News/Education
PTA-I: California schools launch AI training for parents as teachers save 6 weeks yearly
Modesto City Schools has introduced comprehensive artificial intelligence guidelines for classroom use, becoming the only district in Stanislaus County with a dedicated AI committee. The district will launch parent training sessions next month to help families support their children with the same AI tools being adopted in schools, marking a proactive approach to educational technology integration. What you should know: The district formed a 20-member AI committee including students, staff, and parents to establish responsible AI policies across all schools. The committee developed a guidebook titled "Modesto City Schools AI Exploration: Navigating Our Digital Future" along with brochures and posters...
read Aug 19, 2025AI helps 4K Liverpool students boost grades across 100 schools
Liverpool's 4,000 primary school students have improved their academic grades over the past school year after using Century AI, an artificial intelligence tool designed to automate teaching tasks. The pilot program demonstrates how AI can enhance educational outcomes by freeing teachers to focus more on student relationships rather than administrative work. What you should know: Century AI handles routine educational tasks so teachers can prioritize direct student interaction and instruction. The software automates marking, lesson planning, and data gathering, allowing educators to "focus on building human relationships with students." Century Tech, the company behind the tool, developed it using data...
read Aug 18, 2025UNLV bets on AI research hub for gambling industry transformation
UNLV has launched the AI Research Hub (AiR Hub) through its International Gaming Institute to study artificial intelligence's impact on the gaming industry. The initiative addresses critical gaps in understanding how AI transforms gaming operations, governance frameworks, and responsible implementation in this heavily regulated sector. What you should know: The AiR Hub represents the first centralized research facility dedicated to AI's intersection with gambling and gaming. Co-founders Kasra Ghaharian, the International Gaming Institute's director of research, and Simo Dragicevic, an IGI adjunct fellow, identified the need for consolidated research after observing scattered studies across the industry. The hub has secured...
read Aug 18, 2025Grammarly launches 8 AI agents to automate writing tasks. Meet the team.
Grammarly has unveiled eight new AI agents designed to transform how students and professionals approach writing tasks. Unlike traditional AI chatbots that require careful prompting, these automated assistants activate contextually and provide targeted support without manual intervention. This development represents a significant shift for Grammarly, the writing assistance platform founded in 2009. The company is repositioning itself around AI agents—autonomous software programs that can perform specific tasks with minimal human oversight. For business professionals, this means access to specialized writing support that adapts to different contexts and requirements automatically. The timing is particularly relevant as organizations increasingly integrate AI tools...
read Aug 18, 2025Piece of mind, at best? Custom instructions can’t turn ChatGPT into effective therapy tool, expert warns
AI expert Lance Eliot argues that while OpenAI's ChatGPT Study Mode demonstrates the power of custom instructions for educational purposes, attempting to create similar AI-powered therapy tools through custom instructions alone is fundamentally flawed. Despite interest from mental health professionals in replicating Study Mode's success for therapeutic applications, Eliot contends that mental health requires purpose-built AI systems rather than retrofitted generic models. How ChatGPT Study Mode works: OpenAI's recently launched Study Mode uses custom instructions crafted by educational specialists to guide students through problems step-by-step rather than providing direct answers. The system encourages active participation, manages cognitive load, and provides...
read Aug 18, 2025White-collar blues: 42% of Gen Z workers choose trades over college to avoid AI job displacement
Blue-collar jobs are gaining popularity among Generation Z workers as concerns grow about artificial intelligence displacing traditional white-collar careers. A recent Resume Builder survey found that 42% of Gen Z adults are already working in or pursuing skilled trades, motivated primarily by avoiding student debt and reducing their risk of AI replacement. What you should know: Leading AI experts are recommending manual labor careers as the safest bet against automation. Geoffrey Hinton, a Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist known as "the Godfather of AI," recently advised: "Train to be a plumber." "I think plumbers are less at risk," Hinton said. "Someone...
read Aug 15, 2025AI sinks its teeth into the Peach State as Georgia’s largest school districts integrate the tech
Georgia's largest school districts are implementing artificial intelligence tools across K-12 classrooms, with educators using AI to craft rubrics, design lessons, and create new career pathways despite ongoing concerns about cheating and data privacy. This shift reflects the broader transformation of education as schools navigate the balance between leveraging AI's potential and maintaining academic integrity while preparing students for an AI-driven workforce. What you should know: Major Georgia districts including DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett are integrating AI both as a standalone subject and as a learning aid across traditional subjects. Fulton County uses Edia, an AI-powered math platform that provides...
read Aug 14, 2025Pointless privilege? MIT student drops out over fears AGI will cause human extinction
An MIT student dropped out of college in 2024, citing fears that artificial general intelligence (AGI) will cause human extinction before she can graduate. Alice Blair, who enrolled at MIT in 2023, now works as a technical writer at the Center for AI Safety, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing AI risks, and represents a growing concern among some students about AI's existential risks, even as the broader tech industry continues pushing toward AGI development. What she's saying: Blair's decision was driven by genuine fear about humanity's survival timeline in relation to AGI development. "I was concerned I might not...
read Aug 14, 2025Margaret Boden, pioneering AI philosopher, dies at 88
Margaret Boden, a pioneering British philosopher and cognitive scientist who used computational concepts to explore human thought and creativity, died on July 18 at age 88 in Brighton, England. Her groundbreaking work helped establish cognitive science as a field and offered prescient insights about artificial intelligence's possibilities and limitations, shaping philosophical conversations about human and machine intelligence for decades. What you should know: Boden was a trailblazing academic who helped establish the University of Sussex's Center for Cognitive Science in the early 1970s, bringing together interdisciplinary researchers to study the mind. She produced influential books including "The Creative Mind: Myths...
read Aug 14, 2025University at Buffalo launches 7 AI bachelor’s degrees with $5M state funding
The University at Buffalo has launched a new Department of AI and Society, offering seven AI-focused bachelor's degrees and two minors that combine artificial intelligence with traditional academic disciplines like communication, economics, and policy analysis. The initiative, supported by a $5 million state investment and part of the broader Empire AI initiative backed by over $500 million in funding, positions UB to prepare students for AI's expanding role across industries while establishing the university as a major player in responsible AI education. What you should know: The new academic programs represent a comprehensive approach to AI education that emphasizes interdisciplinary...
read Aug 14, 2025Sam Altman predicts 2035 graduates will work space-AI jobs
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicts that by 2035, Generation Alpha college graduates could bypass traditional office jobs for lucrative careers combining space exploration and artificial intelligence. Speaking on the Huge Conversations podcast, Altman envisions young professionals leaving university to work on missions exploring the solar system, describing these as "completely new, exciting, super well-paid" opportunities that could fundamentally redefine career paths for the next generation. What Altman envisions: The OpenAI CEO paints a picture where 2035 graduates might board spacecraft for asteroid mining projects as easily as joining a San Francisco tech startup.• Altman described today's college graduates as the...
read Aug 14, 2025Are you telling or are you asking? Claude’s new learning modes teach through questions, not answers
Anthropic has rolled out new learning modes for Claude that transform the AI assistant from a simple answer provider into an interactive study partner. Unlike traditional AI interactions that deliver immediate solutions, these features guide users through the learning process using questioning techniques that build understanding and critical thinking skills. The update represents a strategic shift toward educational AI tools, directly competing with OpenAI's ChatGPT Study Mode. Rather than replacing human effort, these learning modes augment it—helping users work more efficiently while actually developing their skills in the process. What are Claude's learning modes Claude's learning modes fundamentally change how...
read Aug 13, 2025AWS CEO: Critical thinking and creative vision beats technical skills in AI era
Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman is advising workers—including his own teenager—to prioritize critical thinking skills over technical expertise to succeed in the AI era. Rather than pursuing machine learning degrees or highly technical training, Garman emphasizes that soft skills like creativity, adaptability, and critical thinking will become the most valuable assets as AI tools handle more routine tasks. What you should know: Garman believes critical thinking will be the most important skill for future success, regardless of academic specialization. "I think part of going to college is building [your] critical thinking," Garman told CNBC's "Closing Bell." "It's less about...
read Aug 13, 2025More than a nice-to-have: UT Dallas CIO says agentic AI is essential for higher education
Frank Feagans, VP of IT and CIO at the University of Texas at Dallas, is advocating for the integration of agentic AI into university curricula and operations, emphasizing that this technology is no longer aspirational but essential for higher education's future. His approach centers on channeling human experience through AI governance strategy while bringing private industry best practices to academic institutions. What you should know: Feagans believes universities must embrace agentic AI to remain competitive and relevant in preparing students for future careers. Through corporate partnerships, UT Dallas is fostering a culture that promotes emerging technology benefits by engaging students...
read Aug 13, 2025Stanford study: 40% of 9K teachers now use AI in daily classroom routines
A Stanford University study tracking over 9,000 K-12 teachers using AI tools reveals that more than 40% have integrated artificial intelligence into their regular classroom routines. The research, conducted through SchoolAI platform data during the 2024-25 school year, provides the first large-scale behavioral analysis of how educators actually use AI in their daily work, moving beyond surveys to examine real usage patterns. What you should know: The study categorized teachers into four groups based on their 90-day platform engagement, with sustained adoption rates exceeding typical software benchmarks. Single-Day Users (16%) logged in once and never returned Trial Users (43%) used...
read Aug 13, 2025Alabama colleges develop AI policies balancing academic integrity with job readiness
Calhoun Community College and Athens State University in Alabama are developing comprehensive AI policies for classrooms as generative AI becomes more prevalent in education. The institutions are working to balance academic integrity concerns with the practical need to prepare students for AI-integrated workplaces, particularly in high-demand fields like cybersecurity. What you should know: Both colleges are still finalizing their AI policies, with approaches varying significantly by department and program focus. Calhoun currently categorizes AI use into three levels: restricted, limited, and integrated, with different rules applying across departments. The Computer Information Systems (CIS) division actively encourages AI use, recognizing that...
read Aug 12, 2025Public Service AI: Mexican senator deploys $4K robot dog to teach animal welfare on streets
A Mexican federal senator has deployed "Waldog," an AI-powered robot dog, to teach animal kindness and raise awareness about animal welfare on the streets of Monterrey. The beagle-sized robot engages children and adults in conversations about animal rights while also serving practical functions like identifying street hazards and documenting stray animals. What you should know: Senator Waldo Fernandez purchased Waldog for $4,084 with his own money and named the robot after himself. The robot requires adult supervision and operates via remote control, making rounds through low-income neighborhoods like Santa Catarina. Waldog introduces itself by saying, "Hi, I'm Waldog, and I'm...
read Aug 12, 2025AI transforms K-12 education as 2.5M teachers give into it, save hours weekly
AI is rapidly transforming K-12 education, with nearly a third of teachers now using the technology weekly and millions accessing specialized platforms like MagicSchool AI. This shift represents a fundamental change in how both students and educators approach learning, creating new opportunities for personalized instruction while raising concerns about academic integrity and over-reliance on artificial intelligence. What you should know: The current high school senior class represents the last generation to experience pre-ChatGPT education, having started freshman year just months before the chatbot's release. Students have evolved beyond simple copy-pasting, now using multiple AI models and asking chatbots to introduce...
read Aug 8, 2025“Learn to AI”: California propels workforce training with tech giants across public education system
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced partnerships with Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and IBM to integrate AI training and tools across the state's community colleges and California State University system. The voluntary agreements aim to prepare students and educators for an AI-driven workforce while modernizing curricula and expanding access to generative AI technologies across California's public education system. What you should know: These memoranda of understanding formalize partnerships focused on workforce development, teacher training, and hands-on AI experience without any exchange of funds. Google is providing AI-focused training courses for students on effective prompting and for educators on using generative AI...
read Aug 8, 2025Ultimate help desk: UC San Diego’s TritonGPT allows staff of 38K to streamline tasks
UC San Diego has deployed TritonGPT, a collection of AI assistants powered by multiple large language models, to streamline administrative workflows and improve access to institutional knowledge across the university. The platform, which earned UCSD a CIO 100 Award this year, now serves 38,000 faculty and employees and has expanded to partner universities, demonstrating how academic institutions can leverage AI to boost operational efficiency while keeping sensitive data in-house. What you should know: TritonGPT began as a solution to help student service desk staff answer queries more effectively by connecting the university's knowledge base to large language models. Development started...
read Aug 7, 2025Not adding up: AI models ace Math Olympiad but mathematicians aren’t buying the hype
OpenAI and Google DeepMind's latest AI models earned unofficial gold medals at this year's International Math Olympiad, solving five of six complex problems that challenged 110 high school students from around the world. While AI companies celebrated these results as breakthrough achievements, mathematicians remain skeptical about whether these successes translate to real mathematical research capabilities. Why mathematicians aren't impressed: The AI models' olympiad performance doesn't reflect the demands of professional mathematical research, where problems can take years or decades to solve rather than hours. Emily Riehl, a mathematics professor, notes that olympiad problems differ significantly from frontier mathematical research questions...
read Aug 7, 2025Beyond the science fair: North Carolina students build AI chatbots in 2-day prompt-a-thon
Catawba County Schools in North Carolina hosted a two-day "prompt-a-thon" this week to help 30 students build AI literacy through hands-on experimentation with generative AI tools. The event marks the beginning of a three-year partnership with AI for Education, a nonprofit organization, to implement AI programs across all 28 schools in the district, preparing students for an increasingly AI-driven future. What you should know: The prompt-a-thon took place August 4-5 at the Hickory Metro Convention Center, where students worked in teams to design AI solutions for real-world problems. One team created a program to help students manage daily schedules, while...
read Aug 7, 2025AI school surveillance creates false alarms in 67% of cases
AI surveillance systems in American schools are flagging students for false threats at alarming rates, leading to arrests, strip searches, and involuntary mental health commitments for teenagers whose words were taken out of context. A 13-year-old Tennessee girl was arrested and jailed overnight after making an offensive joke about her friends calling her "Mexican," while data from one Kansas district shows nearly two-thirds of AI alerts were deemed non-issues by school officials. The big picture: Thousands of school districts now use AI-powered surveillance software like Gaggle and Lightspeed Alert to monitor student communications on school accounts and devices, creating a...
read Aug 6, 2025Duolingo beats Q2 estimates as AI features drive $1B revenue forecast
Duolingo raised its 2025 revenue forecast and beat second-quarter estimates, driven by growing adoption of its AI-enhanced subscription tiers that offer features like video-call conversation practice with chatbots. The language-learning company now expects annual revenue between $1.01-$1.02 billion, up from its previous projection of $987-$996 million, as AI tools boost user engagement and lower operational costs than anticipated. Key financial results: Duolingo's second-quarter revenue reached $252.3 million, surpassing analyst estimates of $240.7 million. The company's stock jumped about 20% in after-hours trading following the earnings announcement. For the third quarter, Duolingo projects revenue between $257-$261 million, compared to analyst estimates...
read