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Only the bright neon signage above the Excel Centre in London could break through the mist on the opening day of Bett 2025, but even the bad weather couldn’t ruin what was a fantastic event. Although the effects of the pandemic are now (thankfully) in the rear-view mirror, it was lovely to see the exhibition so busy with many new start-ups showing the sector what they have to offer. Countless meetings and breakout sessions took place, providing learning opportunities. As predicted, artificial intelligence (AI) was the buzzword of the exhibition, but many were keen to emphasize how AI can be used creatively to enhance the teaching and learning experience rather than just focus on the nuts and bolts of how a solution works.
Print and Imaging Offerings
Three of the major print vendors were present at the exhibition: HP, Canon, and Epson. All of them wanted to show how they have embraced big themes like AI and sustainability in their product offerings and corporate outlooks. HP and Canon were keen to emphasize how AI is being integrated into their print offering, with Canon showcasing its imageFORCE C7165, which offers AI-recommended security settings. Both vendors also confirmed that, with the need for institutions to meet pressing carbon neutral targets, they are being required to ensure that their products and services can assist with this task as part of the tender process.
Interestingly, Epson opted for a completely different approach. Unlike last year, they did not showcase any print or scanning devices (only via a rolling video projected on part of the stand). Instead, the company focused on projection equipment, interactive whiteboards, video conferencing, and its partnership with Gener8 Spaces—an interactive technology that facilitates immersive projection. Whilst Epson states its print and scan business is doing remarkably well in the education sector and that the company is happy with the offering brought to market, it’s interesting to notice its focus on projection (a key staple for Epson, anyway) and the move to more immersive, virtual augmented reality (VAR)-style technology that can enhance teaching and learning.
AI Trends in Education
Among the many roundtable, break-out, and other sessions that took place, many of the presentations focused on the evolving role of AI in education. Speakers from a range of businesses, public bodies, and governance gave insight into how AI is being used in different areas of education, as well as how they see AI use developing over the next few years. A presentation of interest, given by Canva’s Carly Daff, highlighted how Canva’s AI-enhanced products can be used to develop lessons and activities in all subjects that would usually take hours to prepare. How to save time for teachers was a big topic, with most speakers emphasizing how AI can help give teachers back capacity to devote to other activities.
I also had the pleasure of interviewing HP’s Global Head of Education Charles Radman. We spoke about all sorts of topics concerning AI and education, as well as his recent senior leadership roundtables where representatives from many industries, the public sector, educators, and government try to solve some of the big issues facing global education today. We also discussed how AI is influencing education ministries in developing countries to plug holes in resource gaps and cultural barriers. (Stay tuned for my full analysis, including more from this interview, in the coming weeks on the InfoCenter!)
Keypoint Intelligence Opinion
This year’s edition of Bett was vibrant, with a truly global presence. It was great to see many of the print exhibitors showing their vision for education, along with the big tech exhibitors like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe. Discussions took place on most of the stands not just around what exhibitors could sell, but more on the implications of broader topics such as AI and sustainability on education and how they can help. The bar is high this year; let’s see what we can learn and achieve.
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