Bett 2026: The Moment Education Technology Had to Prove Itself

Beyond the packed halls, product launches and policy debates, what did Bett 2026 reveal about the future of education technology? 

Now available as a free download, Futuresource Consulting’s Bett 2026 post-show report uncovers a sector under pressure to prioritise, prove value and deliver positive impact. As Bett’s official research partner, with 11 analysts across the show floor and conference programme, Futuresource has distilled three days at London’s ExCeL into an expert examination of the themes, technologies and market dynamics shaping education in 2026 and beyond.

“If Bett has traditionally been about what’s possible, Bett 2026 was about what’s justifiable,” says Melanie Tagg, Principal Analyst and Head of Education at Futuresource Consulting. “. With budgets stretched and staff under pressure, education leaders are no longer asking what technology can do, they’re asking what its impact is. And they are far less patient with solutions that can’t demonstrate value, outcomes and long-term sustainability.”

Learning without limits meets real-world delivery

The official theme of Bett 2026, Learning Without Limits, ran throughout the agenda and the exhibition halls, closely tied to AI, inclusion, accessibility and future skills. While artificial intelligence remained a dominant presence, Futuresource’s analysis highlights a more practical tone than in previous years.

AI tools were increasingly positioned as enablers of personalised learning, workflow automation and safeguarding, rather than headline-grabbing novelties. Across sessions and demonstrations, emphasis was placed on AI literacy, ethics and governance, alongside the need to preserve the human core of education.
In parallel, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) took on unprecedented visibility, with the introduction of a dedicated SEND village and theatre. Solutions spanning esports, gamification, adaptive hardware and AI-driven support showcased how technology can help break down barriers to learning, when deployed with inclusivity at the forefront.

A market under the microscope

While optimism was evident, Futuresource’s report also reflects the realities facing the sector. With up to 90% of school IT budgets absorbed by core infrastructure, discretionary spend is limited. As a result, Bett 2026 was defined by growing scrutiny of ROI, utilisation and impact. Hardware innovation continued, yet messaging increasingly centred on usability, pricing and longevity. Across the board, vendors faced a common challenge of proving why their solutions deserve priority.

“Bett 2026 highlighted a maturing market,” says Claire Kerrison, Principal Consultant at Futuresource Consulting, “one where prioritisation, optimisation and demonstrable impact now define success. As financial and operational pressures grow, education leaders are becoming more selective about where they invest time, budget and resources. For vendors, visibility is no longer enough - the challenge is to clearly demonstrate why their solution should rise above the surging tide of competitors.”
What’s in the Futuresource Bett 2026 Post Show Report?

The free report connects on-the-ground observations with Futuresource’s wider market research, highlighting commercial opportunities, potential frictions and the routes to transformation. 

Key areas include:

•    AI and the future of learning
•    Policy, governance and curriculum reform 
•    Future skilling and employability 
•    SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) 
•    The Bett Global Showcase 
•    Higher Education – HE Campus
•    Funding pressures 
•    Hybrid teaching spaces
•    Esports and gamification 
•    Cybersecurity and safeguarding 
•    Management solutions and tools 
•    Robotics and STEM 
•    Resellers, distributors and device strategies 
•    PC hardware and key OEM activity 
•    Displays and projection technology
•    Sustainability in practice 

“For anyone who attended Bett, this report gives context to what they saw,” says Tagg. “And for those who couldn’t be there, it delivers a grounded, strategic view of where education technology is heading.”

The Futuresource Bett 2026 Post Show Report is available now as a free download, offering essential insight for educators, vendors, policymakers and investors navigating the rapidly evolving sphere of education.

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About Futuresource Consulting
Futuresource Consulting provides the insights that power the world’s leading technology and media companies. For more than 30 years, the firm has combined rigorous data, sector expertise and a forward-looking view of market change. Its syndicated research, consulting services and industry partnerships span consumer electronics, entertainment, Pro AV, education and emerging technologies.

Press contact:
Nicola Finn, Head of Marketing and Communications, Futuresource Consulting