BETT 2026: Google deepens higher education AI push with University of Oxford partnership
Google has confirmed a collaboration with the University of Oxford to expand access to Gemini for Education and NotebookLM, marking another education-focused announcement at Bett 2026 as the company rolls out a broader push around institutionally managed AI.
Google confirmed a collaboration with the University of Oxford to roll out Gemini for Education and NotebookLM to students and faculty, as part of an ongoing stream of education-focused announcements made at Bett 2026.
The update was shared via LinkedIn by Djenna Rowling, Sales and GTM Strategy at Google, alongside further details published by the company during the opening days of the London event. “The news is out: Google is collaborating with the University of Oxford.” Rowling wrote.
Pilot results informed wider rollout
Google said the Oxford deployment followed a pilot programme involving Gemini tools within the university. Rowling noted that feedback from that trial played a central role in the decision to expand access.
“I’ve shared updates on our Gemini pilot programme recently, and the results spoke for themselves: 85% of participants reported increased productivity and nearly 75% said Google’s AI tools helped them work more effectively,” she wrote.
Under the agreement, Oxford students, faculty members, and administrators will be able to access Gemini for Education and NotebookLM through the university’s secure Google for Education workspace. Pro licenses will be distributed via colleges and departments.
Google explained that Gemini for Education includes Guided Learning, a feature positioned as a structured learning companion designed to support deeper understanding through probing questions and step-by-step guidance, rather than producing answers outright.
Oxford users will also receive access to Gemini 3, Google’s latest model, as well as Deep Research, which Google described as an AI-powered academic assistant capable of developing multi-step research plans, reviewing large volumes of web sources, and synthesizing findings into cited reports.
Rowling added that Oxford was providing students and staff with “Google’s most advanced AI tools – including Gemini for Education and NotebookLM – helping them to learn, create, teach, and collaborate in more powerful and effective ways.”
Security and institutional control emphasized
As with other Google announcements at Bett 2026, the Oxford collaboration placed a strong emphasis on secure deployment and governance.
Alwyn Collinson, Head of the AI Competency Centre at the University of Oxford, said: “Many of our staff and students are already experimenting with AI. The Gemini for Education and NotebookLM tools we’re making available through our partnership with Google will provide secure access to leading AI models, supported by training and guidance to ensure they are used safely and responsibly for work and study.”
He explained that the tools are expected to support research workflows, accelerate grant development, and improve productivity across academic and administrative teams.
The Oxford announcement formed part of a broader sequence of education updates unveiled by Google at BETT 2026, spanning schools, assessment, classroom workflows, and writing support developed with Khan Academy.
Rather than positioning the Oxford collaboration as a standalone initiative, Rowling framed it as part of a wider effort to expand secure AI access across education, writing that Google and Oxford were working to provide “equitable access and best-in-class AI solutions” for the university community.
ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 are now open and recognize education technology organizations delivering measurable impact across K–12, higher education, and lifelong learning. The awards are open to entries from the UK, the Americas, and internationally, with submissions assessed on evidence of outcomes and real-world application.
