ChatEDU: AI in Education

A school district gave staff their own AI agents, living inside Google Chat. Its CIO on the guardrails, and why he made none of it mandatory. First Up Matt pitches Meta's Muse using a WIRED piece about a reporter’s NSFW chat with the agent without policy violations, but Liz isn't convinced. Gemini Pro also got another redesign. Meta Says That's Totally Fine: https://tinyurl.com/yhetjccj Gemini pro redesign: Scheduled Actions and Tasks, formerly Spark:https://tinyurl.com/yk9nzwtp ...

In this ChatEDU Check-In: Data Center = Teacher Bonus?, Matt explores how hyperscalers and tech companies are offering financial concessions to local communities to secure approval for new data centers. As computing expansion faces political and public resistance, tech firms are funding local initiatives and infrastructure to build goodwill. These investments range from workforce training programs to direct cash payouts and local school support. Key Takeaways: Tech companies face growing op...

In this ChatEDU Check-In: A STEP, BUT A BABY STEP, Matt explores Google's release of SynthID to the general public to help identify AI-generated media. The tool allows users to verify whether images, video, or audio content have been generated by AI. While it represents a step forward in media verification, limitations remain across different platforms and models. Key Takeaways: Google expanded public access to SynthID, enabling anyone to verify whether images, video, or audio clips are AI-...

Common Sense Media says ChatGPT for teens and six additional tools are labeled “Unacceptable Risk” and what to do about it. First Up Matt and Liz open on Bezzy, a satirical plush data center from the Adopt a Data Center project. Squeeze its belly and it screams with audio recorded from a real data center in a Virginia backyard. Adopt This Data Center Plushie and Hear Its Piercing Scream: https://tinyurl.com/5n8wsxyd The Rundown TinkAI TinkAI Mirror: How Much Do You Push Back Wh...

In this ChatEDU Check-In: Students Walk Out Over AI, Liz explores high school students protesting a perceived double standard in school AI policies. Students at Evergreen High School walked out of class to demand regulations on AI use for both teachers and students. They highlighted that while educators use AI for lesson planning and grading, students are completely prohibited from using it. Key Takeaways: Evergreen High School students staged a walkout under the banner "Pencils, not prompt...