New Year, New Ideas with Google Part 2: Benedict Gomes and Maureen Heymans on AI, Learning, and Sustainability

Send us Fan MailBenedict Gomes, SVP of Learning & Sustainability at Google, leads efforts to transform education and tackle global climate challenges. His organization develops tools like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and YouTube-based learning platforms, empowering educators and learners worldwide. Ben also drives sustainability initiatives, including decarbonization and creating global environmental data solutions.Maureen Heymans, VP of Engineering, Learning & Sustainability at Google, oversees AI integration into tools like Search, YouTube, and Classroom to democratize access to quality education. She collaborates across teams to pioneer personalized learning technologies while leading sustainability initiatives that harness AI to address climate challenges and drive impactful global solutions.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Google is revolutionizing learning with products like Google Classroom, ReadAlong, and Learn About.The role of AI in creating personalized tutors for students and teaching assistants for educators.Insights into Google’s efforts to make sustainability a core part of its mission through AI and partnerships.How Google collaborates across teams to integrate pedagogy into AI tools like LearnLM.The vision for equitable access to personalized education worldwide, powered by AI.✨ Episode Highlights:[00:02:18] Ben shares how AI is transforming education and Google’s vision for supporting learning globally.[00:03:48] Discussing the importance of multimodal learning tools and products like NotebookLM and YouTube.[00:19:24] Maureen reflects on how project-based learning and the pandemic inspired her focus on education.[00:37:16] Explaining LearnX’s collaborative approach to driving learning innovations across Google’s ecosystem.[00:46:16] Introducing Learn About, a new AI-driven conversational tool combining pedagogy with the power of the web.[00:53:30] Envisioning a future where AI makes high-quality, personalized education accessible to billions globally.😎 Stay updated with Edtech Insiders! Follow our Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon MusicSign up for the Edtech Insiders newsletter.Follow Edtech Insiders on LinkedIn!🎉 Presenting Sponsor:Innovation in preK to gray learning is powered by exceptional people. For over 15 years, EdTech companies of all sizes and stages have trusted HireEducation to find the talent that drives impact. When specific skills and experiences are mission-critical, HireEducation is a partner that delivers. Offering permanent, fractional, and executive recruitment, HireEducation knows the go-to-market talent you need. Learn more at HireEdu.com. This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education. Tuck Advisors was founded by entrepreneurs who built and sold their own companies, frustrated by other m and a firms, they created the one they wished they could have hired but couldn't find. One who understands what matters to founders and whose North Star KPI is the percentage of deals closed. If you're thinking of selling your ed tech company or buying one contact Tuck advisors now. Every year, K-12 districts and higher ed institutions spend over half a trillion dollars—but most sales teams miss the signals. Starbridge tracks early signs like board minutes, budget drafts, and strategic plans, then helps you turn them into personalized outreach—fast. Win the deal before it hits the RFP stage. That’s how top edtech teams stay ahead.