The rising use of AI in edtech (Duolingo, ClassDojo, and Coursera have all added AI features to their platform) adds another layer of questions, as teachers have already expressed concern about the cognitive offloading effect, where over-reliance on technology shortcuts can impair students’ memory, comprehension, and critical thinking. Some experts think the best way to integrate tech into the classroom is for edtech companies to develop tools that focus on training and support for educators. The U.S. Department of Education, meanwhile, published a report that advocates for the development of “inspectable, explainable, overridable AI” that is used to supplement rather than replace educators; and for AI developers to inform and involve educators, always keeping humans in the loop, and focus on equity, trust, and safety of these tools. 

See the full list of America’s Top EdTech Companies of 2026 below: