Starring Multiverse, Udemy, Buddy.ai and more: ETIH rounds up the top ten AI stories of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, one thing is certain: AI is no longer a future concept – it’s a present reality in education. From AI-driven tutors and personalized learning tools to groundbreaking university programs, this year showcased how AI is transforming the way we teach, learn, and connect.
Here are the top AI stories of 2024, highlighting the innovations that are pushing the boundaries of education.
10. Rocket Learning secures Google.org support to launch AI tutor for early childhood education in India (October)
Kicking off at number 10, Rocket Learning is set to make early education in India more accessible with its AI-powered tutor, Saheli. Backed by Google.org Fellows, Saheli is designed for children aged 3 to 6, adapting to each child’s learning pace and needs. The goal? To prepare millions of underserved children for school through personalised, interactive learning experiences.
Delivered through government-run preschools, this initiative aims to reach 50 million children within the next five years. With Google.org’s technical support, this AI tool is more than an experiment – it’s a potential game-changer for the future of India’s youngest learners.
9. First AI tutor Manda powered by Meta’s Llama 3 launches for secondary students (October)
At number 9, TLC LIVE introduced Manda, an AI tutor designed to help secondary students master maths and English. Powered by Meta’s Llama 3 and trained on over 550,000 minutes of real tutoring sessions with qualified UK teachers, Manda wants to provide affordable, high-quality tutoring at just £10 a month.
TLC LIVE isn’t looking to replace human tutors. Instead, Manda acts as a supplementary tool that blends AI efficiency with teacher-approved methods. This launch reflects a growing trend: AI tools filling gaps where human support isn’t always available. In a world of rising education costs, Manda offers a budget-friendly, curriculum-aligned solution for students.
8. Multiverse expands leadership with appointments of Baroness Martha Lane Fox and Jillian Gillespie (November)
In at number 8, Multiverse strengthened its mission to tackle the global skills gap by welcoming Baroness Martha Lane Fox and Jillian Gillespie to its leadership team.
Lane Fox, a UK tech pioneer, and Gillespie, a finance veteran from MongoDB, bring a wealth of experience as Multiverse ramps up its focus on AI and tech-driven apprenticeships.
This leadership boost comes as Multiverse launched the UK’s first AI-focused apprenticeship program and saw record growth driven by demand for AI and tech skills.
Multiverse is positioning itself to reshape workforce development in the AI era.
7. Udemy introduces AI Assistant and Skills Mapping to support enterprise workforce development (October)
Sliding into number 7, Udemy rolled out a suite of AI-powered tools to supercharge workforce development. The new features include the Udemy AI Assistant, which uses natural-language chat to guide learners to the right courses, and Skills Mapping, which helps organizations identify critical skill gaps. Together, these tools are designed to offer personalised, scalable learning for Udemy’s 16,000 enterprise customers worldwide.
In a market where upskilling is no longer optional, Udemy’s AI tools are cutting through the noise and delivering targeted learning paths.
6. Nectir secures $6.3M to personalize learning with AI (December)
Kicking off the list, Nectir raised $6.3 million to develop its AI-powered learning assistants. These AI tools step in where teacher shortages leave gaps, providing personalized support tailored to each student’s needs. By reducing the administrative burden on educators and offering adaptable learning experiences, Nectir is making a strong case for AI as an essential classroom companion. It’s not about replacing teachers – it’s about giving them an extra set of virtual hands.
5. Buddy.ai raises $11M to expand AI tutoring for kids (November)
At number 7, Buddy.ai secured $11 million to expand its AI-powered voice-based tutors.
Designed to make learning feel like chatting with a friendly robot, Buddy.ai helps kids improve in reading, maths, and languages.
It’s affordable, engaging, and accessible – perfect for families who need extra learning support without breaking the bank.
Buddy.ai shows that AI tutors don’t just deliver lessons – they build confidence, one conversation at a time.
4. Udemy introduces AI tools for smarter workforce development (October)
Sliding in at number 6, Udemy is back with their AI Assistant and Skills Mapping tool launch, to keep workforce development on point. The AI Assistant recommends personalized courses, while Skills Mapping helps businesses spot and fill skill gaps.
In a job market that refuses to sit still, these tools ensure employees stay ahead of the game. Udemy’s approach highlights a growing trend: AI isn’t just changing what we learn – it’s changing how we learn.
3. AI course enrollments in UK universities surge by 453% (November)
At number 5, a study revealed a jaw-dropping 453% increase in AI course enrollments across UK universities over the past five years. It seems students have gotten the memo: AI skills are no longer optional. With industries clamoring for AI expertise, universities are stepping up to meet demand. This surge shows that higher education is pivoting toward AI, preparing students for a world where understanding algorithms is as important as reading and writing.
2. AI-driven teacherless classrooms launched in London (August)
Cracking the top 3, David Game College in London introduced AI-driven teacherless classrooms.
In these experimental spaces, AI handles lesson delivery, feedback, and progress tracking.
While some see this as a glimpse into the future of education, others worry about what’s lost when human teachers step back.
It’s a bold move that raises a crucial question: Can AI replicate the human connection that makes great teaching great? The jury’s still out.
1. Top 50 universities for AI education in 2024 announced (March)
Taking the top spot, the Top 50 Universities for AI Education ranking revealed the institutions leading the AI charge, including heavyweights like MIT, Stanford, and Oxford. These universities are shaping the next generation of AI innovators and ensuring that students graduate with the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. This story underscores a simple truth: the future belongs to those who understand AI – and these institutions are where that future is being built.
Looking ahead to 2025
The AI stories of 2024 proved that it is no longer an add-on – it’s becoming central to education. From personalized learning tools and AI tutors to teacherless classrooms and workforce training, AI is providing innovative solutions that are transforming how we teach and learn. As we head into 2025, expect AI to dig deeper into classrooms, driving efficiency, accessibility, and innovation in ways we’re only beginning to imagine.
Its potential to revolutionize education is immense. By automating repetitive administrative tasks, teachers are freed up to focus on what truly matters: teaching and connecting with students. AI-powered tools can create personalized learning experiences, identifying each student’s unique strengths and challenges, and tailoring support to their needs. For students in underserved communities, AI can help bridge the gap, providing access to resources and opportunities that may otherwise have been out of reach.
However, while AI opens the door to incredible possibilities, it’s essential to approach this new frontier thoughtfully. The most important people in all of this remain the students. Every tool, program, and initiative must prioritize their needs, ensuring that technology enhances their education rather than becoming a distraction. AI’s role should be to support and amplify the work of teachers, who remain the most critical part of the learning process.
The rise of AI also comes with legitimate concerns. Questions around equity, ethics, data privacy, and bias need to be addressed transparently and urgently. Who benefits from these advancements, and how do we ensure no one is left behind? While AI is a tool of innovation, it must also be a tool of inclusion.
At its best, AI has the potential to create dynamic, engaging learning environments that adapt to students’ needs and empower teachers to do their best work. It can spark curiosity, encourage creativity, and open new doors for lifelong learning. But as we navigate this exciting landscape, we must balance optimism with responsibility.
The conversation around AI in education is only getting louder – and it’s a conversation worth having.
