Seesaw: From Communication Tool to Learning Experience Platform
Matt explains Seesaw’s transformation from a simple parent-teacher communication tool into a comprehensive learning experience platform (LXP). This evolution aligns with the changing educational landscape, especially post-COVID, where remote and hybrid learning amplified the need for connected, versatile tools. By combining communication, assessment, and curriculum delivery, Seesaw fosters deeper engagement among students, parents, and teachers while retaining its core mission of enhancing early learning experiences.
“We call this connection between the parent, the student, the administrator, and the teacher the learning loop… Everybody understands what’s happening in real-time.”
Matt Given
Thoughtful and Responsible Use of AI in Education
Matt approaches AI with cautious optimism, focusing on how it can enhance, rather than replace, human-driven education. Seesaw uses AI to simplify teacher tasks, such as reading fluency assessments, but ensures these features are gated by human oversight to maintain a personal connection in learning. Additionally, Matt emphasizes Seesaw’s commitment to data privacy and ethical AI use, ensuring that student data is never mined for development. This philosophy aligns with Seesaw’s focus on facilitating meaningful teacher-student interactions rather than replacing them with automation.
“We use AI to support teachers, but it’s always gated by a human… ensuring the teacher and student interaction remains at the core.”
Matt Given
The Future of EdTech: Consolidation and Impactful Solutions
Looking ahead, Matt envisions a future where schools prioritize fewer but more impactful edtech tools, breaking away from the current trend of overwhelming portfolios. He believes that ESSER funding’s expiration could catalyze this shift, forcing districts to focus on what truly enhances teaching and learning. For Matt, the goal is to center technology around human connections and authentic learning, steering away from over-reliance on devices or purely algorithm-driven solutions. He views this trend as an opportunity for Seesaw to stand out by addressing real educational needs with a holistic, user-focused approach.
“Hopefully the next trend is shortening the list to things that actually work for teachers, students, and parents… more human-centered technologies that foster authentic education connections.”
Matt Given
Curious to Learn More?
You can listen to our full interview with Matt, as well as interviews with many other edtech founders, investors, and thought leaders at The Edtech Insiders Podcast! Check it out, and as always, we’d love to hear what you think!
Cooley LLP is the go-to law firm for edtech innovators, from early childhood through workforce. Informed by decades of experience in the education vertical, Cooley created the first edtech practice to provide industry-informed, business-minded counsel to companies and organizations at all stages of the corporate lifecycle. Cooley provides a multidisciplinary approach to client needs, offering seamless collaboration across offices and practices.
To learn more about what Cooley can do for you, reach out to Naomi May.
Great summary. What stood out to me most was the emphasis on adapting learning rather than simply adopting new tools. It connects well with some research-based articles I've read on CognitiAIX.
Great summary. What stood out to me most was the emphasis on adapting learning rather than simply adopting new tools. It connects well with some research-based articles I've read on CognitiAIX.