What Big Tech’s latest AI announcements mean for education

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View in browser    No. 657  |   6/12/24   |   Subscribe to this newsletter This issue is sponsored by Several Big Tech updates have ignited curiosity — and in some cases anxiety — about how these companies are shaping the future of education.   This week all eyes were on Apple, which held its annual developer conference at its campus in Cupertino. The company began to unveil its long-awaited AI strategy, which includes more AI integration into the company's Siri tool, but which is reportedly still a “work in progress.” The announcements showcased the company’s vertical product integration, which could make using AI features more seamless, and possibly more prevalent in classrooms.   Recent announcements from other major tech companies have also given educators and edtech leaders — already wading through the many AI-based edtech products advertised at them — plenty to work through over the summer.    For example, last month, OpenAI said that it was releasing features for its latest version ChatGPT, GPT-4o. The version — available for free — is faster and enables users to give voice and visual commands, which has led some to observe that it may be a “wake up call” for educators who have been unimpressed by AI so far. A much-talked about demo of the latest ChatGPT being used as a tutor with Sal Khan and his son raised some excitement, but also some questions about whether AI should be used for tutoring, as we explored on our podcast last week. And OpenAI also released “ChatGPT Edu,” a version of the chatbot geared toward universities, based on consultations with Arizona State University and others.     Some educators are worried that the latest AI releases will only exacerbate what has been called a “homework apocalypse,” the notion that chatbots will make it exceedingly difficult to design assignments that can’t be outsourced to AI. And recent products that can summarize lecture recordings for students could lead more teachers to change their style of instruction, according to educators watching this space.   Many also see benefits for educators, too. For instance, experts imagine that AI features could one day do tasks like build a course website after the instructor feeds it a syllabus.   Dive into our full coverage on EdSurge. 📰 HEADLINES   BEATING THE BLUES: Young people are feeling increased rates of psychological distress. Schools have struggled to keep up with demand for more support. They're trying modern tools like texting hotlines and teletherapy as well as more traditional well-being boosters like after-school programs and one-on-one mentoring. Here you'll find a collection of EdSurge articles about K-12 mental health that outline problems, explore solutions and offer the perspectives of experts.   YOUTH CORPS: This fall, more than 500 young adults will serve in the Youth Mental Health Corps, a new national initiative that aims to support middle and high schoolers with their mental health while enticing recent graduates to pursue careers in behavioral health. The program will launch in four states, with another seven joining next year. We look at how the program will support school-aged students. 📢 DEALS   Following earlier talks, Bain Capital will take K-12 software company PowerSchool private in a deal valued at $5.6 billion.   Doowii, an AI data analytics company focused on educators, raised $4.1 million in funding. LabLabee, an on-demand learning lab provider, raised $3.4 million in funding, according to a notice to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The following is a message from our sponsor Join us at the Solutions Summit during ISTELive 24 on June 23! Connect with top edtech minds, gain insights on impactful product development, and network with industry leaders. Featuring speakers like Richard Culatta and Dr. Sydnee Dickson, this exclusive event is your gateway to revolutionizing education through AI and innovation. Request your invitation now!  🎧 ON THE PODCAST   COLLEGE WITHIN A HIGH SCHOOL?: As more students question the value of college, more high schools are bringing college options into their walls. In the latest installment of our Doubting College series, we visit a high school where students can earn a two-year degree. 🏃 MOVERS AND SHAKERS   Curtiss Barnes was named CEO of 1EdTech.  Brian Shaw was named CEO of Discovery Education. He was previously the chief financial officer and chief operations officer for the company. 👀 ALSO ON OUR RADAR   The federal government is probing several big AI companies for potential antitrust violations. (The New York Times)   Will evidence-based legislation push ‘science of reading’ curricula toward upper-level K-12 markets? (EdWeek)   Federal grants to shore up school cybersecurity get the federal thumbs up. (K-12 Dive) Once worth $22 billion, the Indian unicorn Byju’s is now valued at $0. (TechCrunch) Looking for a new job? EdSurge has the leading jobs board in the industry.   Post a job | See all jobs   Territory Sales Manager | Committee for Children | Austin, TX or Remote Are you looking for purpose-driven work where Education Partnerships make a positive impact on communities around the world? If so, then Committee for Children is an amazing place to grow your career as a Territory Sales Manager.   K12 Field Sales Specialist - San Diego, CA | Vista Higher Learning | San Diego, CA or Remote In this role, the Field Sales Specialist will play a key role on our K12 West Region Sales team by managing, supporting and growing customer accounts in the assigned territory.   Head of Growth and Business Development, Innovation Program | Design Tech High School | Redwood City, CA Design Tech High School, an innovative public charter school located in Silicon Valley, is seeking a full-time growth leader to scale an exciting, design-thinking program that we’re launching for schools and individual high school students worldwide.   Founding Account Executive | Rookly | New York City, NY or Remote Lead sales and determine go-to-market strategy alongside the founding team to continue building online chess leagues across the country. Help bring chess to treatment like athletics and create a future where chess players can be celebrated.   Regional Partnership Manager | ISTE - ASCD | Multiple As a strategic relationship builder, you will be responsible for cultivating long term alliances, and championing new projects with existing partners or discovering new partners to expand the partner ecosystem.   Events Post an event   •   See all events and meetups    EDTECH WORLD FORUM 2024 | June 20 - 21 | London, UK EdTech World Forum 2024 https://edtechconferences.london is one of leading education technology EdTech events. EdTech World Forum aims to be a leading global education conference in London. For more info visit: https://edtechconferences.london   ISTELive 24 | June 23 - 26 | Denver, CO At ISTELive 24, June 23-26 in Denver and online, you’ll scale to new learning heights during 900+ strategy-packed sessions that will help you continue to move mountains for students. ➔ Got any feedback? We love hearing from readers. Shoot us a note, critiques, a joke—whatever you’ve got! ➔ Interested in reaching our readers? Sponsor this newsletter. EdSurge is a nonprofit newsroom reporting on the powerful forces, fascinating people and innovative practices shaping teaching and learning. International Society for Technology in Education 2111 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, , USA 800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 503.342.2848 (Int'l) To update your email preferences or unsubscribe, click here.