EdTech: How can we empower future generations?

Aman Merchant (Serial Entrepreneur; Chief Provocateur at Radicle; General Partner at ReimaginED Collective) is a futurist at heart, with three decades of experience across education, social impact, and innovation. 

An expert in the art of collaboration, he’s a leader in global education transformation. As Founder of the ReimaginED Collective, Aman is focused on creating the MENA region’s first ecosystem builder for the future of learning; bringing founders and investors together to solve global challenges in education. 

Before he came to Riyadh to share his vision at LEAP 2025, we caught up with him to find out why EdTech and collaborative communities are critical to our collective future. 

What are your most important goals? Or to put it another way, what do you hope to be remembered for?

“I aim to reimagine how we learn, work, and thrive – bridging education, innovation, and impact to create radically better futures. My focus is on systemic change, not just incremental improvements, and we can do this by integrating technology, AI, and new economic models into education. 

“Beyond building ventures, I’m committed to driving more philanthropic capital toward educational transformation – to make sure that learning isn’t just about skills for today, but about shaping the leaders and problem-solvers of tomorrow. If I’m remembered for anything, it should be for catalysing ecosystems that empower future generations to build the future, not just inherit it.” 

What sparked your interest in EdTech?

“EdTech isn’t just about digital tools – it’s about advancing human potential in an AI-driven world. My journey started at the intersection of technology, impact, and entrepreneurship, but I quickly realised that the real challenge isn’t just access to education – it’s ensuring that learning is relevant, adaptive, and future-proof. Today, we are redefining EdTech itself, moving beyond classrooms and content toward lifelong, AI-augmented learning ecosystems that prepare individuals to thrive in an unpredictable world.”

How do you think EdTech innovations could impact opportunities and economies in the MENA region, and why is it important to facilitate growth for local startups here?

“MENA’s greatest untapped resource isn’t oil – it’s human intelligence. AI is rewriting the rules of employment, and EdTech is now the backbone of economic transformation. By equipping individuals with adaptive skills and AI fluency, we’re not just preparing for jobs of the future; we’re creating them. 

“Local startups are vital because they understand the region’s unique workforce needs and can build solutions that align with our cultural, economic, and demographic realities. Their success isn’t just about startup growth. It’s about MENA’s position in the global knowledge economy.” 

Right now, how does EdTech development and adoption in the MENA region compare to other regions around the world?

“MENA is still in its EdTech adolescence: full of potential but fragmented. While regions like the US and China focus on scale, MENA has a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional models by embedding AI, automation, and lifelong learning into the fabric of work and society. 

The challenge? Moving beyond siloed education initiatives and toward a systems-level approach that integrates education, employment, and economic policy. The real question isn’t just how we catch up, but how we lead the transformation of learning in the AI age.”

How are you leveraging LEAP as a platform to accelerate the impact of ReimaginED Collective?

“I’ve attended LEAP for the past three years, and I see it as a catalyst for collective intelligence – bringing together innovators, investors, and changemakers to rethink learning, work, and economic empowerment. 

“With ReimaginED Collective, we’re building more than an EdTech ecosystem; we’re fostering a movement for systemic change, where AI, impact-driven investment, and entrepreneurship converge to shape the future of education and employment in MENA. Our goal is to drive regional and global impact, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by ensuring inclusive, equitable, and future-ready learning models.

“Beyond technology, this is about nurturing a new generation of leaders – bold, purpose-driven, and equipped to navigate an era where AI is disrupting industries, redefining skills, and reshaping economies. EdTech is no longer just about education. It’s about empowering human potential at scale. At LEAP, I’m able to engage with policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs in deeper dialogue on how we can collectively accelerate this transformation.” 

Thanks to Aman Merchant at ReimaginED Collective.