BETT 2026: AI in Education – Focus on Practical Use

The world’s largest edutech fair, ‘BETT UK 2026 (hereinafter referred to as Bessho)’, ended successfully. Education officials from each country who participated in Bessho agreed that “Artificial intelligence (AI) has now passed the period of judging whether to introduce it and has entered the generalization stage.”

Bessho’s slogan this year, which was held for three days from the 21st to the 23rd at Excel London, England, was ‘Learning without limits’, emphasizing that technology can break down barriers to education.

The topic of limitless learning was definitely AI. From lectures held in the arena hall to corporate exhibition booths, AI was a keyword that could not be left out. Global big tech companies such as Google, Microsoft (MS), Canva, and Kahoot unveiled services and content combined with AI through exhibition booths. Google announced new features and collaboration tools by integrating Gemini into its education solutions.

Visual Communication Canva introduced the ability to collect and manage class feedback and responses using AI and the ability to create AI-based educational activities. MS also unveiled a version that expands the existing Copilot to lesson design, assignments, and student learning at this Betsho.

AI for everyone… Similar technology

Bessho participants agreed that AI is developing rapidly, but said that “all companies are utilizing AI technology, leading to an upward leveling of overall technology.”

An elementary school teacher from Seoul said, “I looked around the booths, but I didn’t see any services or technologies that could be considered very surprising. I thought that now that AI technology has reached a certain level, the expansion of ideas is slowing down.”

James, who is working as an edutech activist in the UK, said, “AI tools are now becoming the basis rather than a special differentiator,” and analyzed, “This is also the reason why Betsho also emphasizes the method of use and policies rather than the technology itself.”

Seonghye Yoon, Director of Learning Spark, said, “I feel like I am now used to the solutions presented at the booths of big tech companies,” and added, “I think imagination regarding products that can be implemented with AI has reached a plateau for a while.”

AI technology, ‘unique’ use determines success or failure

Korean edtech officials predicted that global competition would become more intense. This is because the competition is not about AI source technology, but about how to use AI. Rather than creating new models, big tech companies are diversifying and subdividing functions and expanding the scope of their platforms.

Kim Ji-hye, managing director of Ice Cream Media’s new business development division, said, “Even detailed learning tools that were previously developed mainly by small companies are entering deeper into education as large companies such as MS and Canva are creating them.” She added, “It feels like the market is becoming more difficult for small companies as they are pushed out by big tech and the near future becomes unpredictable.”

Park Ki-hyun, CEO of Techville Education’s EdTech division, said, “Because all companies have a structure that uses the basic AI model, it is ultimately a question of how to use AI.” CEO Park said, “Because big tech companies have development capabilities, they can implement deeper services by linking with other tools,” and added, “If they cannot come up with unique ideas that will stand out, it will be more difficult for small companies to pioneer the market on their own.”

London = Reporter Lee Ji-hee easy@etnews.com