FETC names student, educator keynote speakers for 2027 opening session

The Future of Education Technology Conference said its 2027 opening keynote will feature a college founder, a high school innovator and an educator focused on AI and student-centered learning. The Jan. 26 session in Orlando comes as the conference expands to include higher education leaders and as most students already report using AI.

Why it matters: - FETC is using its 2027 opening keynote to spotlight student voice, AI use and classroom innovation at a moment when 86 percent of students already report using AI. - The conference is also widening its scope, with higher education leaders joining the conversation for the first time through a co-located executive summit.

What happened: - The Future of Education Technology Conference announced the speakers for its 2027 opening keynote, "Power Players: The Next Generation Is Already in the Game." - The keynote is scheduled for Jan. 26 in Orlando, Florida. - The session will feature Crystal Yang, Yash Maheshwari and Holly Clark. - FETC 2027 runs Jan. 26-29 in Orlando.

The details: - Crystal Yang is a college entrepreneur, AI in education expert and founder and CEO of Audemy. - Yang will discuss how AI can expand access, personalize learning, foster creativity, reduce administrative work and support students and educators. - Yang will also outline practical strategies for using AI responsibly to help every learner thrive. - Yash Maheshwari is a high school senior at Mountain View High School. - Maheshwari will push educators and education leaders to keep student voice at the center of AI innovation and to give students a seat at the table. - Holly Clark is a globally recognized learning strategist and founder of The Infused Classroom. - Clark will focus on keeping students at the center of learning and ensuring neurodivergent learners are not left behind. - Clark's work at The Infused Classroom centers on helping educators integrate AI and technology with intention and purpose. - FETC said full speaker bios and session details are available at fetc.org.

Between the lines: - The keynote lineup mixes a college founder, a high school student and a veteran educator, signaling that FETC wants to frame education technology as a multigenerational conversation. - Conference leaders are positioning student input as more than a talking point, with the announcement emphasizing that decisions about AI in classrooms are often being made without students. - The first-time co-location with the University Business Executive Leadership Summit signals a broader K-20 agenda, not just a K-12 one. - Arc Network's education business is using the keynote to link K-12 innovation with higher education leadership and workforce preparation.

What's next: - FETC attendees will hear the opening keynote on Jan. 26, followed by conference programming through Jan. 29. - The University Business Executive Leadership Summit will bring presidents, provosts and chief academic officers into the same venue for the first time. - FETC said more speaker information and session details are available ahead of the event.