From Static Learning Platforms to Thinking Educational Systems: How Google Cloud NEXT ’26 Is Reshaping EdTech

This is a submission for the Google Cloud NEXT Writing Challenge «Traditional educational platforms deliver content. The next generation of platforms will understand students.» For years, educational technology focused mainly on accessibility: uploading courses, streaming lessons, and managing assignments. But after the announcements at Google Cloud NEXT '26, it became clear that the future of EdTech is no longer just about delivering information — it is about building intelligent systems capabl