Key Insights
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) slashed $881M in education research funding, shutting down the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
Big Tech (Google, Duolingo, Khan Academy) will now shape AI-powered education—with zero public oversight.
Private research firms will replace IES studies, turning education insights into paywalled products.
For-profit credentialing (Google Career Certificates, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning) will control ROI narratives, with no independent data to challenge them.
Why It Matters
Without IES, nation-wide public education research is gone. Policymakers, schools, and students will lose access to independent data, while corporations dictate what gets studied and who benefits.
The shift from public to private research means less transparency—and more profit-driven decision-making.
Recommended Actions
School districts must scrutinize vendor-led research before adopting new edtech solutions.
Policymakers need to push for alternative, publicly accessible research sources.
Higher Ed institutions should invest in their own data tracking to avoid reliance on corporate narratives.
📩 Is this the free market at work—or a disaster? Reply and let us know.
Next week we’ll write about the losers from the IES Shutdown.
Key Insights
The global talent shortage could cost G20 economies $11.5 trillion in lost GDP by 2030. In the U.S. alone, the skills gap may result in $8.5 trillion in economic losses.
Industries most affected: Technology, Engineering & Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Sales & Marketing, where AI and automation are driving demand for new skills.
The workforce needs professionals with deep technical expertise (hard skills) and broad adaptability (soft skills).
Biggest skill gaps: AI, data science, cybersecurity, and process optimization, combined with adaptability, problem-solving, and communication.
Opportunities for training providers: The U.S., Japan, and India stand out as high-growth markets for upskilling programs in AI, business English, and digital literacy.
Why It Matters
As AI and automation transform industries, the gap between job requirements and workforce skills is widening.
Without strategic upskilling, businesses risk falling behind, and workers face job displacement.
Recommended Actions
Training providers should expand offerings in AI, data science, and digital literacy to meet rising demand.
Employers must integrate continuous learning initiatives to future-proof their workforce.
Governments & policymakers should invest in large-scale upskilling programs to mitigate economic losses.
📩 Are businesses moving fast enough to close the talent gap, or will automation leave workers behind? What do you think?