This week in Education & Learning, major advancements in agentic AI are reshaping how students and educators interact with technology. The University of Michigan launched a Virtual Teaching Assistant powered by Google's Gemini models, offering 24/7 support and personalized learning paths while fostering critical thinking by guiding students to solutions rather than giving answers. At the ASU-GSV Summit, ed-tech company Element451 showcased AI agents that address student needs like mental health support and financial aid navigation, highlighting their potential to reduce wait times and improve efficiency.

Clarivate announced an expansion of its academic AI platform, introducing agentic AI tools for research and learning workflows starting in April 2025. Meanwhile, industry analysts predict 2025 will be remembered for the rise of AI agents capable of reasoning and adapting like humans, with applications ranging from course management to personalized interventions.

Globally, institutions are balancing innovation with ethical considerations. Experts emphasize preserving human connections in education while using AI to handle administrative tasks. Early pilot programs, like Michigan's Virtual TA, report increased student engagement and deeper insights into learning patterns.