EdTech stories of the week: Google’s research leap, OpenAI’s teacher tools, and Anthropic’s expansion
AI research upgrades, educator tools, and major international partnerships drive this week’s top EdTech stories.
AI-powered education continues to accelerate, with this week’s biggest developments spanning research, teacher training, global deployments, and system-level reform. Google leads with a new Scholar Labs experiment built to simplify complex academic discovery, while OpenAI’s free K–12 workspace signals a major shift in how U.S. teachers access classroom AI tools.
Anthropic expands its footprint through teacher training and continental rollouts, and new commitments from Google, Coursera, and federal partners show how industry and government are pushing AI deeper into learning, workforce development, and long-term planning. Meanwhile, acquisitions, funding pledges, and legal education partnerships highlight how education and enterprise are increasingly moving in step.
10. Google introduces Scholar Labs to enhance AI-driven academic search and research discovery
In at number ten, Google deepens its push into academic research with Scholar Labs, an experimental AI tool designed to interpret complex research questions and surface relevant papers from Google Scholar. The system highlights how AI is beginning to support multi-step reasoning in academic discovery, offering structured explanations and early demos for researchers testing the feature.
9. Microsoft Ireland adds new Dream Space Teacher Academy pathways for AI and digital skills
Taking the ninth spot, Microsoft Ireland expands its Dream Space Teacher Academy with new multi-week pathways focused on AI literacy, digital fundamentals, and cybersecurity. With research showing most Irish teachers use digital tools but lack formal AI training, the updated programs reflect rising demand for structured, classroom-ready professional development.
8. OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teachers as free K–12 workspace across the United States
At number eight, OpenAI rolls out ChatGPT for Teachers — a secure, long-term free workspace for U.S. K–12 educators. Backed by district partnerships and state-level pilots, the release gives teachers private collaboration tools, curriculum-aligned features, and GPT-5.1 Auto access, signaling a major shift in how AI support is delivered at school system scale.
7. Google sets out new AI for Learning commitments with $30 million funding pledge
AI is back again at number seven, as Google outlines new trials, global partnerships, and research initiatives at its AI for Learning Forum in London. The company pairs national collaborations with Estonia and U.S. school systems with LearnLM research findings and a $30 million nonprofit funding package aimed at expanding AI literacy and evidence-based evaluation.
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6. First Lady Melania Trump outlines federal plan to widen pathways for foster youth
At number six, the White House sets out a new federal strategy to expand education, employment, and financial pathways for young people leaving foster care. The initiative brings together multiple agencies, scholarship partners, and employers, with plans for credential-based programs, federal internships, and improved access to technology to support long-term independence.
5. Coursera unveils new AI tools designed to boost workforce and campus learning
Kicking off the top five, Coursera rolls out new AI capabilities designed to strengthen skills-first learning across campuses, workplaces and government programs. Updates include Role Play for workplace simulations and Program Builder for generating job-aligned learning pathways, reinforcing Coursera’s shift toward immersive, data-driven skill development at scale.
4. Anthropic uncovers first large-scale AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign using Claude Code
In at number four, Anthropic reveals the first confirmed case of a cyber espionage campaign conducted primarily by an AI system. The investigation identifies a Chinese state-sponsored group using Claude Code to automate up to 90 percent of a multi-target intrusion sequence — marking a major escalation in how agentic AI can be deployed for offensive cyber operations.
3. Ellucian acquires Anthology’s SIS and ERP business
Taking the third spot, Ellucian acquires Anthology’s Student Information Services and ERP units following Anthology’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The deal consolidates two major higher-ed technology portfolios, positioning Ellucian to serve a larger network of institutions as both companies navigate shifting demand, modernization needs and digital transformation pressures.
2. Anthropic, Rwanda and ALX roll out Chidi AI learning companion across Africa
At number two, Anthropic partners with Rwanda and ALX to deploy Chidi, its Claude-powered learning companion, to hundreds of thousands of teachers, students and young professionals. The initiative blends teacher training, civil-service upskilling and ALX’s technology programs, forming part of Rwanda’s Vision 2050 strategy to build an AI-ready workforce at national scale.
1. Harvey partners with four UK law schools to bring AI into legal education and professional training
And taking this week’s top spot, Harvey forms its first UK education partnerships with Oxford, King’s College London, BPP University and The University of Law. Each institution will integrate Harvey’s AI platform into teaching, research and ethics training, marking a pivotal moment for generative AI adoption across legal academia and future professional practice.
