In the eleventh episode of the Digital in India Podcast, Dave Treat, Chief Technology Officer at Pearson, reflects on how digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping global education. In a conversation with Mohd Ujaley, Editorial Director at Tech Observer Magazine, Treat offers a measured view of how education is evolving, and what might lie ahead.
Trained in computer science and steeped in two decades of financial services work, Treat brings a background more common in banking than in education. Yet the shift to Pearson, he says, was not as incongruous as it might seem. At its core, both industries are grappling with legacy infrastructure, shifting expectations and pressure to innovate responsibly.
Much of the discussion centres on how artificial intelligence is being applied within Pearson and across the education sector more broadly. Unlike the heavily regulated pace of adoption seen in financial institutions, Treat suggests that education is moving more quickly, often driven by urgency as much as opportunity. He is cautious, however, about overpromising what AI can deliver. Its most effective role, he argues, may be in reducing administrative burden rather than in direct teaching.
“There is a misconception that AI will replace teachers. In reality, its value lies in freeing up their time,” he says. Tasks like grading, planning or scheduling could be supported by automation, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: connecting with students and adapting to their needs in real time.
The conversation also explores a growing shift in how people think about learning. Rather than front-loading education in early life, Treat discusses the “Learn to Earn” model, which encourages continuous, modular learning throughout one’s working years. As industries transform, workers will need to re-skill more frequently, placing greater demands on systems that are currently still designed for one-time degrees.
India features prominently in the discussion, not only as a large market for educational content, but also as a key contributor to Pearson’s research and development strategy. Treat credits Indian engineers and data scientists for driving much of the company’s recent work in AI and platform design. He notes that product teams based in India are increasingly shaping tools used by learners worldwide.
Security and data integrity are also raised as concerns, particularly as digital learning grows. One long-term challenge, Treat warns, is the threat posed by quantum computing to existing encryption standards. While still in its early days, quantum technology could in future undermine the security of credentials and academic records. For education companies, he suggests, the time to prepare is now.
The episode closes with a reflection on Pearson’s collaboration with startups, which Treat believes play an important role in keeping older institutions responsive. Legacy organisations, he argues, often benefit from the outside pressure that smaller, more agile firms can provide. These partnerships, he says, help challenge assumptions and introduce new ideas that might not emerge internally.
