At the heart of London this January, the global education technology community gathered for Bett 2026, and one of the biggest stories to emerge was from Google for Education. The company used the event to showcase a wide range of new tools and features designed to support teachers, uplift students, and help schools navigate the future of learning with artificial intelligence and digital tools that are easy to use and built for real classroom needs.
Many educators in attendance spoke about the blend of technology and a deep understanding of how learners grow and develop. Google framed its announcements around two key ideas: the art of teaching and the science of learning. Educators inspire curiosity and nurture human connections, while evidence-based teaching practices enhance the effectiveness of learning. The announcements at Bett brought both elements together with solutions that support every step of the learning journey.
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New AI Tools Designed for Real Classroom Impact
One of the most talked about developments from Google at Bett 2026 was the expanded role of Gemini artificial intelligence across Google for Education tools. Gemini has been integrated into Workspace, Classroom and Chrome to help teachers save time and give students personalised support that responds to their learning needs. Educators and students will now access advanced AI inside familiar Google apps without paying extra for these capabilities.
Students preparing for tests like the SAT will benefit from full-length practice tests available through Gemini, with high-quality content that mirrors real exam standards. The AI will also help with lesson planning, generating infographics, drafting assignments and summarising class discussions. Teachers can engage NotebookLM resources inside Gemini, turning lesson materials and notes into organised content that enhances planning and instruction.
The Google Classroom experience is also getting a major upgrade. Classrooms will feature an improved homepage with engagement metrics, tools to record audio and video for student feedback, and the ability to tag lessons with global learning standards that support more precise tracking of student progress. These updates are part of a broader move to make assessment practices more insightful and interactive for both teachers and learners.
In addition, Google announced that schools using Moodle will soon see Gemini-powered tools inside the learning management system, making it easier to tailor learning paths and manage content from a single platform.
Tools That Strengthen Collaboration and Engagement
Beyond software upgrades, Google introduced new ChromeOS tools for classroom collaboration that encourage participation and deepen engagement. Teachers will soon be able to use a brand-new display app that works with Class tools, enabling screen sharing from any Chromebook to a central classroom display, so that students and teachers can interact more fluidly. Screen annotations will help highlight key ideas during lessons and make explanations clearer in real time.
Chromebook Plus devices are central to this vision of a more connected classroom. These devices include advanced AI features like Text Capture, which helps extract information from images and documents, and tools that generate visuals and content for learning resources. Schools can also add new Chromebox devices that turn ordinary classroom displays into fully functional ChromeOS systems that work with every connected device.
A suite of productivity enhancements through Gemini in Chrome means students and teachers can get instant insights and summaries from readings, videos and web pages without having to switch applications. This helps keep the workflow smooth and reduces disruption during lessons.
Partnerships and Safety Features That Matter
Recognising that technology must be trustworthy as well as powerful, Google also highlighted new features to help schools stay safe online. Organisations can now access ransomware detection tools and detailed admin controls, giving IT leaders more confidence in protecting school data. Educators and learners can also use tools that help verify whether media was created or edited with AI.
A major announcement at Bett was a strategic partnership with Khan Academy, one of the world’s most respected educational nonprofits. Together, Google and Khan Academy will build AI-powered tools that support literacy and reading skills. Beginning with the Writing Coach tool, Gemini will help students plan, draft and improve their written work with contextual guidance rather than just giving answers. A Reading Coach tool will follow later in the year to support comprehension for a wider range of learners.
The collaboration extends to Schoolhouse World, a peer tutoring platform, where Gemini will provide coaching to tutors after sessions and offer practice simulations that help tutors refine their approach before working with real learners. The goal of this partnership is to ensure AI enhances human-to-human learning and doesn’t replace the essential role of educators.
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