The future of AI and learning with Google for Education

At Bett Asia 2026, Felix Goh, Gemini Adoption Lead – Higher Education, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Taiwan at Google, explored how artificial intelligence is transforming education, from institutional leadership and classroom innovation to personalised student learning.

In 2025, for the first time, learning became the number one reason people use AI globally, overtaking entertainment as individuals increasingly turned to artificial intelligence to develop new skills and understand complex topics. This shift highlights the growing role AI can play in transforming education.

While the Asia Pacific region leads the way in AI-powered learning, a significant training gap remains. Research presented during the session revealed that although 86% of faculty want to use AI, only 17% feel they have received the training needed to use it effectively. Addressing this gap requires more than access to technology; it demands practical training, institutional support and a foundation of trust.

At a national level, Datuk Ts. Dr. Mohd Nor Azman bin Hassan, Deputy Secretary General of Management & Development at Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education, highlighted the importance of equipping approximately 738,000 students and 162,000 educators and administrative staff with advanced tools to boost productivity, support economic growth and prepare future-ready graduates.

For education leaders, Gemini for Education was presented as a thinking partner, supporting tasks such as analysing institutional data, drafting school policies and researching new teaching approaches. Google's emphasis on enterprise-grade data protection, transparency and responsible AI adoption demonstrated the importance of building trust as institutions embrace digital transformation.

The presentation then moved into the classroom with Guided Learning in Google Classroom, a tool designed around established learning science principles, including active learning, managing cognitive load and encouraging students to reflect on their understanding. Guided Learning provides curriculum-aligned, step-by-step support without revealing answers directly, while giving teachers access to real-time insights into student progress and potential misconceptions.

Google also shared findings from an eight-week study, reporting that students using Guided Learning achieved progress equivalent to 1.7 years of typical learning progress, with 97% of student messages remaining on-task. These findings highlighted the potential for AI to support deeper engagement and more personalised learning.

The impact of practical AI training was brought to life through Cikgu Amirul Faisal bin Azman, an educator at SK Titian Bintangor in Malaysia. Through Google's AI Educator Series, his school moved beyond simply understanding AI to applying it in everyday teaching. Teachers began using Gemini Canvas and NotebookLM to streamline lesson planning and create interactive learning resources, while students used AI to develop digital storybooks and games. All teachers at the school have since become Gemini Certified.

The session also explored how AI can support learners at different stages of their education. Read Along in Google Classroom, available in Bahasa Melayu, provides young learners with reading assistance and interactive comprehension activities. For older students, Gemini offers no-cost SAT and TOEIC practice tests, providing real-time feedback, identifying areas for improvement and generating personalised flashcards.

To help educators build the confidence to embrace these opportunities, Google highlighted its AI Educator Series, a no-cost training programme offering flexible modules and digital badges to develop practical AI skills.

The overarching message was clear: AI's greatest potential in education lies in empowering people, not replacing them. By combining responsible leadership, confident educators and learning tools grounded in educational research, institutions can create more personalised, inclusive and engaging experiences for every learner.

Audio and written summaries powered by Gemini Notebook, a free generative AI tool grounded in your provided sources. Try Gemini Notebook for free.  You can listen to the audio overview of the session here.