On 13–16 October 2026, the EdTech Hub hosted the IDRC EmpowerED Global Convening in Montevideo, Uruguay, bringing together regional partners to share lessons on educational technology (EdTech) and AI in education. LIRNEasia CEO Helani Galpaya and Senior Research Manager Isuru Samaratunga participated in the convening, where Isuru shared emerging lessons from the EdTech Asia Hub, drawing on five regional country projects. 
On 13–16 October 2026, the EdTech Hub hosted the IDRC EmpowerED Global Convening in Montevideo, Uruguay, bringing together regional partners to share lessons on educational technology (EdTech) and AI in education. LIRNEasia CEO Helani Galpaya and Senior Research Manager Isuru Samaratunga participated in the convening, where Isuru shared emerging lessons from the EdTech Asia Hub, drawing on five regional country projects.
Educational Technology (EdTech) has significant potential to improve educational outcomes and address widening skill gaps across the Global South, with significant investments in the sector being made over the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated growth in the sector, with remote learning related technology being in high demand. EdTech presents a wealth of opportunities to enhance learning outcomes by augmenting traditional teaching methods, offering customized learning tools, and enabling more effective monitoring and evaluation through data-driven insights. The potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize EdTech is vast—its impact is yet to be fully realized. Research shows that the impact of these investments on learning outcomes and education management has been inconsistent at best.
When faced with complex issues, education issues, for example, it is tempting to come up with a hundred and one things one might do to fix. That is a mistake. Unless we identify a few pivotal changes that will lead to positive repercussions across the education sector, we will be lost in detail.