Practical AI That Teachers Actually Love with Levi Belnap of Merlyn Mind

Send us Fan MailLevi Belnap is the CEO of Merlyn Mind, where he has been instrumental in driving the company's vision and growth since joining in 2019. Before assuming his current role, Levi served as Chief Strategy Officer for nearly four years and later as Chief Revenue Officer. Prior to Merlyn Mind, Levi built an impressive career in business development and entrepreneurship. He worked for Defy Ventures, served as Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships at Wyzant, and co-founded FindIt, where he served as CEO. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in Political Science and received his MBA from Harvard Business School. He currently resides in Houston, Texas, where he continues to lead Merlyn Mind in transforming educational technology.💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:How voice AI is helping teachers regain control of the classroomWhy AI should be invisible, not overwhelming, for educatorsReal classroom impacts: higher engagement, fewer disruptionsHow multi-language support is changing access to techThe future of AI in education: enabling, not replacing, teachers✨ Episode Highlights:[00:01:20] Levi Belnap’s journey to leading Merlyn Mind[00:02:36] What Merlyn Mind’s voice AI actually does in classrooms[00:04:19] Evolving AI strategy: Before and after ChatGPT[00:07:29] How teacher needs drive real edtech innovation[00:09:23] A day in the life of a "Merlyn-enabled" teacher[00:17:16] Voice AI’s impact on student focus and behavior[00:25:46] New Spanish-language capabilities at Merlyn Mind[00:36:59] Why embedding AI in real workflows is the future of edtech😎 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.