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By Mick Hewitt, Co-Founder & CEO, Ednition
Coming back from ISTE always brings a mix of inspiration, reflection, and the reminder that we’re all navigating a space that moves fast, and sometimes faster than we’d like. This year in San Antonio was no exception.
While every ISTE has its own vibe, 2025 made one thing crystal clear: We’re in the AI era of EdTech.
Everywhere you turned, whether at a booth, panel, or hallway chat, AI was front and center. One vendor even handed out clickers for attendees to press every time “AI” was mentioned during sessions. It almost felt like a gamified drinking game for the EdTech world. And let’s just say…there was a lot of clicking.
While this energy around AI was evident, I also picked up on something else, especially in my conversations with educators: a feeling of being overwhelmed. There’s a strange mix of FOMO (fear of missing out) and fatigue. Teachers are being asked to adopt new tools, stay ahead of the curve, and somehow still manage day-to-day realities in the classroom.
But amidst the chatter, there was also an important key takeaway, and those were sessions that focused on clear, practical use cases that brought a sense of calm and clarity. Real impact, not hype, is what educators are craving right now.
As a longtime veteran of EdTech, I’ve watched the tides of funding, “No Child Left Behind”, “Race to the Top”, and most recently the flood of ESSER funds during the pandemic.
Now that ESSER has ended, the market is feeling the shift. Districts are moving more cautiously. I saw more hesitance around non-core purchases and a renewed focus on essentials like core curriculum and infrastructure.
And when it comes to AI, many districts are still evaluating how and where it fits in. The tools are here. The dollars? A little more uncertain.
As powerful as AI can be, it’s only as good as the data behind it. And right now, we still have a ways to go.
EdTech is still battling data silos, fragmented across LMSs (Learning Management Systems), SISs (Student Information Systems), and other tools. Many of the big players (especially those recently acquired by private equity firms) are working hard to consolidate their systems. There were some impressive demos that show promise for the future, but a lot of it feels more aspirational than operational.
For most vendors I spoke with, access to clean, connected, real-time data remains the biggest barrier to delivering on the AI promise.
Among the many conversations, some innovative and exciting moments really stood out:
One moment that really stuck with me was Richard’s reference to Amara’s Law, the idea that we tend to overestimate the short-term impact of new technologies and underestimate their long-term effects. It immediately took me back to the early Internet days, when we thought the web was just going to replace magazines and newspapers. Now even my washer and dryer are online!
We’re in that same place with AI. The truth is, we’re only scratching the surface of what this next era, Agentic AI, might unlock.
If this year’s ISTE taught me anything, it’s this:
At Ednition, we’re committed to continuing to play our part, whether it’s through platform innovations like RosterStream, AI-powered tools like RosterAI, or support that’s built to scale alongside district and vendor teams alike.
As we look ahead to back-to-school, we’ll continue working closely with our partners to eliminate the roadblocks, so teachers, students, and EdTech builders can focus on what really matters.
Thanks to everyone who made ISTE 2025 one to remember.
Keep Calm and Roster On!
Mick
