AI-powered learning gets personal at Bett 2025 

As Bett—the biggest education technology exhibition in the world—celebrates 40 years, we look ahead to see how AI and eSports are going to shape the next wave of transformational outcomes in and beyond the classroom.  

Personalized learning, the positive impact of eSports on digital skills development, and an appetite for next-generation devices that enhance teaching and learning—all have been firm fixtures at Bett in recent years. Yet walking the floor of the Excel in London, as it celebrates a key milestone this year, it was clear a shift is underway.

Integrated and connected

Everything at Bett felt far more integrated and connected, filled with an even greater confidence and excitement about what the next evolution of EdTech could bring. Yes, AI increased its footprint, and that’s to be expected. But it equally sparked deep conversations anchored around how AI can, and will, revolutionize industries as well as impact education in profound ways.

Not only will AI refine skills development initiatives to drive programs which help students acquire and hone the capabilities they’ll need to thrive in the future world of work. It will also offer new opportunities to help unite communities and unlock new pathways to enriched learning experiences that were previously only imaginable. AI truly is changing educators’ perspectives on what they may be able to achieve in the short and long term.

The true value of AI

AI continues to gain momentum in boardroom conversations, but many organizations are yet to move beyond experimentation to realize implementations that deliver measurable returns on investment. It's therefore unsurprising that 69% of schools are yet to implement AI technologies.

However, the appetite and enthusiasm are palpable. Increasing investment—not least of which the UK Government’s pledge of £4 million in August last year—will go towards developing AI tools for teachers, focusing on lesson planning and homework marking. The opportunities and possibilities are only just starting to emerge.

There remains a certain reticence from many educators, who are unconvinced that AI can or will replace the human aspect of learning. Nonetheless, the ways in which AI capabilities can help reduce teacher workloads are as eagerly anticipated as the emerging tools that can help them deliver better learning outcomes through the application of enhanced analytics and insights.

Accelerating inclusivity

The meteoric rise of eSports is not to be underestimated. The increasing presence of students participating in live eSports events, such as Dell Technologies Rocket League tournament, has accelerated noticeably in recent years. Such showcases are perfect examples of how technology can have a fundamentally positive impact on accelerating inclusive learning both in and outside the classroom.

A wealth of related announcements this year clearly shows momentum is building. Institutions are increasing their investment in courses and learning centers, which provide every single participating student with equal opportunities for excellence.

Additionally, the notion of eSports being solely focused on gaming continues to abate. More and more success stories are emerging of students who are not typical academic or sports heroes overcoming disabilities and setbacks to develop analytical and communication skills essential to further education and future employment opportunities.

Unlocking pathways to excellence

The possibilities for improved outcomes, aided by advancements in technology, have never been greater. Microsoft and Google both noticeably doubled down on firming up their commitment to personalized learning initiatives.

New Google for Education features, Chromebook innovations, the launch of the Spark learning app for CoPilot, and Learning Accelerator for Microsoft Teams led the charge. They clearly demonstrate a long-term commitment to building tailored-made offerings bespoke to a range of classroom-based scenarios and requirements.

Other announcements for solutions that focused on supporting educators included Class tools, a new set of real-time control and student engagement features for managed Chromebooks. Such pathways to excellence can only be achieved if institutions and technology vendors work together in a far more integrated manner and there is investment and commitment from all sides.

Looking to the future

As Bett looks ahead at the next 40 years, the narrative needs to continue to highlight that EdTech’s evolution and success is not limited to one sole initiative, device, or program. Success lies in how effectively technology providers and educators can work in partnership to establish integrated offerings that leverage developing technologies.  

Landing that message and establishing the necessary partnerships with schools is one thing, but the real focus needs to be on the leaders of tomorrow and the pioneers of the next wave of EdTech innovations.