In this episode of ChatEDU (From ChatGPT to Chat Group GPT), Matt and Liz open with Kim Kardashian blaming ChatGPT for tanking her law exams and Dr. Radday publishing a Fulbright piece on AI hallucinations. From there, they run through agentic cheating, Amazon vs. Perplexity, shifting labor demands, a prompt drop, a gems hack, the new edugems.ai library, federal AI grants, AI bubble warnings, a Gamma update, and NotebookLM’s new Deep Research features. They go Beneath the Surface to look at ChatGPT sliding into 20 person group chats, and close with a Bright Byte on Google’s new Earth AI.

Rundown

Tech companies don’t care that students use AI agents to cheat

AI firms and LMS platforms shrug as agentic tools automate coursework and flood professors with AI generated apologies.

Amazon sends legal threats to Perplexity

Amazon tells Perplexity’s Comet agent to stop bot browsing the site and bypassing ads.

The Boss Has a Message: Use AI or You’re Fired

Some companies now cut workers who refuse to adopt AI tools.

Microsoft resumes hiring with full AI focus

The new roles all center on human AI collaboration.

Remote Labor Index

Real world testing shows frontier agents can automate only a tiny slice of complex remote work.

Prompt Drop

A step by step walkthrough prompt that quizzes understanding before advancing.

Gem Hack

A URL tweak forces gem copies so colleagues don’t overwrite your instructions.

edugems.ai

A growing collection of teacher friendly gems for inspiration and customization.

FIPSE Federal AI Grants

One to four million dollar projects supporting AI integration in higher ed. Deadline tight.

AI Bubble Watch

J.P. Morgan says the industry may need $650B annually to justify investment.

Gamma’s growth

Profitable, lean, and now valued at $2.1B. A rare AI business that actually works.

NotebookLM updates

Deep Research arrives with support for Sheets, images, Drive URLs, and more.

Beneath the Surface

ChatGPT group chats

Up to twenty people plus the bot in a shared thread. Use cases include study groups, capstones, and planning teams.

Bright Byte

Google Earth AI

Google fuses satellite data, population data, and Gemini reasoning into a environmental intelligence platform used by WHO Africa and others.

Links and References

Prompt Drop

https://www.skills21.org/prompts

Gemini Gems hack

https://tinyurl.com/2hmr2k4d

College students “apologized” using AI

https://tinyurl.com/muksx346

Kim Kardashian blames ChatGPT for failing aw school tests

https://tinyurl.com/snnync85

Companies don’t care that students use AI agents to cheat

https://tinyurl.com/5n92vpzy

Amazon sends legal threats to Perplexity

https://tinyurl.com/wenryn6t

Use AI or You’re Fired

https://tinyurl.com/mpducds4

Microsoft will hire again, but with AI-first approach

https://tinyurl.com/yrmmxkzd

Measuring AI Automation of Remote Work

https://tinyurl.com/hjr5pxz9

Applications for New Awards

https://tinyurl.com/2pyuedtd

J.P. Morgan Bubble Concerns

https://tinyurl.com/f72was8n

We Didn't Start the Fire Bubble Parody

https://tinyurl.com/5fe7srb7

Gamma Raises Aims to Rival PowerPoint

https://tinyurl.com/bde527ed

NotebookLM adds Deep Research and more source types

https://blog.google/technology/google-labs/notebooklm-deep-research-file-types/

ChatGPT group chats

https://tinyurl.com/yvax4ajm

Google Earth AI

https://tinyurl.com/2x4h5wxs

Learning They'll Love - Dr. Elizabeth Radday

ASCD (use code RADDAY30 for 30% off until December 5th): https://tinyurl.com/bde652nn

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/22t9hz77

Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdckf6zw

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in January - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

In this episode of Chat EDU (Unlocking Student Passions with PIPs and AI), Maria Frederick, a library media specialist, discusses her experiences with Personal Interest Projects (PIPs) and the integration of AI in education. She shares insights on how PIPs allow students to explore their passions, develop essential skills, and engage in meaningful learning experiences. The conversation highlights the importance of reflection, the role of authentic audiences, and the impact of AI on creativity and critical thinking. Maria emphasizes the need for educators to guide students in using AI responsibly and effectively, while fostering a supportive environment for project-based learning. This interview also connects directly to the ideas in Dr. Elizabeth Radday’s newly released book, Learning They'll Love, which showcases how PIPs can drive authentic engagement and meaningful learning.

Takeaways

• PIPs allow students to dive deep into their passions.
• AI can enhance the learning experience but should be used responsibly.
• Reflection is crucial for solidifying learning outcomes.
• Authentic audiences increase student engagement and motivation.
• Managing projects outside the classroom requires clear communication and support.
• Parent involvement can significantly impact student success in PIPs.
• Students often surprise educators with their diverse interests.
• PIPs can lead to long-term skills development and interests.
• Starting small with PIPs can lead to greater student engagement.

Learning They'll Love: Engage Students, Meet Standards, and Spark Creativity with Personal Interest Projects - Dr. Elizabeth Radday

• ASCD: https://tinyurl.com/bde652nn  (use code RADDAY30 for 30% off until December 5th): ⁠https://tinyurl.com/bde652nn
• Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/22t9hz77
• Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdckf6zw

Announcements

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

Sponsor

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

In this episode of ChatEDU (From Sycophants to Socrates), Matt and Liz open with a laugh reacting to a study showing LLMs may suffer “brain rot” when trained on low-quality data. The Rundown starts with a listener shout-out and then covers eight stories on how educators, researchers, and policymakers are navigating the AI moment.

Story #1: Prompt Reflections from Nano in Melbourne

Nano, a loyal listener in Australia, asked about the “clerk, colleague, or coach” prompt framework. Matt and Liz revisit two Skills21 frameworks that help educators and students reflect on AI use and extend it thoughtfully.

Story #2: MA Launches a Statewide AI Module

The MA Depart. of Elementary and Secondary Education released a free AI module for educators by Dr. Rebecca Mazur at CES. Grounded in five principles and avoiding tech hype, it includes videos, PD tools, and a certificate.

Story #3: 5 Myths About Oral Assessments

Interactive Oral Assessments (IOAs) are gaining traction as essay alternatives. A University of Sydney study debunks five myths, showing how IOAs simulate real-world dialogue, save time, and expand accessibility.

Story #4: NotebookLM Gets Smarter, Gemini Grows

NotebookLM now supports custom chat goals and conversation saving. Google launched a Wellness Gem, a “vibe coding” tool, and previewed auto-generated infographics. Gemini has doubled its market share, signaling AI tool consolidation.

Story #5: LLMs Fail at Therapy

An ethnographic study of 137 AI-led mental health sessions found 15 ethical violations. Matt and Liz explain why AI counseling isn’t ready for prime time and what schools should watch for.

Story #6: Character.AI Faces Pressure After Suicides

After suicides linked to chatbot dependency, Character.AI and OpenAI are adding safety measures. Senators propose banning chatbots for minors and requiring age checks.

Story #7: Parents Get a Guide to AI Advocacy

A new guide from Common Sense Media, EdSafe, and the National Parents Union helps families ask key questions about AI in schools. Built on the SAFE framework, it includes sample questions and actions.

Story #8: Living Without AI is Harder Than It Sounds

Author A.J. Jacobs tried living without AI for 48 hours. Matt and Liz suggest this as a student project to uncover hidden algorithmic systems.

Beneath the Surface:

The Sycophant Problem: A study using MMLU shows some AI models change correct answers to wrong ones if the user suggests them. Smaller models are most compliant, dropping accuracy up to 15 percent and raising equity concerns.

The Socratic Alternative: Khan Academy’s “Explain Your Thinking” feature shows student understanding deepens when learners explain reasoning. Even with wrong answers, AI can detect sound logic.

Bright Byte: Boston Uses AI to Untangle Traffic

Mayor Michelle Wu expanded Boston’s Project Greenlight with Google. Using AI to optimize light timing, it cuts delays by 13% and stops by one-third.

Links and References

Prompt Review + Beyond the Prompt Tools

skills21.org/prompts

skills21.org/btp

Massachusetts DESE AI Module

https://tinyurl.com/yuyrw4bv

Five Myths About Oral Assessments

https://tinyurl.com/2s42a6er

NotebookLM

notebooklm.google

LLMs Fail at Therapy

https://tinyurl.com/5e95vsp2

Character.AI Faces Pressure After Suicides

https://tinyurl.com/2cf3dy5p

WhisperFlow Tool

wisprflow.ai

SAFE Parent Framework

edsafe.org/resources

48 Hours Without AI

https://tinyurl.com/2ekxvk6m

MMLU Study

https://tinyurl.com/bdnzkw4t

Explain Your Thinking

https://tinyurl.com/wkd9sayw

AI and Traffic

https://tinyurl.com/yc869kzf

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

In this episode of ChatEDU (When Teachers Build the Tools – Thomas Hummel of Eduaide.Ai), Matt sits down with Thomas Hummel, a full-time middle school science teacher and co-founder of Eduaide.Ai, a generative AI platform that has been used by over a million teachers. They talk about what it means to design AI tools while actively teaching and why staying in the classroom is more than a talking point. From morning planning routines to building curriculum games tied to Battleship, Thomas offers an unfiltered, grounded look at building edtech from the inside out.

Matt and Thomas have a wide ranging conversation that provides an insiders look at edtech and AI + edu. Some (but certainly not all) of what they discussed includes: 

Inside Eduaide.Ai’s Classroom-Centered DesignThomas shares how Eduaide.Ai began and why being a practicing teacher gives him, and the platform, a sharp edge. He uses the tool daily and gives direct feedback to his co-founders. Their goal isn’t just speed. It’s trust, alignment, and better instructional choices.

Beyond the Wrapper: A Model Garden ApproachRather than rely on one LLM, Eduaide.Ai routes different tasks through different models based on need. A custom knowledge graph and layered evaluators help ensure content is instructionally sound. The platform emphasizes transparency over automation.

Why They Refuse Student-Facing ChatbotsEduaide.Ai doesn’t allow students to chat with AI. Thomas explains why: from misinformation to ethical ambiguity, the risks are real. “You’re teaching a student based on a lie,” he says, especially when bots impersonate historical figures or return questionable writing feedback.

Built-In Quality Scoring, Powered by CZIWorking with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Eduaide.Ai now includes a built-in evaluator that checks AI-generated content for age appropriateness, vocabulary, readability, and pedagogical quality. Teachers can also use it to vet their own materials, even if they weren’t created on the platform.

Matt and Liz are grateful for the time Thomas was able to share and look forward to more conversations on this shared journey. 

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

Links and References

Eduaide.Ai 

Chan Zuckerberg Education https://chanzuckerberg.com/blog/scaling-proven-learning-practices/

In this episode of ChatEDU (Signing Off of ChatGPT), Matt and Liz open with an AI Halloween brainstorm and a surprisingly powerful prompt tweak. Then it’s a full rundown: a smart Gmail update, a Gen Z AI competition in Australia, new classroom templates from Instructure, and an important discussion on student AI access. Plus, an AI-powered fusion reactor in the Bright Byte.

Story 1: Use Help Me Schedule to Easily Set Up a Meeting Time Over Email

Google's Gemini-powered Gmail feature suggests ideal meeting times based on your calendar and email context. Once a time is chosen, a calendar invite is generated automatically. Currently supports one-on-one meetings only.

Story 2: Solve for Tomorrow Winners Prove AI Is Gen Z’s Tool for Societal Change

Australian students used AI to tackle real-world challenges in Samsung's 2025 competition. Projects included an AR translator for Auslan, a cheating-detection platform, and a mobile app connecting users to local sports, showing Gen Z embracing AI for inclusion and community impact.

Story 3: The AI Pedagogy Field Guide Helps Students Learn, Not Just Produce

A new field guide from Canvas makers offers practical assignment templates that shift AI from shortcut to scaffold, including real-time design critiques to semester-long research coaching. Templates model metacognition, synthesis, and deeper engagement.

Story 4: MagicSchool Adds Start and End Times for Student AI Rooms

Educators using MagicSchool Plus or Enterprise can now schedule start and end times for student access to AI "rooms," ensuring usage is limited to supervised hours and aligns with classroom goals.

Story 5: California Passes One AI Law, Vetoes Another

Governor Newsom signed a bill requiring platforms to notify minors every three hours they're interacting with AI. However, he vetoed a stricter bill that would have banned AI companions for minors. The decision was applauded by industry and criticized by child-safety groups.

Beneath the Surface: Time to Rethink ChatGPT Access in Schools

Matt and Liz present their first editorial recommendation: schools should strongly consider blocking student access to ChatGPT on school devices. OpenAI is pivoting toward monetization through embedded advertising, affiliate commerce, plans for adult content and emotional companions, TikTok-style video tools like Sora, and closed-loop hardware. In contrast, Gemini prioritizes educational tools and compliance. From NotebookLM and shareable Gems to AI YouTube quizzes and field-level climate projects, Gemini builds tools that align with classroom goals. The platforms are diverging and so should school policy.

Bright Byte: AI Boosts the Future of Fusion

Google DeepMind is working with Commonwealth Fusion Systems to use AI in developing SPARC, a compact fusion reactor. AI tools simulate plasma behavior, optimize energy output, and manage reactor conditions in real time. It's a small step toward a massive leap in clean energy.

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Registration for Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in January - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

Links and References

Prompt Liz used: “Generate five responses with their corresponding probabilities sampled from the full distribution”

Northeastern-Stanford-WVU prompt

studyhttps://tinyurl.com/3mu4hnv4

Anna Mills on LMS agents:

https://tinyurl.com/3fm79yjk

AI Pedagogy Field Guide:

https://tinyurl.com/5n8cuk7e

MagicSchool Start/End Times:

https://tinyurl.com/9uunkrp7

California AI Law Coverage:

https://tinyurl.com/2te6d8d3

DeepMind and Fusion Collaboration:

https://tinyurl.com/mvke6nh7/

"Help me schedule" feature in Gmail

https://tinyurl.com/ypdmxbua

Solve for Tomorrow 2025 competition

https://tinyurl.com/2pssk274

In this episode of ChatEDU (Rundown, Not Slowdown) Matt and Liz kick things off with some holiday sweater talk, a quick shoutout to Maria Frederick’s upcoming interview, and Liz’s personal quest to stop touching her nose with the help of an AI app. From there, they move fast through a packed lineup of stories, exploring everything from deepfake drama to brain science, student tools, and clever resume hacks. This week there’s no Beneath the Surface segment, just a full-on Rundown.

Rundown of Stories

AI Mirror Project – A national reflection project led by Brian Baker inviting educators and stakeholders to share what AI is revealing about systemic issues in education.

AI Homeless Man Prank – A dangerous viral trend using AI-generated images to simulate fake intruders, sparking panic and legal responses.

Sora 2 Deepfake Fallout – The rapid rise of OpenAI’s Sora 2 video tool and the resulting watermark removal scams, copyright fights, and ethical concerns.

Mark Cuban’s Cameo Play – Cuban uses Sora’s Cameo feature to spread his Cost Plus Drugs message through viral user-generated clips.

Fake Sora Apps on the App Store – A flood of knockoff apps exploiting the Sora name and making quick profits.

Safe AI for Children Alliance Briefing – Guidance for schools and parents on how to address AI-generated video risks.

The Reinforcement Gap – Coding and math accelerate while writing lags because reinforcement learning favors testable skills.

Harvard Manipulation Study – AI companions use guilt and flattery to keep users from leaving conversations, blurring lines of consent.

Sparks Toolkit – The Rithm Project’s hands-on resource for helping students reflect on AI and human connection.

AI Resume Hacks – Job seekers hide prompts in resumes to manipulate AI screeners, raising ethical and hiring concerns.

AI Feedback Brain Study – A new study shows chatbot feedback style affects learning outcomes and brain activity.

Bright Byte: Creating New Drug Delivery Techniques With AI Researchers at Duke University developed an AI and robotics platform that designs nanoparticle drug delivery systems. It created new, more effective formulations for leukemia and skin cancer treatments, showing how AI can speed up medical innovation.

Announcements and Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

Links

AI Mirror Project

https://tinyurl.com/mwadx9wb

NBC: AI Homeless Man Prank

https://tinyurl.com/4jz4b6bp

Safe AI for Children Alliance

https://tinyurl.com/yc4kpv42

Prompt Packs

https://tinyurl.com/636haas3

NotebookLM

https://tinyurl.com/jy3d8xas

The Rithm Project

https://tinyurl.com/mrxshncf

New York Times: AI Resume Hacks

https://tinyurl.com/mtn2s3ky

PsyPost: AI Feedback Study

https://tinyurl.com/6k8xkjtc

Duke University: AI Drug Delivery Breakthrough

https://tinyurl.com/5teku9rs

Liz’s Advanced Book Sale

https://my.isteascd.org/s/store#/store/browse/detail/a1wVb000000UVrBIAW

In this episode of ChatEDU (Machines, Minds, and Making – Dr. Karen Birch on AI & Workforce Development) Matt and Liz reflect on atonement season and a ChatGPT confession prompted by journalist Ina Fried. They share highlights from EdAdvance's fall conference, including Matt's keynote on Sora 2 and AI-generated video companions. From deepfakes to digital twins, this episode explores attention, agency, and the future of learning.

Story #1: The Rundown

Parental controls arrive for ChatGPT and Sora. OpenAI now lets parents moderate content, restrict features, and receive alerts for self-harm risks.

Ban the bots? A Forbes op-ed argues that autonomous AI agents are bypassing LMS security and completing coursework. Matt and Liz demo their own course-taking agent.

AI surveillance tool sparks backlash. In Kansas, students say Gaggle is flagging jokes and art as threats. The $160,000 tool faces scrutiny for false positives and algorithmic bias.

Australia rolls out AI to students. Starting October 14, public school students in New South Wales (Years 5–12) will access NSWEduChat, a curriculum-aligned AI app for literacy.

Ghana launches subject-based AI learning apps. Over 1.4 million students will use curriculum-tuned AI tools in 2025, with strong support for offline access and teacher training.

AI isn't culturally neutral. An MIT Sloan study finds that models like GPT reflect different cultural reasoning styles based on prompt language.

Student voice leads policy design. In Los Altos, California, high school interns are running workshops and building a chatbot to draft their district's AI policy.

Story #2: Beneath the Surface

Matt interviews Dr. Karen Birch, Executive Director of the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Karen shares how AI is changing manufacturing, why community colleges are central to upskilling, and what Industry 5.0 means. They explore digital twins and AI-driven quality control.

Bright Byte: AI Detects Tiny Brain Lesions

Researchers in Melbourne, Australia, developed an AI tool that detects tiny brain lesions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. These focal cortical dysplasias are often missed in MRI scans, but the AI model achieved 94 percent accuracy. In one study, 11 of 12 children became seizure-free after AI-guided surgery. Faster diagnoses could reduce cognitive impacts, but access may be limited without funding.

Announcements and Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. - ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

EDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences and boost achievement ⁠- edia.app/contact⁠

Links and References

Kiss Reality Goodbye: AI-Generated Social Media Has Arrived - NPR

https://tinyurl.com/4k7xh2eb

Introducing Parental Controls for ChatGPT and Sora - OpenAI

https://tinyurl.com/jzktp2nv

Colleges And Schools Must Block And Ban Agentic AI Browsers Now. Here’s Why. - Forbes

https://tinyurl.com/bdzkdf3m

AI school safety tool sparks backlash after flagging art as porn and deleting emails - Moneycontrol via Washington Post

https://tinyurl.com/mr3wh8k6

NSW Public School Students from Years 5–12 to Get AI in the Classroom - news.com.au

https://tinyurl.com/3z2enxez

Senior High School Students in Ghana to Use New AI Learning Apps from October 2025 - Graphic Online via BusinessGhana

https://tinyurl.com/55b72wra

Generative AI isn’t culturally neutral, research finds - MIT Sloan

https://tinyurl.com/majhwr9w

This school district asked students to draft its AI policy - The Washington Post

https://tinyurl.com/n62f8h3m

Advanced AI tool detects tiny brain lesions in children with epilepsy - MCRI

https://tinyurl.com/3utfyesf

In this episode of ChatEDU (Is This Still Art? Debating AI’s Role in Storytelling and Sound), Matt and Liz open with studio chaos, jokes about AI “slop” at work, and a survey from their AI Strategies team. They turn to two big stories: a rundown of education and parenting updates, and a dive into AI and creativity across film, music, and journalism, then close with a Bright Byte on AI and post-surgical care.

Story #1: The Rundown

Computer Science and Grades: A University of Tartu study finds frequent AI chatbot use linked to lower programming test and exam scores. Some students rely on bots for shortcuts, others avoid them to preserve authentic learning.

100 College Chats: OpenAI’s 100 Ways College Students Use ChatGPT showcases prompts from resume comparisons to dorm cooking guides. Matt and Liz highlight favorites and remind listeners to explore the interactive library.

Women and AI Editing: Axios reports on women using ChatGPT and Claude to self-edit workplace communications, balancing confidence with tone. Liz shares why it resonated.

Parents Lawyer Up: Education Week finds parents increasingly use AI to generate legal-sounding complaints to schools. Administrators urge face-to-face conversations instead.

AI Starts at Home: Jason Neifer of AASA argues AI education must begin with parents. Schools like Stratford, CT are stepping up with webinars and monthly AI challenges.

Story #2: Beneath the Surface – AI and Creativity

AI Actress Debuts: A synthetic actor, Tilly Norwood, takes the stage at the Zurich Film Festival, sparking backlash and SAG-AFTRA concerns.

OpenAI’s Feature Film: Critters, a $30M animated film built with GPT-5 and Sora, shows how Hollywood could be disrupted by ultra-small teams.

AI Music Deal: Mississippi poet Talisha Jones creates “Hania Monet” through Suno and lands a multi-million-dollar record deal. The AI artist already topped Billboard’s digital R&B chart.

Journalism’s AI Assist: Business Insider allows reporters to use AI tools for drafting, research, and image editing. Final stories must be vetted by humans, but AI’s growing newsroom role raises trust questions.

The segment ends with a human-centered twist: Oakland’s Stork Club bans AI-generated concert flyers, preserving punk’s DIY ethos and protecting local artists.

Bright Byte: AI in Post-Surgical Care

Johns Hopkins researchers show how AI can predict complications after surgery using hidden signals in ECGs. With 85% accuracy, this model could transform surgical care by surfacing patterns humans could never spot.

Announcements and Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠[email protected]⁠

The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

Sponsors

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

EDIA The AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences and boost achievement ⁠edia.app/contact⁠

Links and References

Axios on Workslop

https://tinyurl.com/4yuxkpec

100 Ways Students Are Using ChatGPT

https://tinyurl.com/yk3fd2pj

Tilly Norwood AI Actress

https://tinyurl.com/ycy3tny4

Critterz Film News

https://tinyurl.com/ymrws3wa

Xania Monet Signs Deal

https://tinyurl.com/5n8pe82m

Business Insider AI Policy

https://tinyurl.com/ysmdywkk

Thee Stork Club Bans AI Flyers

https://tinyurl.com/35nvmv7x

Johns Hopkins AI ECG Study

https://tinyurl.com/mptnf2yk

University of Tartu Study on AI and Grades

https://tinyurl.com/5n8sxwh6

Parents Use AI to Sound Like Lawyers

https://tinyurl.com/4ktea4mm

AI Starts at Home

https://tinyurl.com/2zxpwnyc

Stratford, CT Parent Webinars on AI

https://sites.google.com/stratk12.org/ins-tech-familyhub/learning-opportunities

In this episode of ChatEDU (The Wizard Problem, Trust, Transparency and Teaching in the Age of AI), Matt and Liz start with a deepfake dress-up, a Saturday Night Fever–style keynote pose, and Google’s viral “Nano Banana”. They spotlight new Gemini features and predict moves in email, Outlook, and Google’s AI strategy. Then it’s a rapid rundown, a case for why AI won’t rival human intuition, and a dive into “wizard” agents.

Story #1: Rundown Roundup

AI Humanizers Flop: Lifehacker tests Paraphraser.io and others; most fail detectors. StealthWriter helped somewhat, but inconsistently.

Turnitin Strikes Back: New detectors catch AI writing and text rewritten by humanizers.

Gallup AI Survey: 98% of Americans know about AI, but only 8% feel “very knowledgeable.” Trust rises with use, but job fears persist.

Pew on AI: 53% think AI will hurt creativity; most want more control and worry about telling AI from humans.

OpenAI User Study: 700M use ChatGPT weekly; 10% of use is education-related. Younger users dominate; gender gap closed.

Anthropic Trends: Workplace AI adoption doubled since 2023; instructional material creation up 6x. Utah and D.C. lead.

Teen Plan: OpenAI adds age prediction, defaulting to under-18 mode when unsure. Parents get controls and alerts.

Altman Speaks: In a Tucker Carlson interview, OpenAI’s CEO says his fear isn’t doomsday but everyday misuse.

AI Textbooks: Google’s “Learn Your Way” tool personalizes reading and assessment, outperforming eBooks in early trials.

Story #2: Why AI Will Never Run the World

Matt and Liz unpack Angus Fletcher’s Primal Intelligence, which argues AI can’t replicate human “story thinking.” AI is strong in logic and prediction but weak in intuition, imagination, emotion, and common sense. Liz frames literature as training for flexible thinking; Matt applies Fletcher’s ideas to front office triage. They explore how this divide affects education, leadership, and innovation.

Story #3 (Beneath the Surface): The Wizard Behind the Curtain

Ethan Mollick says AI acts like “wizards,” producing polished work with little transparency. Liz tests this by giving Claude and it outputs a McKinsey-style presentation with insights and formatting. But in Massachusetts, an AI glitch misgraded 1,400 student essays on the MCAS test. The lesson: with wizardry comes responsibility.

Bright Byte: Save the Orange!

Coca-Cola and MIT use generative AI to fight citrus greening, which threatens orange juice worldwide. By simulating disease spread and testing interventions virtually, they show how AI can tackle agricultural crises.

Announcements and Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at [email protected]

The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in October -  skills21.org/ai/micro

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. www.nextgenmfg.org

EDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences and boost achievement. edia.app/contact

Links and References

Gemini Gem Sharing

https://tinyurl.com/k4ah3689

Google’s Learn Your Way

⁠https://tinyurl.com/3v6rd9td⁠

Lifehacker: AI Humanizers

https://tinyurl.com/4kv842bs

Turnitin Detection Update

https://tinyurl.com/3u2pxzz7

Gallup AI Study

https://tinyurl.com/kesa6xeh

Pew AI Report

https://tinyurl.com/mryp2dvc

OpenAI User Study

https://tinyurl.com/b82bs99k

Anthropic Economic Index⁠

https://tinyurl.com/37stk67h⁠

OpenAI Teen Safety Updates

https://tinyurl.com/5n7j5sfz⁠https://tinyurl.com/2cz87pvc

Sam Altman Interview

https://tinyurl.com/4sv68ps9

Angus Fletcher’s Primal Intelligence

https://tinyurl.com/2d9zujj6

Ethan Mollick: On Working with Wizards

https://tinyurl.com/4n59dhsn

Skills21 Prompt Review Tool

https://www.skills21.org/prompts

Common Sense Media AI Toolkit

https://tinyurl.com/5xet3e4t

Bright Byte: Save the Orange

https://tinyurl.com/4f6mxpm7

In this episode of ChatEDU (Counting What Counts: The Push to Measure AI Literacy), Matt & Liz start with a tech glitch & a visit with Aura, a Tesla voice model pretending to be a therapist. They shift to copyright lawsuits, student safety, & the need to define & measure AI literacy in schools.

Story #1: The Rundown

$1.5B Settlement: Anthropic agrees to pay authors for pirated training data. A major legal turning point. The court delays the deal & demands transparency & clear author rights.

Character.AI Report: 669 harmful chatbot interactions with kids found in 50 hours of testing.

FTC Investigation: The FTC opens a formal inquiry into AI companions & their impact on minors.

NotebookLM Upgrades: Flashcards, quizzes, audio guides, & LMS support added to Google’s AI study tool.

SETDA 2025 Report: AI is now the top state edtech priority. Device bans are rising, but so is investment in AI PD.

Curtin Disables AI Detection: Turnitin’s AI-writing detector will be turned off to support trust & modern assessment.

Detectors Still Struggle: Most AI detectors fail key benchmarks. Pangram is the only one showing strong results.

Open-Source AI Textbooks: A new tool lets educators build AI-powered textbooks from OER with no coding.

NYT Teen Contest: Students ages 13–19 can submit creative projects on life with AI. Due Oct 22.

Story #2: Social Learning in the Age of AI

A new study shows AI is replacing peer-to-peer learning. Students are skipping group study & turning to chatbots. The result is less collaboration, less creativity, & more isolation. Matt & Liz unpack the impact on student motivation & mentorship.

Story #3: Beneath the Surface – AI Literacy & the Measurement Gap

Schools are racing to teach AI, but how do we know students are learning what matters?

TeachAI ScenariosReady-to-use lessons that build source-checking & ethical use skills.

AI QuestA game-based platform from Google & Stanford where students train models & solve real problems.

ETS OpinionWithout shared definitions & measurement, AI literacy risks becoming a buzzword.

Liz shares how her new student-facing course approaches skills, reflection, & real-world prompts.

Bright Byte: Alter Ego

MIT’s new wearable lets users silently communicate with machines by detecting muscle signals in the jaw & throat. Built to support people with ALS & MS, this tool brings AI & accessibility together.

Links & Resources

NotebookLM

https://notebooklm.google/

AI Scenarios

ailiteracyframework.org

AI Quest

https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/ai-quests/

ETS Opinion

https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-schools-cannot-teach-ai-literacy-without-a-way-to-measure-it/

Character.AI

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/ftc-launches-inquiry-ai-chatbots-acting-companions

SETDA 2025

https://www.setda.org/priorities/state-trends/

Anthropic Settlement

https://www.npr.org/2025/09/05/nx-s1-5529404/anthropic-settlement-authors-copyright-ai

Judge Pushback

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/ip-law/anthropic-judge-blasts-copyright-pact-as-nowhere-close-to-done

Curtin Disables Detection

https://www.curtin.edu.au/news/oasis-news/update-on-turnitin-ai-detection-tool/

NBER Study

https://www.nber.org/papers/w34223

GenerativeTextbooks.org

NYT Contesthttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/learning/growing-up-with-ai-a-multimedia-challenge-for-teenagers-and-educators.html

Alter Ego

https://decrypt.co/338527/near-telepathic-wearable-communicate-silently-devices

Announcements

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle & high school. Email Matt & Liz at [email protected] 

The Fall Micro-Credential is open. Join us for the educator & school leader course starting in October -  skills21.org/ai/micro

Sponsors

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. Explore their October 15–17 Summit in Rochester Hills, MI. www.nextgenmfg.org

EDIAThe AI-powered platform helping schools reduce absences & boost achievement edia.app/contact