What will 2025 bring to the EdTech sector? Special predictions from EdTech Hub experts
We’re officially into the new year — and if this month is any indication, the year ahead will be moving at full speed. Here at EdTech Hub, we’ve reflected on last year’s successes, challenges, accomplishments, and learnings, and we’re ready to build on that momentum. We’ve also spent a lot of time thinking about the future of education technology and how learner needs are evolving.
Inspired by Nieman Lab’s Predictions for Journalism 2025, we thought we’d have a bit of fun and ask our network of experts what they think will shape EdTech in the year ahead. We’ll be adding more predictions as they come in, so keep an eye out for updates!
Read below for some of our predictions. In twelve months, we’ll revisit these predictions to see who had a crystal ball and who was way off the mark.
The predictions
VERNA LALBEHARIE
Executive Director at EdTech Hub
“In 2025, we will see further spotlight on the critical role our classroom teachers play in using digital tools and resources to aid and enhance student learning in the age of AI. Coming together as a global community to support the education workforce is a priority!.“
HANNAH SIMMONS
Tanzania Co-Lead at EdTech Hub
“2025 will celebrate the low-spec smartphone as the teacher’s tech of choice! These devices will enable access to relevant forums and group chats, professional development opportunities, as well as curated, curriculum-aligned audio-video content. There will be a shift away from equipping teachers with laptops, tablets and bulky projectors, and instead a focus on creating the kind of tech needed to help teachers to use the devices they know best as effective teaching and learning aids.“
LEA SIMPSON
Director of innovation at EdTech Hub
“Partnership is the new leadership! More alliances and people coming together to work on issues and secure opportunities together.“
ALICE CARTER
Innovation Lead at EdTech Hub
“2025 will be the year of “low-tech AI unicorns” in Africa, as innovators develop AI solutions that work seamlessly in low-income, low-connectivity areas. These tools will operate offline or with minimal data requirements. This approach will allow even the most underserved schools to harness the power of AI without needing costly infrastructure.“
SOPHIE LONGLEY
Project Manager and Web Product Owner at EdTech Hub
“Despite AI dominating the headlines and driving tech trends in 2024, I believe 2025 will mark a shift toward “tech decluttering.” Many of us may re-evaluate our digital habits, opting to spend less time online and returning to simpler tech solutions, like choosing radios over streaming apps. For EdTech, this presents an opportunity to recognise that impact, scale, and reach don’t always depend on high-tech tools. Sometimes, the most effective solutions are the simplest ones.“
NAWAZ ASLAM
Pakistan Co-Lead at EdTech Hub
“Technology will appear as a subject as early as primary schools.“
MOLLY JAMIESON EBERHARDT
Director of Engagement at EdTech Hub
“I bet that there will be some sort of counter-movement to support NON-AI areas of education and EdTech — addressing the worry that all the hype about AI will take much needed focus away from things we already know work to improve learning.“
JOEL MITCHELL*
Research Portfolio Manager at EdTech Hub
“2025 will be a year of increased attention on education in conflict-affected areas, with the role of EdTech being critical for continuity in education.“
JILLIAN MAKUNGU
Communications Officer at EdTech Hub
“Governments will prioritise evidence-based EdTech policies, driving greater investments and partnerships. The focus will shift toward sustainable models that balance innovation and impact. EdTech will close the foundational learning gap, where scalable digital solutions address global literacy and numeracy challenges. Adaptive tools, informed by localised content, will drive measurable improvements, especially in underserved regions.“
JAN SEQUEIRA*
Research Portfolio Manager at EdTech Hub
“A further shift toward personalised, engaging, and accessible EdTech education — promoting social and collaborative learning platforms and gamification.“
GITA LUZ
Futures Lead on the AI Observatory at EdTech Hub
“Transactionalism is the new tribalism — it’s all about the give/get, and less about the common values. How can we build common objectives and wins, to bring unlikely alliances together?.“
JOHNPAUL BARRETTO
Tanzania Co-Lead at EdTech Hub
“Decision makers will increase demand to understand the impacts of climate change on education.“
JENNIFER OTIENO
Kenya Co-Lead at EdTech Hub
“African youth will have a greater say in the future of AI for not just the Continent but for the world.“
ANNETTE ZHAO
Researcher at EdTech Hub
“Lots of research and evidence into AI popping up! (or is it wishful thinking)?.“
TASKEEN ADAM
Senior Research Lead at EdTech Hub
“Competition between US and China (e.g. DeepSeek) regarding GenAI is going to push more openness and cost reduction in AI.“
AFSANA SADIQ ATULY
Bangladesh Co-Lead at EdTech Hub
“The education sector will try to incorporate more AI, and (hopefully) learn from their mistakes.“
FLIC BURGESS
Innovation Manager at EdTech Hub
“AI is going to transform lesson planning for teachers. It will raise the consistency and quality of lessons and help to reduce teachers workload and improve retention. AI will supercharge evidence-informed practice like teacher explanations, vocab acquisition, student friendly definitions, model answers, multiple choice quizzes and so much more.“
*Please note, where original photography wasn’t available, we have used stock imagery to illustrate the prediction.
