Essential Insights Ahead of ASU+GSV 2026 for Educators and Innovators

The ASU+GSV Summit has evolved into the world's most important and impactful gathering of visionary and innovative leaders from across education and workforce learning. Now in its 16th year, the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is set to welcome over 7,000 attendees to San Diego from April 12 to April 15. Whether you plan to join in person at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California, or follow the sessions remotely, the conversations happening at the ASU+GSV Summit this April will shape the future of how people learn, earn, and flourish for years to come.

The ASU+GSV Summit connects ideas, communities, and capital to accelerate scaled innovations across the education and skills sector. This year's summit arrives at a critical moment, with AI poised to upend the assumptions that have shaped work and opportunity for a century. Innovative leaders transforming education are gathering in San Diego to chart a path forward, and the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is the premier global convening where those plans will take shape.

Here is what every educator and innovator should know about the ASU+GSV Summit 2026.

What Is the ASU+GSV Summit?

The ASU+GSV Summit is the premier global convening for anyone working at the intersection of education, workforce development, and innovation. Co-founded by Arizona State University and Global Silicon Valley (GSV), the summit brings together entrepreneurs, investors, educators, workforce leaders, and policymakers who share a common belief: all people deserve equal access to the future.

That belief drives every aspect of the ASU+GSV Summit. From PreK to Gray learning, the sessions and conversations center on achieving equitable access to education and opportunity at scale. The summit is grounded in the belief that scaled innovations across PreK to Gray learning are critical to achieving a future in which all people deserve equal access to the future. It is a space where innovative leaders transforming schools, departments, and entire systems come together to talk about what is working and what must change. At its center, the ASU+GSV Summit is about ensuring access to the future for every learner.

Representatives from 65 countries join the summit each year, making the ASU_GSV Summit one of the most globally diverse education events on the calendar. The event has grown into the premier global convening for the $8 trillion education and skills sector, bringing together the innovative leaders transforming how schools, employers, and institutions approach PreK to Gray learning and Gray workforce development across every stage of life. As the premier global convening, the summit is at the center of global conversations about education from PreK to Gray.

ASU+GSV Summit 2026 Theme: The Power of Fusion

The theme of the 2026 ASU+GSV Summit is "The Power of Fusion," focusing on the intersection of AI, education, and workforce development. This theme captures a critical reality: AI is transforming the landscape of education and the jobs market, and the innovative leaders who join this summit are at the center of shaping what comes next.

This year's programming integrates The Show directly into the main ASU+GSV Summit for the first time, bringing expanded AI-focused sessions, hands-on workshops, product demonstrations, and keynote presentations into the core schedule. The result is a summit where AI runs through every conversation, from early childhood literacy to higher education strategy to workforce reskilling in schools and learning centers across the country.

Employers, educators, and policymakers must take practical steps now to ensure AI serves the common good. The future of work requires bold ideas and worker-centered leadership, and the ASU+GSV Summit is the impactful gathering where those ideas will be tested and refined by innovative leaders transforming education and the broader skills sector.

Key Sessions and Themes at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026

Technology in Education and Workforce Pathways

Discussions at the ASU+GSV Summit focus on the intersection of AI, education, and workforce pathways. Key sessions include "What's Next for Educators? AI Copilots to Agents and Beyond" on Tuesday, April 14, in Coronado B, and "Designing the AI-Enabled Frontline: Human and Machine at Work" on Tuesday in Coronado D. These sessions examine what human-to-AI team structures look like and the roles of department leaders in this context.

Technology can create better jobs and work opportunities for more people if harnessed correctly. The summit will focus on enhancing human intelligence through AI and integrating new tools into educational systems, with sessions exploring the transition to AI-enabled personalization in schools and learning centers, and the importance of durable skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. For innovators building in this space, the interactive conversation format pushes attendees to grapple with the real tradeoffs of AI adoption in schools and across the workforce.

Workforce Development and the Future of Jobs

The session "Code Red: Building a New Future of Work for Workers in the Era of AI," hosted by Jobs for the Future on Tuesday, April 14, brings leaders together to address a critical question: how do we ensure new power dynamics do not leave employees behind? Jobs for the Future has been a leading voice in this conversation, and the session will address how capital, policy, and education intersect to shape jobs for the next generation.

Another key session, "From Silos to Systems: How States Are Reuniting Education and Workforce," takes place on Sunday, April 13. Sessions like these emphasize skills-based credentialing and career-connected learning pathways, reflecting a broad ranging conversation about how schools, employers, and government departments can build workforce systems that serve employees and communities across the skills sector.

The ASU+GSV Summit convenes leaders from various sectors to explore innovative solutions. The future of jobs in an AI-driven economy is one of the most critical topics at the summit, and the summit is the impactful gathering where innovative leaders transforming schools and systems shape policy and practice. Whether you are a CEO of a major education company, a department head at a learning center, or a founder of an early-stage startup, these sessions on jobs deserve your attention.

Equity, Access, and Scaled Innovation

A recurring thread at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is the belief that achieving equal access to the future demands scaled innovations across every level of education. From PreK to Gray learning in schools and community learning centers, sessions explore how research, emerging technology, and authentic human connection are shaping the future of education in ways that expand opportunity rather than create new divides. At its center, this conversation is about ensuring all people deserve equal access to the future of jobs, learning, and economic participation.

The mission of the ASU+GSV Summit is that all people deserve equal access to the future. Discussions will address the challenges of enrollment volatility, affordability, and academic integrity in higher education, alongside efforts to ensure that schools serving younger learners are equipped with the tools and capital they need. The Women Conversation Series highlights how women leaders are driving scaled innovations in education and the skills sector, with sessions throughout April on the main stage.

This is a summit where innovative leaders join investors, policymakers, and the broader community to accelerate achieving scaled innovations that reach every learner. From PreK through Gray learning programs that support lifelong education, the goal is ensuring all people deserve equal access to the future of jobs, schools, and opportunity.

The Shifting EdTech Investment Landscape

For entrepreneurs and investors, the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 features substantial programming on the business side of the education and skills sector. Topics include scaling, acquisition readiness, the role of frontier labs entering edtech, shifts in private equity and venture capital, and the growing importance of philanthropic capital in funding education innovation.

The GSV Cup, the summit's flagship startup competition, continues to spotlight emerging companies. The GSV Cup Demo Day on Tuesday, April 14, in Coronado D, is a must for anyone tracking what is next in the skills sector. The event connects ideas, communities, and capital to transform the education sector. For a CEO, founder, or president of an education organization, this is where you discover the companies creating the future of PreK to Gray learning.

The ASU+GSV Summit 2026 Schedule: Day by Day

The ASU+GSV Summit 2026 takes place from April 12 to April 15, 2026, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, California. The summit will feature over 200 sessions and is expected to attract 7,000 attendees. Here is what to expect each day.

Sunday, April 12: Opening Ceremonies in San Diego

The summit kicks off on Sunday, April 12, with Opening Ceremonies and a reception at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Badge pickup opens at noon, and the opening reception runs from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This sets the tone for the sessions and receptions that follow. Attendees can begin to join conversations with fellow leaders from across the education and skills sector in San Diego.

Monday, April 13: Full Sessions Begin

Monday, April 13, brings the first full day of sessions across multiple programming stages at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Innovative School Tours run in the morning, with sessions running from 10:00 AM through the afternoon. The session "From Silos to Systems" takes place on Monday. The Opening Keynote Reception and dinner round out the evening, giving attendees a chance to join educators, policymakers, and department leaders from schools and learning centers across the country.

Tuesday, April 14: GSV Cup Demo Day and Deep Dives

Tuesday, April 14, is the most content-dense day at the ASU+GSV Summit. Sessions run in rooms across the Manchester Grand Hyatt, including Coronado B and Coronado D. Key sessions on Tuesday include "Code Red: Building a New Future of Work for Workers," "The State of Special Education: Wins, Worries, and What's Ahead," and "What's Next for Educators?" OpenAI and Owl Ventures are hosting a reception on Tuesday. Receptions and networking events throughout the day provide additional opportunities to join conversations with the summit community in San Diego.

Wednesday, April 15: Closing Celebration

The final day of the ASU+GSV Summit 2026, Wednesday, April 15, features morning sessions at the Manchester Grand Hyatt and then moves to the Closing Celebration at the iconic Rady Shell in San Diego. The evening includes the GSV Cup Finale and Lifetime Achievement Awards. It is a powerful close to an impactful gathering of the leaders shaping the future of education and workforce learning.

Registration and Practical Details for the ASU+GSV Summit 2026

Ready to register and join the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in San Diego? Here is what you need to know.

Attendee registration for the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is available for professionals including investors, workforce leaders, and industry leaders. The current rate for attendee registration is $4,550. Entrepreneur registration for early-stage EdTechs starts at $2,100, and NFP/Educator registration is available for employees of not-for-profit organizations or educational institutions starting at $1,900. Press registration is available for accredited journalists covering the summit.

All registrations for the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 are non-refundable, but can be transferred for a $75 fee. Attendees must wear their summit badges at all times to access the campus and events at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. For questions, contact the ASU+GSV Summit team through the official summit website. You can also contact exhibitors and partners directly to schedule meetings during the summit, or contact the registration center with questions about pricing and access. To register and join, visit asugsvsummit.com.

The summit takes place near the La Jolla area and the San Diego waterfront, with receptions and events at venues across San Diego. Plan your travel to arrive by Sunday, April 12. Contact the Manchester Grand Hyatt directly for hotel accommodations in the center of the San Diego convention district.

Bridging Physical and Digital Learning: A Critical Challenge

One of the most persistent themes across ASU+GSV Summit sessions is the challenge of creating seamless learning experiences across physical and digital environments. The summit highlights the belief that scaled innovations across PreK to Gray learning must include tools that serve learners regardless of location. From PreK to Gray, schools and institutions need platforms that bring everyone into the same learning experience.

This is where the concept of "phygital" learning is gaining traction among leaders in education. Rather than treating in-person and online learning as separate tracks, phygital approaches integrate them so that every participant has equal access to the same quality of interaction, content, and support.

Platforms built around this idea are emerging across the skills sector. One example is HybriU, developed by Ambow Education, which bridges physical and digital learning environments. The platform includes real-time transcription that converts instructor speech into structured, searchable notes delivered in each learner's preferred language, along with annotation tools and adaptive teaching dashboards that give instructors moment-to-moment insight into student comprehension.

What makes this approach notable is the focus on active engagement rather than passive content delivery. Features like real-time engagement analytics and confusion alerts help instructors adjust their teaching in the moment, supporting the kind of scaled innovations in education that the ASU+GSV Summit community champions.

Notable Speakers and Partners at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026

Key speakers at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 include Reed Hastings, Goldie Hawn, and will.i.am, who announced a new power partnership with ASU. Past summit speakers have included President Barack Obama, Priscilla Chan, and Laurene Powell Jobs. The roster also features leaders like Gina Raimondo (former Secretary of Commerce), Arne Duncan, and Rahm Emanuel, alongside CEO and president level leaders from major education companies.

Major partners and exhibitors include Google Cloud, Meta, Intel, Renaissance Learning, and Curriculum Associates, alongside over 140 additional edtech companies and education organizations. The summit features hundreds of sessions and activations designed to foster collaboration among the leaders shaping education, schools, and the broader skills sector.

Experience HybriU in Person: Ambow Education Open House in San Diego

If you plan to join the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in San Diego, Ambow Education is hosting an open house from April 13 through 16 at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design (600 B St, Suite 800, San Diego, California). Running daily from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM PST, the event features live demonstrations of the HybriU platform, including its immersive 3D capabilities, real-time collaborative workflows, and interactive tools for education and corporate settings.

Dr. Jin Huang, CEO and Chair of the Board, and James Bartholomew, President of Ambow Education, will be available to discuss how the platform is deployed across education, corporate collaboration, and live events. The open house is an opportunity to see how phygital learning works in practice and learn from the team building it.

Both in-person and virtual attendance options are available, with limited space for in-person demonstrations. Register and schedule your visit here. Contact the Ambow team through the registration page for questions or to schedule a private demo.

Networking Opportunities at the ASU+GSV Summit 2026

The ASU+GSV Summit is known for facilitating meaningful connections among leaders across the education and workforce sectors. Networking at the summit includes receptions, sessions, interactive conversation panels, and informal meetups across the Manchester Grand Hyatt campus in San Diego.

Attendees can join conversations with educators, investors, founders, CEO and president level executives, department heads, and policymakers shaping the future of schools, jobs, and learning systems. Whether you are looking to contact a potential partner, join an interactive conversation grappling with challenges in your sector, or simply learn from the community, the ASU+GSV Summit is the premier global convening for those looking to shape the future of PreK to Gray learning in San Diego and beyond.

The summit also hosts the Power of Women honorees, Innovators of Color recognition, and other programs that center diverse voices. These events draw leaders from across the life span of education, from PreK to Gray learning, and create space for the next generation of innovative leaders transforming schools and the broader education sector. Contact fellow attendees through the summit app, or join receptions to make introductions in person at the center of the San Diego campus.

Key Takeaways for Educators and Innovators

Whether you plan to join the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in San Diego or follow the summit from a distance, several themes stand out.

AI integration requires intentionality. The sessions at ASU+GSV make clear that simply adding new tools to existing systems is not enough. Educators and builders need to think carefully about when AI deepens learning and when it shortcuts the critical thinking students need to develop.

Phygital learning is a growing category. The blending of physical and digital learning environments is moving from concept to practical implementation. Platforms that enable seamless, equitable experiences across both settings are achieving scaled innovations that expand access for learners in schools everywhere.

The mission remains equity. Across sessions on AI, capital, institutional strategy, and jobs, the ASU+GSV community returns to a fundamental belief: all people deserve equal access to the future. The most compelling innovations at the summit expand access to the future of education and opportunity for the next generation.

The education and skills sector is maturing. With major technology companies and growing pools of capital focused on education, the sector is entering a new phase. For entrepreneurs, investors, and the employees building these products, the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is the impactful gathering where you join the leaders and partners shaping the future of PreK to Gray learning at the center of the global education community in San Diego.

Looking Ahead from the ASU+GSV Summit 2026

The ASU+GSV Summit 2026 arrives at a moment when technology is creating possibilities that were theoretical just two years ago. The conversations happening at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego this April will help determine whether those possibilities translate into meaningful progress for learners everywhere. As the premier global convening for the education and skills sector, the summit brings together the innovative leaders transforming schools, workforce systems, and the life trajectories of the next generation.

For educators looking to stay ahead, for innovators seeking to build tools that matter, and for leaders navigating critical decisions about AI adoption in schools, the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 is essential. Register to join and be part of the impactful gathering that is achieving equal access to the future of education across every stage of life. All people deserve equal access to the future, and this summit is at the center of ushering in a new era for education and the skills sector.

Ambow Education will be showcasing the HybriU platform at their open house during the ASU+GSV Summit 2026 in San Diego. Register for the open house to experience the future of phygital learning firsthand. Contact the team to schedule your visit.