Week in EdTech 02/04/26: Brisk’s AI Curriculum Launch, Kira 2.0 LMS Expansion, Texas ESA Surge, UK $23M AI Pilot for SEND, Microsoft’s Teacher AI Push, Data Battles in Schools, and More! Feat. Karl Rectanus of Really Great Reading & Dan Meyer of Amplify
Episode Description
Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they unpack a fast-moving week in education. From AI-native curriculum battles and literacy leadership shifts to voucher surges and national AI pilots reshaping special education.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:01:48] ASU+GSV preview and the expanding global EdTech ecosystem
[00:06:25] The 2026 EdTech AI Map launches with 240+ companies
[00:07:14] Brisk introduces AI-powered curriculum integration
[00:09:04] The race to own the AI layer in schools
[00:13:10] Data ownership becomes the key AI battleground
[00:16:59] Kira 2.0 expands into a full AI-native LMS
[00:21:16] Texas ESA applications surge past 61,000
[00:30:20] UK launches $23M AI pilot for special needs
[00:33:40] Microsoft invests in AI teacher training
[00:34:59] Google expands Gemini in education
[00:35:57] UX emerges as EdTech’s new advantage
[00:36:43] The AI grad profile prioritizes human skills
Plus, special guests:
[00:38:33] Karl Rectanus, CEO of Really Great Reading, on literacy outcomes, science of reading implementation, and scaling impact
[01:02:22] Dan Meyer, VP of User Growth of Amplify on AI skepticism, social AI in math classrooms, and keeping learning human-centered
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