News/Education
LA schools establish new guidelines for AI implementation
The Los Angeles County Office of Education's proactive approach to implementing artificial intelligence in schools provides valuable insights for educational institutions seeking to integrate AI technology effectively. Strategic foundations and governance: LACOE has established a comprehensive approach to AI implementation through a dedicated task force, focusing on surveying existing AI usage and developing flexible guidelines. The organization conducted extensive surveys to understand how schools were already utilizing generative AI Guidelines were created for vetting technology vendors, piloting new AI products, and training staff A flexible governance model was chosen over rigid policies to accommodate the rapidly evolving AI landscape Policy...
read Nov 21, 2024The overlap between media literacy, computer science and AI
The increasing prominence of artificial intelligence in education has educators exploring ways to effectively teach AI concepts through established frameworks of media literacy and computer science. Current landscape: California's mandate for AI literacy education has prompted educators to develop strategic approaches for teaching AI concepts in K-12 settings. Schools are required to integrate AI literacy across various subjects as part of the curriculum Many institutions are currently navigating restrictions on AI tools due to data privacy concerns Only 5 percent of California high school students currently take computer science classes, highlighting a significant gap in technical education Core teaching approaches:...
read Nov 21, 2024Student punished for AI use, court backs school’s decision
The increasing prevalence of AI tools in education has led to one of the first federal court rulings on AI-assisted academic dishonesty, setting a potential precedent for how schools handle similar cases. The core dispute: A Massachusetts high school student received disciplinary action after using AI to complete an AP US History assignment, prompting his parents to file a lawsuit against Hingham High School. The student, identified as RNH, and a classmate were caught copying and pasting text from Grammarly's AI tool, including citations to nonexistent books School officials issued failing grades for portions of the project, assigned Saturday detention,...
read Nov 21, 2024OpenScholar: The open-source AI tool that outperforms GPT-4 in scientific research
The emergence of OpenScholar marks a significant advancement in AI-assisted scientific research, offering researchers a powerful open-source tool to navigate and synthesize millions of academic papers efficiently. Core innovation: OpenScholar, developed by the Allen Institute for AI and the University of Washington, combines advanced retrieval systems with a specialized language model to provide evidence-based answers to complex research questions. The system processes over 45 million open-access academic papers, delivering citation-backed responses that outperform larger proprietary models Unlike traditional AI models, OpenScholar actively retrieves and synthesizes information from real papers rather than relying solely on pre-trained knowledge The platform uses a...
read Nov 20, 2024Common Sense Media and OpenAI offer free AI training to educators
The rapid adoption of generative AI in education has created a pressing need for teachers to understand how to effectively incorporate these tools into their classrooms while maintaining educational integrity. The Initiative Overview: OpenAI and Common Sense Media have collaborated to launch a free online course titled "ChatGPT Foundations for K-12 Educators" designed to help teachers navigate the implementation of AI in education. The one-hour course covers essential topics including data privacy, ethical usage, AI fundamentals, and practical classroom applications Early pilot testing across twelve school districts has shown promising results, with 98% of participants reporting they gained new applicable...
read Nov 19, 2024Federal prosecutors arrest AI education company founder for fraud
The arrest of an AI education startup founder marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of artificial intelligence companies in the education sector, particularly those serving major urban school districts. Key allegations: Federal prosecutors have charged Joanna Smith-Griffin, the 33-year-old founder of ALLHere Education Inc., with securities fraud, wire fraud, and identity theft. Smith-Griffin allegedly misrepresented her company's financials to secure millions in investor funding since 2020 The company created "Ed" the chatbot, which was designed to generate learning plans for students Major school districts including Los Angeles Unified, New York City, and Atlanta had implemented the company's AI...
read Nov 19, 20245 top AI storytelling apps for kids, tested by a busy mom
AI-powered storytelling apps are emerging as innovative educational tools that help children develop creative writing skills while making the process engaging and personalized. Key Features and Functionality: Each app offers unique capabilities for generating customized children's stories with varying levels of interactivity and personalization. Magic Story AI enables children to become protagonists in their tales through photo uploads, addressing themes like emotional intelligence and common childhood concerns StorySpark functions as a digital writing mentor, providing structured guidance through storytelling fundamentals like plot development and character creation StoryBee offers a streamlined approach with theme-based story generation and flexible reading level adjustments,...
read Nov 18, 2024Florida State launches AI-focused nursing degree program
The integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare education marks a significant shift as Florida State University (FSU) pioneers a specialized nursing program focused on technology and innovation. Program Overview: Florida State University has established the Nursing and Artificial Intelligence Innovation Consortium, launching the nation's first master's degree program focused on AI in healthcare. The program aims to prepare nurses for leadership positions in healthcare technology while advancing nursing practices through AI integration FSU's initiative represents the first dedicated academic program combining nursing education with artificial intelligence at the master's level The consortium will oversee the development and implementation of this...
read Nov 18, 2024Parents sue school over delayed reporting of non-consensual AI nudes
Artificial intelligence technology being used to create non-consensual explicit images has caused major disruption at a Pennsylvania private school, highlighting growing concerns about AI's misuse in educational settings. The incident: A student at Lancaster Country Day School created sexually explicit AI-generated images of approximately 50 female classmates, leading to school closure and leadership resignations. The inappropriate content was first reported to Head of School Matt Micciche in November 2023, but no immediate action was taken Police became involved after receiving a tip in mid-2024 Classes were temporarily suspended, with over half the student body participating in a walkout to protest...
read Nov 17, 2024MSU’s new initiative will train high school students to build AI models
Artificial Intelligence education continues to expand in U.S. high schools, with Mississippi State University (MSU) leading a new initiative to teach students how to develop AI systems for image analysis, supported by a substantial National Science Foundation grant. Program Overview and Funding: A $1.2 million National Science Foundation grant is enabling Mississippi State University to launch an innovative extracurricular program focused on AI and machine learning education. The program will partner with 15 high school teachers to train 60 students in AI development Students will learn to prepare image data, train machine learning models, and develop intelligent vision systems The...
read Nov 14, 2024Pennsylvania parents target school district over AI deepfakes
The emergence of AI-generated explicit images has created a crisis at Lancaster Country Day School in Pennsylvania, where administrators face serious allegations of mishandling incidents involving female students. Initial incident and response: A Safe2Say Something tip in November 2023 alerted school officials to AI-generated nude images of female students, but the administration allegedly failed to take appropriate action. Nearly 50 female students were reportedly victimized through the creation of AI-generated nude images The school's Head, Matt Micciche, allegedly failed to report the incident to law enforcement despite being a mandated reporter A second incident reported in May 2024 only reached...
read Nov 13, 2024How AI tools boost learning for neurodiverse students
The increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in education is opening new possibilities for supporting students with learning disabilities and neurodivergent conditions, potentially transforming how they navigate academic challenges. Current landscape and context: Recent discussions at CAST, a nonprofit organization known for developing the Universal Design for Learning approach, have highlighted the potential of AI tools to support neurodiverse students in educational settings. CAST hosted a webinar featuring Michelle Deal, director of learning technologies research and development at Landmark College, an institution specializing in education for students with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism The college's mission focuses on providing personalized support and...
read Nov 13, 2024How AI is transforming education by turning static facts into dynamic insights
The rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how humans learn and interact with knowledge, as large language models (LLMs) transform traditional static learning into dynamic, personalized experiences. The paradigm shift: Large language models are revolutionizing education by moving away from one-directional knowledge transfer to create interactive, adaptive learning experiences. Traditional learning methods relied on static sources like textbooks and lectures, where information flowed in one direction from source to student Modern LLMs enable two-way communication, creating a dynamic partnership between AI and learner The transformation is becoming increasingly essential as the pace of knowledge creation and change...
read Nov 13, 2024How to introduce your children to generative AI
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence tools among young people is reshaping childhood education and development, with recent data showing nearly half of Generation Alpha children already utilizing AI technology. Current adoption landscape: A recent Hosting Advice survey of parents with children aged 7-14 reveals significant gender and age variations in AI tool usage among young people. Boys show higher adoption rates at 54% compared to girls at 45% Usage increases to 60% among teenagers aged 13-14 Parental support varies by gender, with 66% of fathers favoring AI use compared to 47% of mothers While 20% of parents permit AI...
read Nov 13, 2024AI study tools: Help or hindrance for students?
The rapid evolution of AI-powered study tools is creating both opportunities and challenges in higher education, as students increasingly rely on sophisticated AI assistants for tasks ranging from text summarization to lecture note conversion. Current landscape: AI education tools have advanced far beyond traditional study aids like CliffsNotes, offering instant summaries of text, audio, and video content with increasingly sophisticated features. Google's NotebookLM can transform lecture notes into conversational podcasts with AI-generated voices Apple recently released Intelligence features for iPhones that can modify text tone OpenAI's Canvas feature includes controls to instantly adjust reading levels of any text Educational concerns:...
read Nov 12, 2024Google’s new AI learning companion goes beyond standard chatbot interactions
The emergence of Google's Learn About tool marks a significant shift in how AI systems present educational content, moving beyond traditional chatbot responses to create more structured, learning-focused interactions. Key Features and Functionality: Learn About, built on Google's LearnLM AI model, delivers responses with educational formatting and interactive elements that differentiate it from conventional AI chatbots. The tool incorporates visual elements, textbook-style boxes, and supplementary context sections like "why it matters" and "Build your vocab" A sidebar feature suggests related topics to encourage further exploration The system is specifically designed to align with established educational research and learning methodologies Practical...
read Nov 11, 2024Alaska schools adopt flawed policy based on fake AI-generated studies
The use of artificial intelligence to draft official education policy in Alaska has spotlighted ongoing concerns about AI's tendency to fabricate information, as revealed when the state's Education Commissioner used AI to create a policy document containing multiple fictional research citations. Key policy details: Alaska's Education Commissioner Deena Bishop employed artificial intelligence to develop a statewide policy restricting student cell phone use in schools. The AI-generated policy document included six research citations intended to support classroom phone restrictions Four of these citations referenced nonexistent studies, though they were attributed to legitimate organizations like the American Psychological Association Despite claims that...
read Nov 11, 2024San Antonio firm builds AI gunshot detection for schools
School safety and security concerns in the United States have prompted innovative technological solutions, with Texas-based Wytec International Inc. emerging as a key player in developing AI-powered threat detection systems for educational institutions. Technology overview: Wytec International has developed an artificial intelligence system that integrates with sensors and cameras to detect multiple types of security threats in school environments. The AI software processes data from a network of sensors to identify gunshots with claimed 90% accuracy in laboratory testing The system can also detect other hazards including smoke, fire, and illegal substances A proprietary base station processes information over a...
read Nov 9, 2024Fast.ai and Answer.AI merge, unveil AI code education platform
A new era for fast.ai: Fast.ai, the organization founded to democratize artificial intelligence, is joining Answer.AI and launching a revolutionary educational experience called "How To Solve It With Code." Founded eight years ago by Jeremy Howard and Rachel Thomas, fast.ai aimed to make AI accessible to people worldwide, believing in its potential to empower creativity and innovation. The merger with Answer.AI marks a new phase in fast.ai's mission to make AI accessible to everyone. The new beta course, "How To Solve It With Code," represents an innovative "AI-first" approach to education. Shifting AI landscape: The accessibility of AI has transformed...
read Nov 9, 2024UK universities are struggling with fostering AI literacy while curbing academic dishonesty
The growing challenge of AI in higher education: Universities are grappling with the dual task of promoting AI literacy among students while discouraging its misuse for cheating, as highlighted by a recent case of a student using AI to complete an essay. A student, referred to as Hannah, admitted to using AI tools to write an essay when she was ill with Covid and facing multiple deadlines, leading to an academic misconduct panel review. Hannah's case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, despite her admission, which she believes was intended as a warning to other students about the potential consequences...
read Nov 7, 2024Stanford AI research program welcomes 15 new fellows for 2024-25
Stanford HAI announces new AI research fellows: The Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI (HAI) has selected 29 scholars to join as graduate and postdoctoral fellows for the 2024-25 academic year, focusing on diverse areas of AI research and development. The fellowship program aims to support scholars working at interdisciplinary intersections that may be overlooked by traditional academic departments. Fellows will collaborate with Stanford faculty and research teams on challenges in human-centered AI. The cohort includes 16 graduate fellows and 13 postdoctoral fellows from various academic backgrounds. Research focus areas: The new fellows will contribute to a wide range of AI-related...
read Nov 6, 2024High schoolers build AI tool to combat online misinformation
Innovative high school AI course tackles real-world problems: Students at Amador Valley High School in California are developing advanced technology solutions, including an AI-powered fact-checker, as part of a unique computer science class. The course, led by teacher Kevin Kiyoi, focuses on emerging technologies and allows students to apply their skills to issues they care about, from environmentalism to civic engagement. Students are given the freedom to create solutions with minimal oversight, setting this class apart from other computer science courses in the area. The hands-on, student-driven nature of the class has led to professional opportunities for some students, including...
read Nov 5, 2024How AI is being used to tackle K-12 chronic absenteeism
Innovative AI solution targets chronic absenteeism in schools: Edia, an ed-tech company, has introduced a new AI-powered tool designed to combat the rising issue of chronic absenteeism in K-12 education. The software integrates with existing student information systems (SIS) to monitor attendance and parent contact details in real-time. Within 15 minutes of an unexpected absence being recorded, the system automatically sends a personalized text message to parents, with support for over 100 languages. The tool aims to streamline communication between schools and families, reducing the workload on administrative staff who struggle to manage increased absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism on the rise:...
read Nov 4, 2024How Boulder schools balance AI innovation with student data protection
AI integration in education: Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts are implementing strategies to leverage artificial intelligence in classrooms while prioritizing student data protection and ethical use. Both districts opted not to block ChatGPT when it launched in November 2022, instead focusing on its potential benefits and necessary precautions. Conversations within the districts centered around data privacy, teaching students ethical AI use, and helping teachers utilize AI to streamline time-consuming tasks. Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson highlighted AI's potential to give teachers more time to reinvest in students by automating routine tasks. Teacher training initiatives: St. Vrain Valley...
read