2026 Predictions for AI and Ed Tech: What Industry Leaders Are SayingKey Takeaways AI is expected to move from experimentation to embedded infrastructure in higher education by 2026: Industry leaders said AI will be integrated across admissions, advising, student services, learning, accessibility, administration, and workforce preparation, rather than used primarily as standalone tools or pilots. In an open call last month, we asked education-serving industry leaders to weigh in on how developments in AI and ed tech will impact colleges and universities in the coming year. AI Will Impact Enrollment, Accessibility, Student Support, and More"In 2026, forward-thinking colleges and universities will make the data they already have work better for them, and for their students. — Steve Tapp, CEO, ACT"By 2026, AI will begin to move out of the margins of higher education, and the first examples of what the next 'operating model' for AI in higher ed will look like. Early adopters will illustrate how AI systems that connect learning to labor market data, employer expectations, and career pathways can strengthen student success and institutional relevance.