Global Classrooms and AI Mentors: The Next Decade of Education

The future of education is unfolding faster than we might imagine. In a recent episode of EdTech on the Street: Real Talk in the City That Never Sleeps, I met with Nicki, Magic Solmark’s board member, at our NY office. In our conversation, he shared insights on the future of learning, his take on the AI era, and how technology, accessibility, and global connection will reshape the classroom.

The Next Decade of EdTech

Nicki has spent more than three decades working at the intersection of technology and learning. When he reflected on those decades, he explained how every wave of change has demanded adaptation and flexibility as key differentiators for companies that last. From the beginning of the computer era with computer‑based training to today’s nonstop conversations about AI, the challenge has always been the same: how do we harness innovation without losing sight of the human experience?

The Promise of AI in Education

AI is everywhere these days, and it is nearly impossible to have a conversation without AI entering the conversation. Nicki explained that AI has the potential to act as a mentor for students and a partner for teachers when used ethically and responsibly. In a future where every learner has a personalized guide to help them understand, practice, and grow in their education and career, a new potential is unleashed. Additionally, this will free up teachers to shift their roles to focus more on developing students’ creativity, empathy, and deeper connections.

The classroom of the future could be both high‑tech and deeply human, with a fair balance.

Accessibility at the Center

Similar to Magic EdTech’s other EdTech on the Street in the City That Never Sleeps conversations, Nicki shared the importance of equal opportunity for learners. Nicki emphasized that accessibility must be built in from the start of any learning platform, tool, or solution.

As technology becomes more central to education, it has to serve every learner, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance. From designing inclusive content to ensuring equitable access to devices, accessibility should never be an afterthought. It should be the foundation of a building.

The Future Is Global Classrooms

Technology also has the power to break down borders. With the rise of AI creating real‑time translations for streaming content, Nicki envisions a world where classrooms are not limited to geography. A student in rural America could attend classes in Eastern Europe and collaborate with peers in Asia or Africa in real time. This would create an opportunity to learn traditional school subjects like science or math, and also new pillars such as cultural empathy and global citizenship. The next decade of education will be defined as much by connection as by content.

Advice for EdTech Leaders

For companies shaping the future of learning, Nicki offered clear advice:

• Stay focused on the problems that matter most for students and teachers, rather than creating what you think they need without understanding their pain points.
• Build partnerships that extend reach without compromising quality.
• Think beyond the immediate sale and design solutions that can evolve with schools over time.

Nicki reminded us that, with the new possibilities unlocked by AI, global connectivity, and accessibility developments, education is not standing still. The question for educators, policymakers, and EdTech innovators is whether we are ready to adapt to the next wave and what role we want to play in shaping it.

Filmed live in Magic EdTech’s NY office, NYC. Part of the “EdTech on the Street: Real Talk in the City That Never Sleeps” video series by Magic EdTech.