News/Education
Louisiana forms 30-member committee to bring AI into K-12 classrooms, minus Chinese tech
Louisiana has formed a nearly 30-member committee to develop recommendations for implementing artificial intelligence in K-12 classrooms across the state. The initiative comes as education leaders grapple with AI's rapid integration into daily life while addressing concerns about student privacy, data security, and the technology's unproven impact on learning outcomes. What you should know: The committee includes state education board members, department officials, and national AI experts who will spend the next few months creating an implementation framework. Louisiana Tech University president Jim Henderson will lead the team, which must present recommendations at the state board of education's March 10...
read Oct 17, 2025New York school district launches LEGO robotics program for grades 4-6
The Floral Park-Bellerose School District has launched a new LEGO robotics curriculum in its Discovery Lab sessions, introducing students in grades 4-6 to hands-on coding and engineering experiences. The program represents a growing trend of elementary schools integrating robotics education to develop critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills among younger students. What you should know: Sixth graders at John Lewis Childs School participated in their inaugural LEGO robotics lesson on October 6, working in pairs to build and program robotic creations. Students used LEGO Education SPIKE Essential app and kits to construct and code an arctic ride featuring a programmable...
read Oct 17, 2025Microsoft invests $12.5M to train 400K AFT and NEA teachers in AI tools
The country's two largest teachers unions have partnered with major tech companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to provide AI training for educators, with companies investing millions of dollars in exchange for influence in classroom technology adoption. These partnerships aim to build AI literacy among teachers while raising questions about corporate involvement in public education and whether educators might eventually be replaced by artificial intelligence. The big picture: Tech companies are investing heavily in teacher AI training as a strategic move to establish their products in schools early, with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) receiving funding from multiple companies...
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Idle hands are the AI’s plaything: Researchers use Mario Kart to train self-driving car
Researchers at the University of Maryland are using Nintendo's Mario Kart video game to train artificial intelligence systems for autonomous driving applications. The innovative approach allows AI programs to learn safe driving behaviors in a simulated environment before being tested on real roads, potentially advancing the development of self-driving vehicle technology. How it works: The research team has reprogrammed Mario Kart to prioritize safe driving over winning, creating a training ground for autonomous systems. AI programs control Mario through racing laps while being evaluated on both speed and safety metrics. The system generates safety scores based on how well the...
read Oct 14, 2025Only 13 countries ready for AI workforce transformation, claims study
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the global economy at breakneck speed, but most countries remain woefully unprepared to train their workforces for an AI-driven future. While nearly half of today's jobs could vanish within two decades due to automation, an estimated 65% of current elementary school students will eventually work in careers that don't yet exist—many of them requiring sophisticated AI knowledge. This workforce transformation presents both an enormous challenge and opportunity. A comprehensive study examining the national AI preparation strategies of 50 countries reveals stark disparities in how governments are approaching this challenge, with only 13 nations demonstrating comprehensive plans...
read Oct 14, 2025Pittsburgh hosts first US Global Innovation Summit on AI in health sciences
The University of Pittsburgh will host the Global Innovation Summit next week, marking the first time the United States has hosted this international gathering of industry, government, business, and academic leaders focused on AI in health sciences. The summit represents a strategic move by Pitt to cement its reputation as a hub for artificial intelligence research and positions the university alongside Carnegie Mellon as a driving force in Pittsburgh's emerging tech landscape. What you should know: The Global Innovation Summit will bring 200-300 attendees from 20 countries to Pittsburgh from October 19-21, combining with the Competitiveness Conversations series for an...
read Oct 14, 2025Microsoft gives all schools in its home state of Washington free AI tools to promote tech prowess
Microsoft has launched Elevate Washington, providing all 295 public school districts and 34 community colleges in the state with free access to AI tools and training resources. The initiative addresses a stark digital divide where AI usage ranges from over 30% in urban Puget Sound counties to just 2.5% in rural Ferry County, positioning Washington as a national model for equitable AI adoption in education. What you should know: The program provides comprehensive AI access and support starting January 2026, with tools designed to reduce administrative burdens for educators while giving students early exposure to emerging technologies. School districts and...
read Oct 13, 2025AI brings ancient Rome to life with highly plausible, historically accurate images
Two University of Zurich researchers have created Re-Experiencing History, an AI image generator that produces historically informed visualizations of ancient Rome and Greece based on scholarly sources. The platform represents a novel approach to historical education, using curated academic materials to train AI models that generate plausible visual representations of historical scenes rather than generic "ancient-looking" imagery. How it works: Professor Felix K. Maier, an ancient history professor, and computational linguist Phillip Ströbel trained existing AI image generators using nearly 300 carefully curated images and captions from scholarly sources. The system draws from annotated materials including illustrations from academic books...
read Oct 13, 2025Johns Hopkins names AI pioneer as first data science institute director
Mark Dredze, a Johns Hopkins University computer science professor and pioneer in AI-powered language analysis for public health applications, has been named the inaugural director of the university's Data Science and AI Institute. His appointment, effective November 1, positions him to lead an interdisciplinary institute that brings together experts across AI, machine learning, and data science to drive research breakthroughs spanning neuroscience, public health, national security, and materials science. What you should know: Dredze's selection follows an extensive international search to find a leader for an institute that's rapidly expanding its faculty and research capabilities. The institute recently welcomed 22...
read Oct 10, 2025Virginia Tech releases 7-principle AI framework for campus use
Virginia Tech has released a comprehensive framework for the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence across its campus operations, research, and teaching functions. The 18-month effort, led by a university-wide working group, establishes seven core principles and governance structures to guide AI adoption while aligning with the institution's land-grant mission and "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve) values. What you should know: The framework represents one of the most comprehensive institutional approaches to AI governance in higher education, addressing everything from classroom use to research applications. The working group, co-chaired by Dale Pike, associate vice provost for technology-enhanced learning,...
read Oct 10, 2025AI dependency creates “middle-intelligence trap” for human thinking, says professor
University of Nebraska Omaha economics professor Zhigang Feng has introduced the concept of a "Middle-Intelligence Trap," warning that society's increasing reliance on AI tools may lead to intellectual stagnation rather than cognitive enhancement. Drawing parallels to the economic "middle-income trap" where developing nations plateau after initial growth, Feng argues that humans risk becoming too dependent on AI to think independently while failing to achieve the transcendent reasoning that true augmentation promises. The core problem: Feng identifies a dangerous feedback loop where AI dependency gradually erodes human cognitive abilities through what he calls a "comfortable slide into intellectual mediocrity." Every cognitive...
read Oct 10, 2025Staples High School hosts Connecticut’s first drone programming competition
Staples High School will host its first-ever drone competition on February 21, drawing teams from across Connecticut and beyond to compete in autonomous drone programming challenges. The event marks a significant expansion for the school's RoboWreckers club, which is working to rebuild the competitive robotics program that placed second globally at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship in 2009. What you should know: Students will program pre-assembled drones to navigate obstacle courses autonomously, tackling both standardized challenges and yearly mission objectives. Teams must guide drones through set obstacles like flying in figure-eight patterns or navigating through cubes, according to Tech...
read Oct 10, 2025Campus hires Meta’s former AI VP and acquires his 1.7M-user learning platform
Campus, a college startup backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal, has hired Meta's former AI Vice President Jerome Pesenti as its chief technology officer and acquired his AI learning platform Sizzle AI for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition integrates personalized AI-generated educational content already serving 1.7 million users and accelerates Campus's development timeline by two to three years as the company works to disrupt traditional community college education. What you should know: Campus operates as an accredited online college offering associate degrees taught by professors from elite universities like Stanford, Princeton, and NYU. The platform...
read Oct 8, 2025America rushes AI education while skipping digital literacy basics
A new executive order has thrust artificial intelligence literacy into America's educational spotlight, but this sudden urgency reveals an uncomfortable truth: we've been overlooking fundamental digital skills that students desperately need. In April 2024, an executive order called Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth established AI literacy as a national priority for K-12 education. The initiative aims to ensure American students gain early exposure to artificial intelligence, positioning the nation as a global leader in this transformative technology. Schools across the country are now scrambling to implement AI education programs. However, this represents a striking irony in educational policy....
read Oct 7, 2025Maryland offers up to $500K for cyber-AI clinics to train workers
Maryland has launched the Cyber and Artificial Intelligence Clinic Grant program, offering up to $500,000 per recipient to colleges, nonprofits, and training providers to establish cyber and AI clinics. The first-of-its-kind state initiative aims to address thousands of vacant cybersecurity positions annually while providing digital security services to vulnerable community institutions like schools, hospitals, and small businesses. What you should know: The Maryland Department of Labor's new grant program targets both workforce development and community cybersecurity needs through a dual-purpose clinic model. Grant recipients must train at least 100 cyber professionals annually between 2027 and 2029, covering both technical roles...
read Oct 7, 2025Google Translate adds free AI practice mode for language learners
Google has rolled out Practice mode, a new AI-powered language learning feature within its Google Translate app that offers personalized lessons and conversation practice. The beta feature allows users to create custom learning scenarios on-demand and emphasizes speaking practice over traditional multiple-choice methods, positioning itself as a compelling free alternative to established platforms like Duolingo. What you should know: Practice mode currently supports French and Spanish for English speakers, with plans to expand to more languages as the beta progresses. Users can choose from recommended scenarios like ordering food, asking for directions, or greeting acquaintances, or create entirely custom lessons...
read Oct 7, 2025Union, jack thy skillset up: 48% of UK AI projects fail as firms lack know-how, says study
A new Pluralsight survey reveals that 95% of UK businesses claim to prioritize employee learning cultures, yet half of workers can't find time for training and 93% need additional support. The disconnect between leadership intentions and execution is particularly acute in AI and machine learning, where skills shortages are now among the most severe across all technology domains. The big picture: AI and machine learning has rapidly evolved from a low-priority skill to the third most critical capability for businesses, trailing only cybersecurity and cloud computing in terms of skills gaps. Key findings from the survey: The research, which polled...
read Oct 7, 2025Toys ‘R’ Them: Chinese AI toy market hits $14B as US giants move to keep up
AI-powered toys that can chat with children are rapidly gaining popularity in China and expanding into US markets. This emerging sector is projected to reach $14 billion by 2030 in China alone, with over 1,500 AI toy companies now operating there, while major US players like Mattel and OpenAI prepare to enter the competition with their own conversational toys later this year. What you should know: Chinese companies are leading the AI toy revolution with products that transform ordinary stuffed animals into interactive companions. BubblePal, a ping-pong ball-sized device that clips onto stuffed animals, has sold 200,000 units since launching...
read Oct 6, 2025Maine launches first robotics symposium to prepare students for automated future
The Maine School of Science and Mathematics hosted its first robotics symposium in Waterville, bringing together families, students, and STEM organizations to introduce Maine's youth to robotics opportunities. The event underscores Maine's growing focus on preparing students for the state's evolving industrial landscape, where automation and robotics play increasingly important roles beyond the traditional agriculture and tourism sectors. What you should know: The symposium aimed to demonstrate that STEM education and careers can thrive in Maine, not just promote the specialized school itself. Robert Constantine, executive director of the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, emphasized that "you can do...
read Oct 3, 2025Texas private school flaunts morning classes with AI learning, teachers with large salaries
Alpha School in Austin, Texas, has created an AI-driven educational model where fourth and fifth graders spend just two hours each morning on traditional academics through personalized software, with the rest of their day focused on life skills projects. The $40,000-per-year private school represents a radical departure from conventional education, using artificial intelligence to customize learning while human "guides" focus on motivation rather than instruction. How the model works: Students progress through science, math, and reading at their own pace using AI-driven software that adapts to individual learning speeds. Adults in classrooms are called "guides" rather than teachers and earn...
read Oct 2, 2025Long Beach offers free 90-minute AI workshops with cybersecurity focus
Long Beach is launching a comprehensive artificial intelligence education initiative this month, offering residents hands-on training in AI tools while addressing growing concerns about digital privacy and security. The program represents a notable example of how municipalities are responding to the rapid adoption of AI technologies in everyday life. The City of Long Beach's Department of Technology and Innovation (TID) will host five free community workshops throughout October, coinciding with Digital Inclusion Week. These sessions aim to demystify artificial intelligence for everyday users while teaching essential cybersecurity practices—a combination that reflects the dual challenge facing communities as AI becomes more...
read Oct 2, 2025Ballerin-AI: Former Macedonian ballet dancer uses tech to transform performance training in Georgia
Former professional ballet dancer Milka Trajkova is now using artificial intelligence to transform dance training and performance analysis at Georgia Tech's Expressive Machinery Lab. Her research bridges the gap between artistic movement and data science, creating AI tools that help dancers perfect their technique while making dance training more accessible and precise. What you should know: Trajkova's journey from ballet dancer to AI researcher began when a toe injury ended her performing career at age 20 with the Macedonian Opera and Ballet. She discovered human-computer interaction (HCI) while studying information systems management, which she describes as "a fusion of design,...
read Sep 30, 2025Amazon’s $25K donation launches 3 new robotics clubs in South Dakota
Amazon has donated $25,000 to the Black Hills Robotics Foundation to establish three new robotics clubs in South Dakota. The funding will also support existing clubs with equipment and travel expenses, expanding robotics education opportunities for middle school students in the region. What you should know: The donation will directly fund three new robotics clubs while providing additional support for existing programs in the Black Hills area. The Black Hills Robotics Foundation will determine which three proposed clubs receive funding to launch their programs. Additional money will go toward purchasing new equipment and covering travel fees for existing robotics clubs...
read Sep 30, 2025Two top law schools lean in, now require AI essays for admissions
Two prestigious U.S. law schools are requiring applicants to use artificial intelligence in their admissions essays, marking a significant shift from the typical prohibition against AI assistance in college applications. The University of Michigan and University of Miami law schools have introduced AI-powered essay questions for fall 2026 admissions, reflecting AI's growing integration into legal education and practice. What you should know: These schools are pioneering a new approach to evaluating prospective law students' AI competency alongside traditional metrics. The University of Miami requires applicants to create detailed prompts for generative AI tools like ChatGPT to generate a "comprehensive analysis"...
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