EdTech Week Digest 2024-07-21

Embrace the digital renaissance in education 🌟—where innovation meets opportunity, and every challenge seeds new growth.

This week’s digest features 28 articles, with the standout news being the discontinuation of an AI chatbot assistant in the LA school district due to data privacy concerns. This incident underscores the critical importance of robust data security measures as AI continues to permeate the education sector.

The education sector is undergoing transformative shifts due to the increasing integration of AI, notable venture capital inflow, and an emphasis on digital accessibility. The collapse of an AI chatbot company raises critical questions about data privacy, highlighting the need for robust data protection protocols, which can lead to stricter regulations and the development of more secure AI applications in education. For students and teachers, this means a move towards safeguarding sensitive information, likely driving the adoption of privacy-focused solutions.

The surge in venture capital into EdTech underlines the accelerating pace of innovation. With substantial funds being injected into AI development and upskilling platforms, we’re likely to see a rapid evolution in how educational content is delivered and consumed. For entrepreneurs in the EdTech space, this opens up numerous opportunities to create advanced, AI-driven solutions that cater to personalized learning experiences, ultimately supporting students in acquiring skills that are increasingly in demand in the digital age. Schools and educators must adapt to these changes by integrating these technologies into curriculums and professional development programs, ensuring that both students and teachers are equipped with the necessary digital tools and competencies for the future.

Education Technology and AI

1. An Education Chatbot Company Collapsed. Where Did the Student Data Go?
   The LA school district launched an AI chatbot assistant in March, but it was recently discontinued amid concerns about the handling of student data.
2. Should I Exercise My Edtech Stock Options?
   The article discusses the decision to exercise edtech stock options and includes information about an upcoming webinar on edtech UX, an interview with Ethan and Lilach Mollick, and highlights from the latest edtech news.
3. Ukraine’s Excellent AI Guidance Available Globally for Schools to Model
   Ukraine has developed a valuable AI guidance document that U.S. states without their own can model after, offering innovative ideas for all schools and districts, regardless of whether they have existing guidelines.
4. District Criteria for Evaluating AI Tools: A Brisk Model Review
   The article discusses the necessity for school districts to have criteria for evaluating AI tools, referencing a report from the US Department of Education.
5. Interactive GenAI is Enhancing Teaching & Learning
   Morehouse College will launch the world’s first fully spatial AI Teaching Assistants in fall 2024, developed by Victory XR and led by Dr. Muhsinah Morris.

Venture Capital and Industry Mergers

1. 💊 $1.3B Oedema Therapy Provider Acquisition. $415M VC Funding.
   The article discusses a $1.3 billion acquisition of an oedema therapy provider and highlights $415 million in venture capital funding.
2. ⚙️ Stelco Holdings Acquired For $2.5B. $450M+ VC Funding.
   Stelco Holdings has been acquired for $2.5 billion, alongside over $450 million in venture capital funding, as discussed in Impact Capital Markets #137.
3. 🚚 WTG Midstream Acquired for $3.25B. 1.10B+ VC Funding.
   The article discusses the acquisition of WTG Midstream for $3.25 billion and highlights over $1.10 billion in venture capital funding.
4. 📱 Samsung Acquires Oxford Semantic Technologies. 530M+ in VC Funding.
   Samsung has acquired Oxford Semantic Technologies in a significant deal, with over $530 million raised in venture capital funding.
5. 🍬 CP Kelco Acquired For 1.8B. 310M+ VC Funding.
   CP Kelco was acquired for $1.8 billion, supported by over $310 million in venture capital funding.

Educational Practices and Trends

1. Orientation Is the First Step to Finding Belonging in College. It Is Changing Post-Pandemic.
   Colleges are revamping freshman orientation programs post-pandemic to include more options and enhance opportunities for students to build relationships.
2. Principals Aren’t Encouraged to Be Vulnerable. That Needs to Change.
   The article discusses the importance of principals being encouraged to show vulnerability and engage in open conversations about identity.
3. Are Schools and Edtech Companies Ready for the Digital Accessibility Deadline?
   The article discusses a new federal rule aimed at improving digital accessibility for disabled students in schools and colleges.
4. Are We There Yet? Skills-Based Technologies, Hiring and Advancement
   The article discusses SkillRise’s exploration of job seekers’ views on digital skills and skills-based technologies, highlighting their importance for career advancement.
5. David Borish is Right: Education in 2026, 2029, 2034
   David Borish forecasts future trends in education for 2026, 2029, and 2034, which the author suggests may occur even sooner—by 2025, 2027, or 2030.