Starring Meta, Carousel Learning and Udemy: ETIH rolls out the biggest education technology news stories of the week
As we wrap up another week and the weekend looms ahead, it's time to sit back and reflect on the key developments in the edtech sector. Here are the top stories from the past seven days that you need to know about.
‘We’ve worked hard to figure out what LLMs can and can’t do,’ says Carousel founder Adam Boxer
The integration of artificial intelligence into various sectors has been a hot topic for years, and education is no exception.
Carousel Learning, an innovative edtech company, has recently conducted a significant research project examining the potential of AI in marking students' work.
In an exclusive chat with ETIH, Adam Boxer, Founder of Carousel Learning and science teacher, shared the motivations, findings, and implications of the groundbreaking study.
Read the full story.
Transact Campus releases summer update for IDX platform to improve campus management
Transact Campus, a campus tech provider, has announced the summer update of its cloud-based platform, Transact IDX.
Rasheed Behrooznia, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Campus ID at Transact, emphasised, “With IDX we are continuously delivering advanced features and new innovations to our cloud-native platform.
"The Transact IDX Summer release is particularly exciting because it marks a milestone with new features that together deliver the most powerful campus management, seamlessly providing credentials, payments, and security throughout colleges and universities.”
Read the full story.
Meta launches $2 million Llama 3.1 Impact grants to support AI projects
Meta has announced the launch of its Llama 3.1 Impact Grants programme, offering a total of USD $2 million to support projects that leverage its latest open-source AI model, Llama 3.1.
The Llama 3.1 Impact Grants programme seeks proposals from researchers, developers, and organisations that will use Llama 3.1's new features. The objective is to explore how these advanced AI tools can solve real-world problems across various sectors, including healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, and social services.
Read the full story.
Udemy and Republic Polytechnic team up to provide SkillsFuture-eligible courses
Udemy has partnered with Republic Polytechnic to provide Singaporeans with access to 27,000 SkillsFuture Credit-eligible courses.
Udemy, an online learning platform, offers a wide range of technical and professional courses. Singaporeans can use their SkillsFuture Credit for a 12-month subscription to Udemy Business via the MySkillsFuture portal. The plan offers access to courses in fields such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, language learning, and marketing.
Greg Brown, President and CEO of Udemy, commented:
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Republic Polytechnic to bring accessible, high-quality upskilling opportunities to Singaporeans, making our courses eligible for SkillsFuture Credit.
Read the full story.
Netcom Training secures funding to boost digital skills in South Yorkshire
Netcom Training, a provider of digital skills training and Skills Bootcamps based in the Midlands, has been awarded Adult Skills Funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to deliver specialised digital courses in the region.
Kevin Vashi, Managing Director at Netcom Training, highlighted the initiative's goals:
"This investment will enable us to broaden our reach and impact in new regions, providing vital digital skills training to adults who need it most. Our goal is to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in today’s economy.”
Read the full story.
Richard King Mellon Foundation invests $300,000 in LoanBYE for educator loan relief
The Richard King Mellon Foundation has committed $300,000 to LoanBYE, a Pittsburgh-based company specialising in student loan debt relief solutions for employees.
The investment will help support educators and childcare providers by alleviating their student loan burden, thus enhancing educational support in Pittsburgh's most vulnerable areas.
Read the full story.
Fashion Retail Academy names Lord Stuart Rose as first patron ahead of new campus opening
The Fashion Retail Academy (FRA), a specialist college based in London, has announced the appointment of Lord Stuart Rose as its first patron.
The announcement comes as the Academy prepares to relocate to its new campus at Electra House on Moorgate in September.
Lord Stuart Rose, known for his influential role in the UK retail sector, will bring his extensive experience to his new role at FRA. As the former CEO of Marks & Spencer, a founding partner of the FRA, and a past chair of the British Fashion Council, Lord Rose has consistently supported the Academy since its foundation in 2005.
Read the full story.
United States leads global AI investment with over $335 billion, study finds
A new study by ZeroBounce has identified the countries making the fastest advances in AI, with the United States leading the charge.
The study, which analysed private investments, AI start-ups, and workforce metrics, provides a detailed overview of the global landscape of AI development.
The United States has secured its position at the forefront of AI advancement, with over $335 billion in private investments over the past decade. In 2023 alone, the US invested $67.22 billion in AI. The country boasts 5,509 AI start-ups and has 71,000 AI-related job vacancies in 2024, highlighting its significant role in the AI sector.
Read the full story.
University of South Wales upgrades student information system with Ellucian SaaS platform
The University of South Wales (USW) is set to implement a new Student Information System (SIS) to modernise its technology operations and improve the student experience.
The University, established over 180 years ago, has campuses in Cardiff, Newport, and Pontypridd. It will use Banner, part of the Ellucian SaaS Platform, as part of its long-standing relationship with Ellucian, a higher education technology solutions provider.
Read the full story.