Top ten EdTech stories of the month: AI policy, research debates, and platform shifts across education
Funding rounds, policy decisions, research findings, and institutional strategy moves shaped the biggest EdTech developments across schools, higher education, and workforce training this month.
February saw artificial intelligence move further into the core of education and skills systems. Governments expanded national AI training programs, universities embedded generative AI into teaching and research environments, and technology companies launched large-scale educator and workforce training initiatives. New research also raised questions about how AI tools influence skill development, while layoffs, funding rounds, and academic collaborations reshaped parts of the EdTech landscape.
10. MegaMinds secures funding to expand AI simulations in K–12 classrooms
In at number ten, MegaMinds confirmed an investment round led by New York Angels to expand its AI-powered simulation platform across public schools, career and technical education programs, and special education settings. The company develops interactive 3D learning environments supported by AI tutors, designed to run on standard classroom devices and integrate with systems such as Google Classroom. The funding will support wider deployment of simulation-based learning tools as districts test new approaches to skills development and career readiness.
9. UK government expands free AI training to 10 million workers by 2030
Taking the ninth spot, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology expanded the national AI Skills Boost programme with a target of providing free AI training to 10 million workers by 2030. The initiative, delivered with Skills England and industry partners, makes short AI courses available to all UK adults through an AI Skills Hub. Government figures show more than one million courses have already been completed since the program launched in 2025.
8. Golden Gate University integrates generative AI into DBA immersion in Singapore
Landing at number eight, Golden Gate University delivered a five-day Doctor of Business Administration immersion in Singapore that placed generative AI inside doctoral research design and business strategy work. Participants used AI tools to structure research proposals, business plans, and dissertation frameworks during the program. Sessions also covered business strategy, storytelling with data, and change management as part of the immersion.
7. ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 judges spotlight on Neil Almond
Entering the list at number seven, ETIH confirmed that Neil Almond has joined the judging panel for the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026. Almond works across curriculum design, teacher development, and evidence-informed professional learning through the STEP Ahead Teaching School Hub. The announcement forms part of ETIH’s ongoing series introducing judges who will review entries across the awards categories ahead of the March submission deadline.
6. Skillsoft cuts Codecademy curriculum team
Taking the sixth position, Skillsoft laid off the entire curriculum team at its coding platform Codecademy, according to a public LinkedIn post by Senior Curriculum Director Zoe Bachman. The move removes the group responsible for developing learning content, career pathways, and programming courses across the platform. Codecademy was acquired by Skillsoft in 2022 as part of its technology skills strategy, and the restructuring raises questions about how curriculum development will be handled going forward.
5. ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 judges spotlight on Catherine Buckler
Entering the top five, ETIH confirmed that Catherine Buckler has joined the judging panel for the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026. Buckler works across digital strategy, AI implementation, and curriculum leadership at Sydenham High School and is currently completing a Doctorate in Education at the University of Bath. Her research examines how large technology companies frame the adoption of artificial intelligence in education and how those narratives influence school decision-making.
4. Google and ISTE+ASCD launch free Gemini AI training for six million US educators
Taking the fourth spot, Google partnered with ISTE+ASCD to provide free Gemini AI training to all six million K–12 teachers and higher education faculty in the United States. The program includes structured modules and access to tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM, alongside micro-credentials for educators who complete the training. The rollout places educator capability at the center of AI adoption across schools and universities.
3. Anthropic research raises questions about AI and skill development
Breaking into the top three, new research from Anthropic examined how AI assistance affects learning outcomes when developers work with unfamiliar tools. The study found participants using AI scored an average of 17 percent lower on tests measuring conceptual understanding, debugging, and code reading compared with those completing the same tasks without AI support. Researchers also reported no statistically significant improvement in completion time for the AI-assisted group.
2. Arizona State University students design AI tools to improve campus life
Taking the runner-up position, Arizona State University launched an AI Acceleration Student Innovation Challenge that invites undergraduates to design AI tools addressing academic support, mental health services, entrepreneurship, and campus engagement. Sixteen students are working through a three-week program that moves from ideation to prototype before presenting projects to the university’s AI leadership team. One proposal is expected to inform future development work within the AI Acceleration initiative.
1. ETH Zurich, EPFL, and Stanford HAI form transatlantic AI research partnership
Claiming the top spot, ETH Zurich, EPFL, and Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence formalized a collaboration focused on human-centered artificial intelligence research and open foundation models. The agreement was signed through the Swiss National AI Institute and includes joint research projects, researcher exchanges, and new evaluation benchmarks for AI systems. The partnership brings together European and US research ecosystems around long-term AI governance, infrastructure, and academic leadership.
