A look inside the movement of global EdTech
Key Highlights
- An ecosystem, not isolated tools: Conversations across Bett UK 2026 reinforced a clear shift. Software, hardware, security, content, and classroom infrastructure are evolving together, and meaningful progress depends on how well these elements align in real learning environments.
- AI with responsibility at the centre: The focus moved beyond capability toward deployment. Governance, data protection, and human-in-the-loop workflows shaped the most valuable discussions, with emphasis on easing administrative load while preserving educational judgement.
- Hybrid learning designed into the room: Hands-on exploration of hybrid classroom setups showed how physical and remote learners can share the same experience, underscoring the importance of designing learning spaces for flexibility, clarity, and participation.
From 21–23 January 2026, one of the biggest Education Technology events globally housed educators, technologists, and industry leaders under the same roof. Bett UK 2026 filled the halls of ExCeL London with a buzzing and sustained energy. Screens ran live demonstrations without pause, voices layered over one another across corridors, and conversations followed people as they moved and merged back into the wider flow of the exhibition.
For Gear Education, the experience began a day earlier, away from the scale of the main exhibition. Our founder, Christina Shailas, had been invited to an exclusive Google Partner Forum, where top partners were given a preview of Google for Education’s product roadmap and long-term direction. The setting allowed ideas to unfold at a slower pace, with space for reflection and meaningful connection with Google for Education team members.
It was an early immersion into the thinking that shaped the conference, and a fitting introduction to one of the industry’s most influential gatherings. Christina reflected on our introduction to the event –
“Starting at Google for Education’s Global Partner forum gave us a head start on the trends shaping 2026. The product preview was great, and it felt more like a strategy session on intentional innovation. We saw firsthand how Google is architecting a unified ecosystem where AI lives inside education technology tools, making learning more personalized and secure.”
Arrivals, First Connections, and the Opening Day
The first official day of Bett opened with another moment of connection at Canva for Education’s welcome breakfast. The Canva for Education team greeted attendees with enthusiasm, dressed in distinctive white canvas jackets that became a shared visual cue across the room. Conversations moved between introductions, shared experiences, and anticipation for the days ahead, creating a sense of familiarity before the exhibition floor came fully into view.
By the time the Gear Education team reached the entrance, the atmosphere had shifted into full momentum. Attendees queued to collect their badges beside the welcome signage, pausing to ask one another for photos, offering to return the favour, and introducing themselves in the process.
Teams gathered, adjusted lanyards, and smiled for the camera, turning arrival into a shared ritual and an early point of connection before stepping into the wider event.
Partner Conversations and Ongoing Collaboration
Once inside, the rhythm of the day was shaped by shared insights and thoughts with partners, each interaction adding depth to the broader picture forming across the exhibition.
Our early meetings included time with Joshua Maddocks, co-founder of Skriva, where Gear Education was introduced to Skriva’s latest product developments, with further insights to be shared soon. There’s nothing like sharing the future of hardware in the classroom over a coffee!
Moving between partner conversations made one thing increasingly clear. Education technology is no longer advancing in isolated layers. Software, hardware, security, content, and classroom infrastructure are evolving together, and meaningful progress depends on how well those pieces align.
Google for Education anchored much of this thinking, particularly around AI, data protection, and the responsible deployment of AI in schools and universities. Our discussions with Jamf and Clever highlighted how secure access, streamlined workflows, and thoughtful integrations continue to shape how technology is experienced day to day by educators and students.
Hardware and infrastructure conversations completed the picture. Lenovo Chromebooks, alongside display and interaction solutions from ViewSonic, demonstrated how classrooms continue to evolve physically as well as digitally. Insights from Jamf and LocknCharge brought focus to device management and the practical realities of keeping technology safe and ready for use at scale.
Movement across the exhibition floor led naturally from one meeting to the next. Time spent at the Google for Education stand became a recurring anchor, where platform capabilities were explored alongside classroom integration and the wider ecosystem supporting schools and higher education institutions. We even got a preview of the hardware inside Lenovo’s Chromebooks, exploring how the shift toward on-device AI processing is set to enhance data privacy and reduce latency in the classroom.
Generative AI and the Role of Gemini in Higher Education
Bett’s zones encouraged exploration by design. Sessions overlapped, demonstrations unfolded side by side, and ideas surfaced in both scheduled talks and spontaneous exchanges. Moving through the halls meant moving between perspectives, gathering insight through observation as much as conversation.
Generative AI appeared throughout the event, shaping discussions across partner stands and learning tracks. Its presence reflected a growing shift toward tools that adapt to learners, educators, and institutions with greater sensitivity and scale.
A particular focus rested on Google Gemini, especially in the context of Higher Education. Their booth explored how Gemini supported personalized learning experiences, offering adaptive feedback aligned with individual student needs. Its role as a research assistant and content creation tool also drew interest, particularly among faculty navigating increasing demands on time and attention.
Attention increasingly highlighted the importance of governance and security. Schools and universities were not only exploring what AI could enable, but how it could be deployed responsibly, with clear safeguards, appropriate training, and alignment with existing policies.
Across the multitude of conversations and insights shared, Christina found that –
“There were some overstated elements, particularly this ‘magic wand’ narrative. It’s the idea that AI will simply automate grading and save everyone. What is genuinely useful is ‘Agentic AI’, moving away from chatbots to assistants that can handle the administrative fatigue like email triage and resource organization, finally giving teachers the gift of time.
Responsibility in this space is all about ‘human-in-the-loop’ workflows. A machine should never be the final arbiter of a student’s potential, but it can certainly be the engine that helps them get there.”
Teaching, Learning, and Hands-On Exploration
The software track added further texture to the event, with sessions exploring digital citizenship, blended learning models, and accessibility through classroom-level experience.
That thinking became tangible through hands-on exploration of classroom hardware, particularly the hybrid classroom setup from Logitech. The space demonstrated how in-room and remote learners could share the same learning experience, using cameras, microphones, and interactive displays designed for clarity, visibility, and participation across both settings. The setup reflected a practical response to how teaching now moves between physical and virtual spaces.
Throughout these sessions, one theme remained consistent. Technology becomes meaningful when educators feel confident using it. Training, content alignment, and day-to-day usability shaped many of the conversations at Bett UK 2026, reinforcing the importance of supporting teachers alongside new tools.
Gear Education’s Presence and What Comes Next
Our conversations at Bett carried significant meaning for schools and universities across Cyprus and Greece. Many of the questions raised around AI, security, infrastructure, and training mirrored those Gear Education continues to explore locally with educators and institutions.
As the event came to a close, it left space for reflection. How are schools and universities preparing for the next phase of education technology? How are decisions around AI, security, content, and infrastructure being shaped today? Christina shared a closing thought after Bett UK 2026’s conclusion –
“To my fellow educators, don’t let the pace of change intimidate you. You are the architect; AI is the apprentice. I’m walking away curious about how we will redefine critical thinking in this new era. At Gear Education, we are ready to lead this shift with you.”
Gear Education continues to explore these questions alongside its partners and the schools it supports. For institutions looking ahead, the conversation remains open. Gear Education welcomes educators and leaders to explore what the future of their school or university can become, and to continue the journey together, including the next Bett event in 2027.
