Inside Gen Alpha’s Digital Future

AppsAnywhere CEO Nick Johnson on what the next wave of students means for software access, IT strategy and digital readiness in higher education.

INTERVIEW | by Victor Rivero

Nick Johnson is the CEO and Co-Founder of AppsAnywhere, a global edtech company redefining how students access and use software in higher education. Since founding the company in 2009, he’s grown it from a startup into a worldwide platform supporting more than 300 institutions and over three million students every day. Based between the U.K. and U.S., Nick has met with hundreds of colleges and universities around the world—all with a singular goal: making digital access simpler, more equitable, and ready for the next generation of learners. In this conversation with EdTech Digest, Nick discusses what Generation Alpha means for higher education’s digital future, from software access and IT strategy to equity, wellbeing, and the evolving student experience.

AppsAnywhere recently released new research on Generation Alpha. Why did you commission this study?

We wanted to help higher education leaders see what’s coming before it’s on their doorstep. Generation Alpha — students born after 2010 — will start arriving on campuses around 2028. They’re the first group of learners who grew up surrounded by AI, cloud computing and instant access to information.

For colleges and universities, this is both exciting and disruptive. Institutions have spent the last decade adapting to digital transformation, but this generation is arriving with expectations that go far beyond online classes or single sign-on systems. They expect technology to be seamless, equitable and ready the moment they need it.

What stood out most to you about their expectations?

Two things jumped out. First, their relationship with AI. Seventy-three percent of Gen Alpha students already use or plan to use AI, and 40% say they rely on ChatGPT to study. They see AI as a natural extension of learning — not a shortcut or a threat. That means higher education has to rethink how it supports responsible AI use, critical thinking and data literacy.

Second, their expectation of flexibility. More than 56% prefer a hybrid model that blends online and in-person experiences, and only 14% want a fully campus-based education. They move between devices and environments constantly, and they expect their academic tools to follow them wherever they go.

That level of mobility sounds like a big challenge for IT teams.

It’s massive. Colleges already struggle to provide consistent access to academic software across labs, classrooms and personal devices. Our research showed that 96% of Gen Alpha students expect their college to provide or loan devices, and about half rely on Chromebooks or phones as their primary learning tools.

APPSANYWHERE

Those devices are great for portability, but they can’t always run complex applications like engineering, design or data analysis software. Without a flexible delivery model, institutions risk creating unintentional inequity — where some students can complete coursework easily, and others can’t even open the tools they need.

That’s why software access is so central to this conversation. At AppsAnywhere, we’ve always focused on simplifying how institutions deliver critical applications to any device. This new generation just makes that mission more urgent.

The report also touched on concerns about wellbeing and technology fatigue. What does that mean for higher ed leaders?

Seventy-two percent of the teens we surveyed said they worry about the negative effects of technology — things like privacy, online bullying and too much screen time. They want technology to help them, not overwhelm them.

That’s an important message for higher ed. Digital transformation shouldn’t just mean adding more systems. It should mean making technology simpler and more supportive. When students have one central way to access what they need — from course software to cloud resources — it removes friction and lowers stress.

A cleaner, more reliable digital experience is part of wellbeing. When systems are fragmented or confusing, it adds frustration. Simplifying access isn’t just an IT win; it’s a student success strategy.

Were there any surprises in the data?

One surprise was how optimistic this generation still is about college. Ninety percent of respondents said they plan to attend — more than double today’s U.S. enrollment rate for 18- to 24-year-olds. That’s a huge opportunity for institutions.

At the same time, 40% said affordability could keep them from enrolling, and 38% weren’t sure what to study. They want to go to college, but they expect it to be worth it — affordable, flexible and relevant to their goals. Technology plays a role in that value perception. When systems are modern and frictionless, it reinforces trust that the institution is forward-looking and invested in student outcomes.

About the Research. “From Gen Z to Gen Alpha: A New Era of Digital Expectations” surveyed more than 500 U.S. teens aged 13–15 in July 2025. Commissioned by AppsAnywhere in partnership with The Insights Family, the study explores how today’s AI-native students view technology, learning and the value of higher education.

How can institutions start preparing now for Gen Alpha’s arrival?

It starts with a mindset shift. Colleges don’t need to replace every system overnight, but they do need to think holistically about the student experience.

Three steps stand out.

First, audit access. Identify where barriers still exist — whether it’s a portal that only works on desktop, or lab software that can’t be reached off-campus.

Second, embrace device diversity. Students will show up with everything from high-end gaming laptops to entry-level Chromebooks. Delivery models have to work across that spectrum.

And third, reduce complexity. When a student can find, launch and use the software they need without friction, that sends a clear message of institutional competence. For IT, it also means lower support volume and easier management at scale.

That’s the bridge AppsAnywhere helps institutions build — between the IT team’s reality and the student’s expectation of instant, equitable access.

Given this data, what does the future of learning look like to you?

I think it’s about access and adaptability. Students will expect software and learning tools to be available wherever they are, on whatever device they’re using, with no loss in quality. They’ll also expect institutions to integrate AI responsibly — using it to personalize learning, automate routine tasks and free up more time for real interaction.

The institutions that thrive will be the ones that simplify, not complicate. They’ll focus on removing barriers rather than adding features. And they’ll recognize that infrastructure and accessibility aren’t back-end issues anymore — they’re core parts of the student experience.

When technology fades into the background and learning takes center stage, that’s when we’ll know we’ve caught up to Gen Alpha.

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Victor Rivero is the Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest. Write to: victor@edtechdigest.com

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