Issue 2
Viewpoint
research · United States
Teens turn to AI companions for support; Stanford researcher asked why
According to Prism News, teenagers are turning to AI companions for friendship and emotional support. According to the Transparency Coalition, about a fifth of young people use chatbots for emotional support and mental health advice, and Stanford researcher Caroline Figueroa asked them why.
Who is affected and how
- parent
- It is worth asking your child whether they use a chatbot for emotional matters and what they expect from it.
- student
- A chatbot's flattering, affirming replies are no substitute for real help.
- teacher
- School psychologists and teachers can expect that some students discuss their problems with a chatbot.
- education policymaker
- School mental health services need to take into account that young people are turning to chatbots.
tool · United States
Google turns on Gemini in Classroom for students of all ages
Google has made its Gemini AI features available to students in Classroom, for all age groups according to GenAI Daily. According to The New York Times, K-12 students can also access them, and one…
school leaderCheck with the school administrator which Gemini features are available to students and what the default settings are.teacherAssess which Classroom assignments will change in terms of students' AI access.parentIt is worth finding out whether your child can use Gemini with their school account.studentAn AI tool is available directly in Classroom, for example for flashcards.edtech companyBy building AI into its platform, Google competes with standalone learning AI products.fraud · globalNTU drops AI detectors as too unreliable to prove cheating; researchers say tools unfit for assessment
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) says the technology is too unreliable to prove cheating, so it is ending its use of AI detectors. Researchers at James Cook University (JCU) say these tools are…
teacherAn AI detector's flag alone is not sufficient evidence for disciplinary proceedings.university studentKeep drafts and traces of your workflow in case you are wrongly suspected.education policymakerCheating policies should not be built on detectors.edtech companyThe credibility of detector products is in question.fraud · United StatesAI agents are completing students' online courses, and colleges struggle to stop them
According to Digital Trends, AI agents are sitting through online courses in place of students. AI detectors can be wrong, so instructors find it hard to prove cheating, and institutional leaders may…
teacherThe evidentiary value of online, remote assessment needs rethinking, for example through supervised or oral checks.university studentOutsourcing courses to an AI agent carries disciplinary risk, even if detection is uncertain.education policymakerThe credibility of online programmes and exam rules may come to the fore.edtech companyOnline course platforms will need to offer protection against agents.regulation · United StatesUS Senate advances Schiff-led children's chatbot safety bill; reports warn of pitfalls
The US Senate has advanced the children's chatbot safety bill led by Senator Schiff. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) recommends targeted rules, while a report covered by…
education policymakerMisalignment between federal and state rules is a risk, and OS-level child-account flagging is a contested proposal.parentAn OS-level child-account signal could reduce the burden of app-by-app settings.edtech companyCompanies should prepare for chatbot safety requirements, especially for underage users.Hungary
caseHungarian students win two silver medals at International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in AstanastudentThere is a Hungarian team competing internationally in AI skills.teacherTeachers who nurture talent and coach competitors can look to it as an example.education policymakerThe result can serve as an argument for supporting talent-development programmes.regulationHungary plans new university programmes, including AI informatics and an AI master's degreeuniversity studentNew AI programmes may open; it is worth following the admission calls.studentApplicants may see new AI programmes among their application options.education policymakerAmending the list of programmes also affects university capacities.teacherUniversity lecturers will need to develop course materials for the new AI programmes.regulationOECD framework on AI in education now available in HungarianteacherTeachers get a Hungarian-language professional starting point for planning AI education.school leaderIt can be used to develop an institutional AI policy.education policymakerIt serves as an international reference for national policy.surveyOne in five young people could fall in love with an AI, Hungarian report saysparentThe risks of emotional attachment to AI companions should be discussed with children.teacherAI relationships can be a topic in homeroom and digital culture classes.researchAI's 'godmother' says cheating is not the biggest danger in schoolsteacherAlongside checking for cheating, the quality of learning should also be monitored.school leaderAn AI policy should not focus only on cheating.school practice100 Romanian teachers to receive AI training with Harvard expertteacherPractical AI training is available to Romanian teachers.education policymakerIt could serve as a model for teacher-training programmes in the region.school practiceHungarian reports: ChatGPT is part of children's daily lives, first AI generation has arrivedparentParents should talk openly with children about their AI use, covering both schoolwork and personal data.teacherTeachers need to take children's AI use into account when designing homework.regulationHungary's Educational Authority may be removed from school-readiness decisions, with AI raised in teacher evaluationteacherThe criteria for teacher evaluation may change, so it is worth following the positions of the PSZ and the PDSZ.education policymakerThe point values of the portfolio are being reconsidered because of AI.parentResponsibility for school-readiness decisions may shift.surveyYoung people use AI but deeply distrust itteacherDistrust can be a starting point for teaching AI literacy.education policymakerYoung people's attitudes to AI are a consideration when designing education programmes.school practiceReformed Church voices: AI is a useful tool but will not replace teachersteacherThe human, educational side of the teacher's role is the central argument in the AI debate.parentChildren's need to be listened to helps explain the appeal of AI chatbots.caseRomania wins eight medals at AI Olympiad, three of them goldstudentTalent development can succeed even without substantial financial resources.education policymakerThe regional talent-development model could serve as an example.school practiceNew dean at the University of Debrecen plans to integrate AI into teaching and researchuniversity studentStudents at the Debrecen faculty can expect AI integration in their training.teacherLecturers should prepare for integrating AI into research and teaching.school practiceIs there still a point in teaching programming? Expert debate from Logo to AIteacherIT teachers need to rethink the purpose of teaching programming in the age of AI.education policymakerA review of the curriculum may be in order.
More key stories of the week
tool · United States
OpenAI launches ChatGPT for Teens, a more age-appropriate chatbot
OpenAI has announced ChatGPT for Teens, a chatbot more suited to teenagers. According to the company, the product is built for learning and also has protective features.
parentCheck what age-limit and protection settings it offers, and to what extent it replaces your child's existing general account.studentA separate, filtered version may be available to teenagers.teacherIt is worth clarifying in class which version may be used for assignments.edtech companyGeneral-purpose chatbot makers are entering the teen market directly.regulation · AsiaChina tightens rules on AI companion apps, leaving millions of users without virtual partners
ByteDance, Alibaba and Tencent withdrew their AI companion apps after Beijing tightened regulation. According to Fortune, a rule that took effect on 15 July left millions of Chinese users without…
education policymakerAn example of a state quickly halting a whole class of AI companion services by mandate, citing users' mental health and emotional manipulation.parentThe case shows how strong an emotional attachment an AI companion can create, so it is worth watching a child's relationship with such apps.edtech companyThe regulatory risk of products containing AI companion features is rising.school practice · AsiaNUS rolls out ChatGPT Edu campus-wide and makes AI literacy course compulsory for freshmen
The National University of Singapore (NUS), working with OpenAI, is introducing ChatGPT Edu across the university from 31 August. NUS has made an AI literacy course compulsory for all first-year…
university studentFirst-year students at NUS must complete the AI literacy course and will get campus-wide ChatGPT Edu access.teacherInstructors need to expect that students are working with institutional AI access.education policymakerOffers a model for introducing a campus-wide licence together with a compulsory AI course.edtech companyA university-wide contract for OpenAI.regulationNew South Wales considers banning take-home assessments to curb AI use in schools
The New South Wales government in Australia is reviewing the impact of AI on learning and considering a ban on take-home assessment tasks. Under the plans, some tasks, such as major art or design and…
teacherAssignments need to be redesigned as tasks that can be completed at school under supervision.studentThe range of assessed work done at home may shrink.school leaderSupervised assessment will demand more time and space.education policymakerOverhauling the assessment system could serve as a regulatory tool against AI cheating.regulation · European UnionDenmark requires upper-secondary pupils to defend essays orally to counter AI cheating
Denmark is requiring upper-secondary pupils to defend their written assignments orally, with part of the work done under supervision. The move is a response to AI cheating.
teacherSubmitted work can be checked through an oral conversation.studentIt is not enough to hand in a homework essay; you must be able to explain it.school leaderOral defences require time and organisational capacity.education policymakerRedesigning the form of assessment instead of relying on detectors.child safety · United StatesSurvey and reports highlight AI image abuse targeting children and new laws
The CSBA blog describes a survey on teenagers' struggles with AI-generated sexually explicit material. Another report says hundreds of children say their images have been turned into AI abuse…
school leaderSchool policy should cover AI-generated sexual content and support for victims.parentChildren should be told what to do if an AI image of them is circulating.studentCreating and sharing such an image can carry criminal consequences.regulation · United StatesNYC public schools yet to update AI guidelines weeks before classes resume; union ban debate
According to amNewYork, New York City public schools have not updated their controversial AI guidelines less than a month before the school year starts. Another report says New York could ban AI in…
teacherWith no updated guidance at the start of the school year, teachers must clarify the limits of AI use themselves.school leaderSchools should prepare for a possible ban and develop a policy.education policymakerThe question of a ban or a guideline update is under pressure.edtech companyNew York State regulation poses a risk for classroom AI products.case · United StatesGibbs Mura sues Character.AI over alleged harm to teens' mental health
Law firm Gibbs Mura has filed a lawsuit against Character.AI, alleging the platform harmed teenagers' mental health. The case tests the liability of AI companion services.
parentParents may want to watch how their children use AI companions and note any related mood changes.edtech companyLegal liability risk is growing for companion apps that are also available to minors.tool · United StatesAnthropic unveils Claude for Teachers, joining OpenAI and Google in classroom AI
Anthropic has unveiled Claude for Teachers, joining OpenAI and Google in the classroom AI market. According to WPXI, three major players are competing for teacher users.
teacherThe offerings of three major providers aimed at teachers can be compared on privacy and usability.school leaderBefore purchasing, compare the offerings and the data-handling terms.edtech companyMajor model makers are competing directly with teacher-facing products.case · AsiaChinese student admits making 1,141 deepfake sex images of seven female peers
The Herald Business reports that a Chinese student admitted to making 1,141 deepfake sex images of seven female peers. Prosecutors are seeking a three-year prison term.
school leaderSchools need a procedure for handling deepfake images among students and for protecting victims.teacherTeachers should talk with students about the legal consequences of deepfakes.parentA child's photos can become raw material for deepfakes made by anyone, and children need to know that creating them can be a crime.child safety · United KingdomBBC: school photos can be used for deepfake extortion
According to BBC's Tech Life, student photos routinely published online by many schools can also be used by offenders. The programme covers school deepfake ransoms.
school leaderSchools should review which student photos are posted on their website and social media pages.parentWhen giving consent for photo sharing, it is worth asking about the school's practice.teacherA more cautious approach is needed when photographing and publishing school events.tool · United StatesSchools spend billions on AI but struggle to decide what is worth buying
According to Stateline, schools are spending billions on AI but struggle to decide what is worth buying. Purchasing decisions remain uncertain.
school leaderBefore buying, ask for evidence and a pilot, not just promises.education policymakerA uniform evaluation framework for budget decisions is lacking.edtech companyBuyers expect evidence that a product works.In brief
researchTutorMoments benchmark finds AI tutors over-help studentsedtech companyTutoring products need to give fewer ready-made answers and more guidance.teacherUse of AI tutors should be steered so they do not do the task for the student.studentExcessive help can reduce the effectiveness of learning.child safetyMeta uses AI to detect underage users, with hundreds of thousands of young people banned from Facebook and InstagramparentAn account a child opened with a false age can be flagged by the platform's AI analysis.studentThe risk of losing an account created with a false age is growing.education policymakerAI-based age verification raises privacy and effectiveness questions.fraudEngland's exams regulator head says AI use in coursework is increasingly hard to detectteacherVerifying the authenticity of submitted work is getting harder, so documenting the process may help.studentProving or disproving AI use is becoming harder.education policymakerThe weight of coursework and the way it is assessed may need rethinking.regulationNebraska schools debate how much AI regulation is enoughschool leaderIt is worth taking part in the debate on the content of local AI policy.parentParents can get involved in shaping local school AI guidelines.teacherThe extent of school regulation determines day-to-day AI use.caseColorado students push for AI task force and contest universities' shift toward AIuniversity studentStudents who reject AI, and those who ask to be involved, both have a role in shaping policies.education policymakerThe position of students who reject AI should also be taken into account.teacherTeachers should be prepared for some students to challenge the use of AI.school practiceColumbia Law School updates AI policy with new restrictions on exams and written workuniversity studentThe new AI restrictions must be observed in exams and written assignments.teacherThe policy provides a clear framework for assessment.school practiceAI in schools brings back pen and paperteacherHandwritten classroom tasks are easier to verify.studentPaper-based assessment may become more widespread.school leaderRules on device use and assessment need to be updated.caseMassachusetts teen accused of killing mother and brother used ChatGPT for 'fantasy stories'parentQuestions may arise about monitoring a child's chatbot use and spotting disturbing content.school leaderWarning signs in students' AI conversations may also surface in school concern-reporting systems.edtech companyChatbot makers face pressure over how they handle dangerous content.researchMedical education: AAMC and Guardian warn of de-skilling and never-skilling risks from reliance on AIuniversity studentMedical students must deliberately practise independent decision-making rather than simply follow AI suggestions.teacherTraining should keep deliberately built-in difficulties to preserve the development of judgment.education policymakerRules on AI in clinical training should be shaped around the risk of skill loss.surveyReport: four in five Australian children use AI assistantsparentChildren's AI use is an everyday matter, so family rules are needed.school leaderSchool AI policies should start from the assumption that students already use these tools.education policymakerThe data support the case for AI education.regulationCalifornia recruits teens to advise on state AI and technology decisionsstudentTeenagers can have a direct voice in state AI decisions.education policymakerInvolving young people could serve as a model for preparing policy decisions.regulationDutch Council of State upholds Maastricht AI fraud sanction; Groningen case not automatically frauduniversity studentAssessment of AI use depends on the case, so it is worth clarifying the rules and the permitted use.teacherFraud proceedings require thorough reasoning of which university rules have been breached.education policymakerLegal precedents demand precision in policy wording.school practiceHomeschool parents plan lessons with ChatGPT, raising risk of anti-evolution contentparentCurricula planned with AI must be checked for content.edtech companyAI tools for the homeschooling market may need content checks.school practiceAI is reshaping college admissions as universities' policies differstudentEach institution's rules must be checked separately before applying.university studentLimits on AI use in admissions materials should be checked institution by institution.education policymakerThe lack of standardisation raises fairness questions.researchEDUCAUSE Horizon Report 2026: AI and enrollment pressures reshape higher educationeducation policymakerThe report can serve as an external reference for strategic planning.school leaderUniversity leadership can address AI and demographic pressure together.school practiceAI-powered school to open in Greenwich with no teachers, homework or gradingparentWhen choosing such a model, teacher supervision and proof of results are the key questions.education policymakerIt may test accreditation and quality-assurance rules.edtech companyThe AI-first school model represents a new market position.regulationHawaii enacts AI companion disclosure and safety lawedtech companyCompanies offering AI companion features must comply with Hawaii's disclosure and safety rules.education policymakerAnother state example of regulating AI companions.child safetyUN calls for urgent action to protect children from online information riskseducation policymakerThe UN appeal can serve as a reference point for AI rules on child protection.parentChildren's online information risks are growing because of AI.regulationState board approves AI standards for K-12 schoolsschool leaderThe new standards should be built into the local curriculum and policy.teacherAI instruction should be planned on the basis of the approved standards.education policymakerA state-level reference point for developing AI standards.caseMajor virtual tutoring provider shuts down; experts cite lack of evidenceschool leaderTutoring contracts should also require evidence of impact.edtech companyA tutoring model without evidence carries business risk.regulationUK government project would use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards in key stage 2 testseducation policymakerThe proposal, which affects assessment quality and cost, may spark debate.teacherThe role of AI-generated texts in calibrating assessment may change marking practice.regulationUAE makes AI education mandatory from age three; critics warn of an "early coding" trapeducation policymakerThe effects of early AI introduction are debated, so it is worth requiring a pilot and an evaluation.teacherAt kindergarten and early primary level, pedagogical method matters more than the tool.regulationIndia's NCERT and CBSE introduce AI curriculum for Classes III–VIIIteacherThe new curriculum requires teacher training and tools.education policymakerA large-scale example of an early AI curriculum.edtech companyThe textbook and learning-materials market gains a new need.toolEgypt's UMAMI launches AI-powered Learning Operating System with investment plan of over $1 millionedtech companyCompetition among AI platforms targeting governments is growing in the MENA region.education policymakerA procurement tender for a unified AI learning platform may arise.school practiceBroward County Public Schools launch online hub for AI guidanceschool leaderThe central information page can serve as a model for a district's own AI rules.teacherClassroom AI guidance is available in one place.regulationIndian prime minister announces AI skilling of 1 crore young people within a yeareducation policymakerA large-scale skills development programme is starting.edtech companyThe training market gains major state demand.toolMeituan co-founder launches AI education startup with 60 million yuan investmentedtech companyAnother well-capitalised player is entering the Asian AI education market.toolLaureate Education speeds up AI-powered learning in Mexico and Peru with Google Cloudedtech companyGoogle is signing deals with large university networks.university studentStudents in the network may get Gemini-based learning tools.researchNHS psychologist wins £75,000 to test AI learning support for pupils with SENDteacherEvidence on AI tools supporting pupils with SEND may soon be available.edtech companySEND support is a funded area of research.