French EdTech: between pedagogical promise and the challenge of inclusion — what future for digital education?

EdTech gems… but a fragmented reality

Education is undergoing a profound transformation, and the French EdTech ecosystem has never been more dynamic. The recent article published by Bpifrance, highlighting seven promising young startups, perfectly illustrates this momentum. From apps like Plume, which sparks children’s creative writing, to Nomad Education, which supports mobile revision, not to mention Klassroom and SchoolMouv — all these initiatives respond to the same fundamental need: to align learning with contemporary uses and challenges.

Yet this effervescence conceals a more complex reality. While these initiatives are numerous, they remain too often fragmented and unevenly integrated into the daily lives of students and teachers. However relevant, innovation alone is not enough to cross the threshold of the classroom. Access to these tools, teachers’ adoption of them, and their real impact on student success vary greatly depending on local contexts — from territory to institution, from human to material resources.

This observation in no way undermines the remarkable achievements of these players. But it does remind us that educational innovation, however brilliant, only makes sense when embedded in a systemic vision. It is precisely this articulation — between technological innovation, pedagogical transformation, and social equity — that now lies at the heart of the EdTech challenge in France.

An innovation dynamic in need of structure

Perhaps the most striking trend in recent years is the rise of so-called adaptive technologies. Thanks to artificial intelligence, some platforms can now identify students’ learning obstacles, propose targeted exercises, or automatically adjust to their pace. This kind of personalization is no longer a dream, but a technical reality. It opens up exciting possibilities, particularly in tackling school dropout and supporting students with special needs.

But such technological sophistication only becomes truly effective when embedded in a clear pedagogical framework. Tools, however advanced, are not meant to replace teachers or to standardize learning. On the contrary, they should enrich educational practices, create new modes of interaction, and strengthen the relationship between all educational stakeholders — teachers, learners, and families alike.

Moreover, EdTech can no longer be seen as a simple digital extension of the classroom. It is part of a broader redefinition of learning times and spaces. Through mobile usage, asynchronous formats, and micro-learning, it fosters a more fluid, continuous education that extends beyond the traditional school environment. This represents an opportunity — but also a risk: the risk of widening the gap between those who have access to tools, cultural codes, and family support… and those who do not.

The promise of inclusive digital education is still far from being realized. Today, access inequalities persist, both in terms of infrastructure and digital capital. The mere existence of a tool does not guarantee its appropriate use or its pedagogical effectiveness. If EdTech is to become a true lever for democratization, it must be designed from the outset to be accessible, guided, and context-aware.

Three scenarios for 2030: where is French EdTech headed?

Within this complex landscape, several futures are still possible for French EdTech.

In an optimistic scenario, digital tools are fully integrated into learning journeys, both in and out of school. Teachers are trained, infrastructures are in place, and educational platforms deliver personalized, evidence-based, and universally accessible content. The French ecosystem emerges as a global model of pedagogical innovation. EdTech plays an active role in reducing educational inequalities while boosting collective skill development.

A more realistic scenario would see contrasting dynamics coexisting. Some schools and regions succeed in fully leveraging available innovations, thanks to strong local partnerships or public–private collaborations. Others struggle to follow, due to limited resources, insufficient training, or unclear leadership. EdTech becomes a useful but unevenly distributed complement, paradoxically reinforcing the very gaps it aims to bridge.

Lastly, a more constrained — and more pessimistic — scenario cannot be ruled out. In this case, initial enthusiasm fades in the face of disappointing results, an overload of under-evaluated tools, or widespread digital fatigue. Lack of teacher support, an oversaturated market, and hesitant political direction could turn EdTech into a broken promise, or worse, a source of confusion for educators and families alike.

Five levers for useful, fair and sustainable EdTech

To avoid falling into this trap, several levers must be activated.

The first, and most essential, is teacher training. It’s not just about learning to use digital platforms, but about developing a real digital pedagogy — one that integrates tools into a coherent educational approach.

The second lever is regulation. Public authorities must support innovation without stifling it, while establishing clear ethical, technical, and pedagogical standards — including data protection, algorithmic transparency, and rigorous impact evaluation.

The third lever involves collaboration. Too often, startups operate in silos, disconnected from educators or researchers. Encouraging real-world experimentation, co-designed with teachers, is key to ensuring relevance and effectiveness.

Fourth, economic sustainability must be addressed. Freemium models quickly reach their limits, and reliance on public grants can make projects fragile. Hybrid models — supported by public investment but capable of standing the test of time — must be developed.

Lastly, a fifth and fundamental lever: inclusive design from the start. Too many solutions are still conceived with privileged contexts in mind. It’s time to reverse the approach: begin by designing for those furthest from school, digital tools, or both. That’s where innovation will have the greatest impact.

Conclusion: framing EdTech as an educational common good

EdTech is not a passing trend or a gadget. It is a structural movement that is already reshaping how we teach, learn, and transmit knowledge. But for it to fulfill its mission, it must move beyond a purely technological logic.

Its future will depend less on its algorithmic power than on our collective ability to shape it as a true educational common good — one that serves a more just, open, and adaptive school system, equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.