Decorative Image

Key Takeaways:

  • Interoperability is no longer optional, as institutions increasingly require open, connected systems to reduce complexity, support scale, and sustain long-term innovation.

  • AI in education is shifting from experimentation to governance, making clear policies, data boundaries, and oversight essential to responsible and trusted adoption.

  • Digital credentials are becoming a core mechanism for skills-based learning and hiring, enabled by interoperable standards that connect learning experiences to verified workforce outcomes.

2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for education technology. Many of the challenges institutions have been grappling with, including fragmented systems, experimental uses of AI, and misalignment between learning and workforce needs, are converging into clearer priorities and more mature strategies.

Rather than chasing the newest tool or trend, education leaders are increasingly focused on building resilient, interoperable ecosystems that balance innovation with trust, scale, and sustainability to create meaningful impact for learners. Here’s what we’re watching most closely in 2026.

Interoperability: From “Nice to Have” to Non-Negotiable

For years, interoperability has been discussed as a best practice; something institutions should aspire to if time, budget, and technical capacity allowed. In 2026, that mindset is shifting. As the value of Interoperability is more widely recognized, it is increasingly becoming a requirement, not a preference.

A clear signal of this change can be seen in policy developments like the French Interoperability Framework for Digital Services for Education decree. By establishing interoperability expectations at the national level, the decree reinforces the idea that digital education tools must work together seamlessly, support open standards, and avoid locking institutions into isolated, proprietary systems. This approach recognizes interoperability as foundational infrastructure, not an optional enhancement.

We expect to see more governments, systems, and institutions follow this lead. As digital ecosystems grow more complex, the cost of non-interoperable systems becomes impossible to ignore. Disconnected tools create inefficiencies, limit innovation, complicate compliance, and undermine trust. 

The result is a shift in power and accountability. Edtech providers will need to demonstrate real interoperability, not just promise future integrations. Institutions, in turn, will gain greater flexibility, resilience, and long-term sustainability by building ecosystems designed to evolve rather than fragment.

1EdTech Interoperability Resources

  • Procurement and implementation resources and guides can be found on each standard’s webpage. 
  • Certifications can be viewed through the TrustEd Apps Directory or the TrustEd Apps Management Suite (members only resource).
  • Edtech providers who are members of 1EdTech also have access to additional developer resources available on the new Build site, making it easier than ever to adopt 1EdTech specifications.

Artificial Intelligence: From Experimentation to Governance

Artificial intelligence is moving out of the experimental phase and into the core of educational practice. In 2026, one of the most significant questions won’t be whether to use AI, but how and under what conditions.

A central issue will be determining which elements of educational context should be shared with AI systems, what must remain private, and how institutions can enforce those boundaries. As AI becomes more deeply woven into instructional workflows, assessment, and student support, these decisions will directly affect trust, compliance, and learner protection.

We’re watching institutions shift toward comprehensive AI strategies that enable innovation while maintaining strong oversight. These strategies go beyond tool selection; they define governance structures, clarify compliance expectations, and establish evaluation processes to ensure AI adoption aligns with institutional values and legal requirements.

Ultimately, AI in education is evolving from isolated use cases to coordinated, policy-guided ecosystems, where innovation is balanced with responsibility and trust.

1EdTech Generative AI Resources and Community

  • The 1EdTech community developed the Generative AI Best Practices and TrustEd Generative AI Data Privacy Rubric to help guide providers and educators navigate AI decisions and what is best for their individual organizations. An expanded Generative AI rubric is expected to be released in early 2026. 
  • 1EdTech’s strength comes from our members and community. 1EdTech Labs is continuing these important conversations around Generative AI to help inform future work.

Digital Credentials: From Emerging Trend to Workforce Currency

One of the most exciting developments we’re watching in 2026 is the long-anticipated rise of digital credentials and digital competencies. Shifting employer expectations and the growing influence of AI are accelerating the move toward a skills-driven ecosystem.

Institutions are increasingly using AI to support personalized learning pathways that help learners identify skill gaps, develop competencies, and earn verified digital credentials aligned with workforce needs. These pathways create clearer connections between learning experiences and real-world outcomes.

At the same time, digital curriculum strategies are evolving. Curriculum is no longer confined to proprietary platforms; instead, it can be shared across learning environments and stakeholders. This improves sustainability and access while enabling clearer verification of skills across frameworks.

Improved interoperability makes it possible to map and verify competencies across institutions, industries, and credentialing bodies. This strengthens skills-first hiring practices and builds trust throughout the education and workforce ecosystem.

1EdTech Digital Credential Standards: 

Looking Ahead

What ties all of these trends together is a shift toward intentional design. In 2026, success in education technology won’t come from adopting more tools, but from building ecosystems grounded in interoperability, governance, and shared responsibility.

Institutions that treat interoperability as a requirement, not a convenience, and that align AI, data, and credentialing strategies accordingly, will be best positioned to innovate sustainably, earn trust, and deliver meaningful value to learners. These are the signals we’re watching, and they point to a more connected, resilient future for education.

To learn more and get involved in 1EdTech’s work, you can become a member,  contact us with your questions, or join one of our upcoming events: 

We look forward to building what comes next together in 2026.

 

About the Author

Curtiss Barnes, 1EdTech CEO, has more than 30 years of experience in the education industry and expertise in a broad range of enterprise and instructional systems supporting education's core missions. He has held roles at universities, technology start-ups, large enterprise businesses, and courseware and publishing companies.

 

Categories
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Digital Credentials
Global
K-12 / Primary & Secondary
Postsecondary Education
Standards
Technology Providers
Published on 2025-12-30

PUBLISHED ON 2025-12-30

Author

user 192283
Curtiss Barnes
CEO
1EdTech
Read All Blog Entries ⏎