Week in EdTech 10/29/25: Alpha School's Backlash, Chegg Layoffs, Kaplan’s AI Pivot, Mem0’s “Memory Layer,” Big Tech vs. Higher Ed, and More! Feat. Rebecca Winthrop & Jenny Anderson, Authors of The Disengaged Teen and Justin Reich of MIT Teaching Systems L
Description
Join hosts Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell as they recap a post–New York EdTech Week full of highs and hard truths.
✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00 ] Alpha School's backlash and what it reveals about AI-based education.
[00:06:58 ] EdTech’s new K–20 alliance with Microsoft and Google for responsible AI.
[00:10:09 ] The risks and lessons from Alpha School's rapid rise and fall.
[00:21:53 ] Chegg cuts 45% of staff amid AI disruption and market pressure.
[00:26:01 ] Kaplan launches AI tools built on 85 years of learner data.
[00:31:02 ] Mem0 raises $23M to build a universal AI memory layer.
[00:38:10 ] Cal State’s OpenAI deal sparks debate on Big Tech in higher ed.
[00:44:18 ] The media’s anti-AI narrative and its impact on innovation.
Plus, special guests:
[00:50:24 ] Rebecca Winthrop, Director of the Center for Universal Education at Brookings, and Jenny Anderson, award-winning journalist and co-author of The Disengaged Teen, on student agency, engagement, and the four learner modes.
[01:11:14 ] Justin Reich, Director of the MIT Teaching Systems Lab, on AI in Schools: Perspectives for the Perplexed and how educators can experiment safely with emerging AI tools.
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