EdTech stories of the week: AI pilots, major partnerships, and new research signals across global education
From Anthropic’s hackathon breakthroughs to Dartmouth’s campus-wide AI access and new industry collaborations in VR, higher education, and business innovation, this week’s top stories show how fast AI and digital learning continue to evolve.
This week’s line-up moves between hands-on experimentation, new academic structures, institutional AI rollouts, and corporate acquisitions shaping data and workforce tools. Anthropic kicks things off with hackathon prototypes focused on behavioral support, while astronomy students at UT Austin and UTSA help identify an unexpected black hole.
Tyler Technologies expands its data-driven capabilities with a new acquisition, Microsoft marks four decades in Ireland with fresh AI-skills investment, and Ellucian launches a higher-ed engagement program. Further ahead, GPT-Lab highlights applied AI for business in Finland, Avantis Education introduces a VR classroom pilot in the Caribbean, Imperial College London launches a Frontier AI Lab with Thomson Reuters, and Dartmouth becomes the first Ivy League institution to provide campus-wide access to Claude. Let’s move into the countdown.
10. Anthropic AI Hackathon sparks prototypes for behavioural support and solo-built AI systems
In at number ten, Anthropic’s University of Toronto hackathon produced projects ranging from behavioural-risk prediction tools for autism support to end-to-end solo-engineered AI builds. Entrants used Claude and machine-learning workflows to test early-stage prototypes, with teams exploring how contextual data could inform strategy suggestions in ABA settings. It was a weekend showing both collaborative and individual momentum in practical AI experimentation.
9. University of Texas students help uncover black hole in nearby galaxy
Taking the ninth spot, a joint course between UT Austin and UTSA has led students to identify a black hole at the centre of Segue 1 — overturning earlier assumptions that dark matter held the small galaxy together. Using advanced modelling and UT Austin supercomputers, students mapped star movements and found evidence pointing to a massive black hole 450,000 times the size of the Sun. It’s a standout example of research-led teaching producing real scientific insight.
8. Tyler Technologies acquires Edulink to strengthen evaluation and compliance tools
At number eight, Tyler Technologies continues its expansion into education workflows with the acquisition of Edulink. The deal brings evaluation, compliance tracking, and professional-development management tools into Tyler’s suite, adding capabilities like PAETEP and Comply to its Schools Division. Leadership says the acquisition will support more streamlined processes for K–12 administrators nationwide.
7. Microsoft marks 40 years in Ireland with new AI investment commitments
AI is back again at number seven, as Microsoft reflects on four decades in Ireland and sets out fresh investment in AI skills through programs like Dream Space. Leaders highlighted €4 million in additional funding for skilling initiatives and emphasised the country’s position in global AI adoption. With government partners involved in the anniversary event, Microsoft framed AI capability as a national economic priority for the next decade.
6. Ellucian launches new engagement platform to connect higher-ed influencers
Rounding out this half of the list, Ellucian has introduced Ellucian Connect, a programme designed to deepen collaboration with sector experts, policymakers, and affiliate groups. The initiative aims to strengthen advocacy, align sector priorities, and support institutions responding to rapid changes in higher education. It follows Ellucian’s recent appointment of Daniel Greenstein as Chief of Industry Transformation.
5. GPT-Lab event spotlights real-world generative AI adoption in Finnish businesses
Kicking off the top five, Finland’s GPT-Lab shared updates from its Business Crystal Ball event, where speakers walked companies through practical, regulation-ready uses of generative AI. Case studies covered applied tools for SMEs, early preparation for the EU AI Act, and the shift from personal AI experimentation to fully integrated organisational systems. The GENT project continues to anchor this work, helping regional companies test AI directly in their own workflows.
4. Avantis launches Caribbean VR pilot as immersive learning accelerates
In at number four, Avantis Education has rolled out a 12-week ClassVR pilot across the British Virgin Islands, working with Unite BV and local ministries. Teachers completed onboarding sessions, while students received headsets preloaded with immersive curriculum content. Avantis says the pilot aims to broaden access to interactive, curiosity-driven learning and strengthen long-term support for schools exploring VR in day-to-day teaching.
3. Imperial College London partners with Thomson Reuters to launch Frontier AI Lab
Taking the third spot, Imperial and Thomson Reuters have created a new Frontier AI Research Lab focused on foundational safety and reliability challenges. The partnership includes training large-scale foundation models and supporting a cohort of more than a dozen PhD students. Imperial leaders say the collaboration gives researchers the space to push boundaries in explainability and trustworthiness while anchoring breakthroughs in real-world use cases.
2. Dartmouth becomes first Ivy League university to roll out campus-wide Claude access
AI is back again at number two, as Dartmouth partners with Anthropic and AWS to offer institutional access to Claude for Education and Amazon Bedrock. Leaders describe the rollout as the “next chapter” in Dartmouth’s long AI history, with applications spanning career coaching, applied learning, ethics-focused student programmes, and new research across health, behavioural science, and diagnostics.
1. NYU confirms new Courant Institute School unifying maths, computing, and data science
And taking this week’s top spot, NYU has announced a major academic restructure that merges mathematics, computer science, and data science into a new Courant Institute School. The Center for Data Science becomes an independent department within the school, while joint CS appointments link Courant and Tandon. Leaders say the move strengthens cross-disciplinary research and prepares students for future roles across technology, academia, and industry.
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
