Issue 8
Viewpoint
regulation · European Union
EU KIDS Act proposal would switch AI companions off by default for children
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the EU KIDS ACT on 17 September, which would apply to online services used by minors. The proposal covers social media as well as games, app stores and AI chatbots, and would keep AI companions switched off by default.
Who is affected and how
- edtech company
- For chatbot and companion products that reach children, age verification and default restrictions must be built in at the design stage.
- education policymaker
- National school AI rules should be aligned with the proposed EU framework.
- parent
- Under the proposal, AI companions would be switched off by default for children.
- school leader
- Schools should expect stricter age limits on devices and platforms.
case
British Columbia sues OpenAI over Tumbler Ridge school shooting, alleging ChatGPT role
The Canadian province of British Columbia has sued OpenAI, alleging that ChatGPT aided one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history. According to the reports, the claim is that the…
school leaderSchools should review how they handle signals of threats to schools, and what role AI tools play in that.parentA child's chatbot conversations can also be warning signs, so it is worth talking openly about their use.education policymakerThe lawsuit could set a precedent for enshrining AI providers' reporting obligations in law.edtech companyStricter expectations are likely for detecting and flagging dangerous content.research · United StatesChatbots still fall short in mental health conversations with children
A recent study finds chatbots still handle mental health conversations with children inadequately. According to Psychology Today, researchers found a link between young people's use of generative AI…
parentA chatbot is no substitute for a professional, so children's use of AI for emotional support deserves attention.school leaderSchool psychological and mental health protocols should account for chatbots.edtech companyChatbots aimed at children need separate testing for mental health scenarios.school practice · United StatesNew York City and Los Angeles limit AI in schools while other districts take different routes
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced a one-year moratorium on generative AI for students on 2 September, and Los Angeles is also restricting AI in…
teacherDuring the moratorium, generative AI for students cannot be used in the classroom, so assignments must be designed accordingly.school leaderDistricts must decide whether to follow the ban or build their own regulatory framework.education policymakerComparing the ban with Alabama's plan offers a useful model for domestic regulation.parentSchool AI access differs by district, so it is worth asking about local rules.studentBecause AI access would be available only at home, the ban may widen inequalities.AI companion · AsiaChina plans to ban 'intimate' AI companions for teenagers
China plans to ban teenagers from using intimate AI companions. International media reported the news on 21 September.
education policymakerA ban in a large market could become a reference point in the debate over AI companion regulation.edtech companyChina's regulatory direction may affect the market for companion products aimed at children.Hungary
regulationEducation minister Judit Lannert: new education strategy with AI focus due by year-endeducation policymakerIt is worth preparing for professional and public consultation, because the minister says the ministry will not decide on school structure alone.teacherThe new core curriculum and AI strategy may affect everyday teaching practice, including teaching digital awareness.school leaderBefore the year-end strategy, it is worth assessing the school's own AI rules and training needs.edtech companyThe AI focus built into the strategy signals market and partnership opportunities, as the Edutus example shows.regulationHungarian universities move from uncertainty to deliberate AI rules: cheating or help?university studentAI-use rules may differ by institution, so it is worth clarifying the course rules in advance.teacherUniversity AI rules and recommendations provide a starting point for redesigning assignments and assessment.education policymakerHungarian university practice already offers regulatory models for national policy directions.regulationHungarian ed-tech firms publish six-pillar manifesto on AI use in schoolseducation policymakerThe manifesto is expert input for the AI regulation now being prepared and is worth building into the consultation.teacherThe teacher's role and the handling of homework in the AI era are among the manifesto's central questions.edtech companyMarket players have set out their own self-regulation direction, to which products can be aligned.school leaderThe six pillars can serve as a starting point for drafting an institutional AI policy.researchELTE study compares AI tutor with ChatGPTuniversity studentAn AI tutor limited to course material works differently from a general-purpose chatbot.teacherAn AI tutor that answers from the instructor's own course material can help support courses.edtech companyAlongside the course-bound tutor model, a Hungarian research result is now available.school practiceS-Szakkör introduces schoolchildren to robots, AI and virtual realityteacherThe programme offers a ready-made idea for a technology club and a hands-on AI demonstration.parentA playful, age-appropriate way for children to get acquainted with AI.child safetyHungarian article asks where to draw the line on children's use of AIparentIt is worth setting family rules on the child's use of AI.teacherIt also needs to be made clear in the classroom what AI can and cannot be used for.school practiceHungarian AI courses: Óbuda University, Gábor Dénes University and a free public-sector courseuniversity studentFree or short online AI courses are also available for building skills.teacherOpen Hungarian courses can also be used for instructor training.school practiceModern Iskola publishes handbook on assessing student work in an AI environmentteacherThe handbook offers professional guidance for reshaping testing and assessment in the AI era.school leaderThe shift in testing culture is worth planning at institutional level as well.toolHungarian ed-tech gets millions of dollars; imagi raises $4.5 millionedtech companyInvestor interest points to a strengthening market for domestic AI and coding education products.school leaderThe growing domestic supply offers a choice among several AI and programming teaching solutions.school practiceOne Digitális Lépéselőny competition offers 230 laptops for school AI projectsteacherIt is worth developing a class or club AI project and submitting it to the competition.school leaderThe equipment competition provides hardware support for the school's AI projects.surveySurvey asks students about mental health, living costs and AI useuniversity studentCompleting the survey can help build a realistic picture of student AI use.education policymakerThe results may provide data on links between student well-being and AI use.caseNew head of Hungary's Educational Authority named; departing chief also coordinated AIeducation policymakerThe change of agency leadership may also affect the coordination of AI solutions.school leaderNational agency priorities may shift, which is worth watching.school practiceKrisztián Steigervald: schools are still built for pre-AI learningteacherAdapting teaching methods and assignments to the AI era cannot be left to the tools.school leaderReviewing school structure and how learning is organised is also part of the question.school practiceSchools in southern Slovakia on ChatGPT: it solves the task, but does the student understand?teacherWhen a task is solved with ChatGPT, checking understanding is also the teacher's job.studentThe gap between a solution and understanding is the key question in school AI use.school practiceCluj-Napoca university opens AI courses to all studentsuniversity studentAI teaching that is not tied to a degree programme is open to every student.teacherBuilding AI teaching into every programme sets a model for universities.school practiceStudents in Kapuvár learn about digital dangers and AIteacherA local example of how digital safety and AI can be taught together.school leaderA school can organise a similar programme with outside speakers or within its own timetable.
More key stories of the week
AI companion · United States
Study: one in three teenagers now turns to AI chatbots for companionship
A study finds that one-third of teenagers now use AI chatbots as companions. TV Delmarva Channel 33 reported the finding.
parentA child's social and emotional use of AI is an important topic for family conversations.teacherThe link between loneliness among students and AI companions is also relevant to form-teacher work.school leaderSchool digital wellbeing programmes should also cover AI companions.regulation · United StatesCalifornia's new AI child-safety law: SB 1119 regulates companion chatbots
On 10 September, California's governor signed SB 1119, which aims to protect children's safety around companion chatbots and creates a new chapter in the state's Business and Professions Code. The…
edtech companyProducts that offer companion chatbots or reach children must comply with the new California requirements.education policymakerCalifornia's rules could serve as a model for US and international lawmaking.parentThe law strengthens protections for children around companion chatbots.school practice · globalThe end of homework? Teachers grapple with AI cheating
Teachers in the US and the United Arab Emirates are rethinking homework because students increasingly complete it with AI. Other articles also cover how to recognise an essay written with AI.
teacherAlongside take-home assignments, it is worth planning in-class or oral checks.studentThe value of take-home work done with AI is falling, while checking for understanding is gaining weight.school leaderSchools need to set an institutional rule on the role of homework and the use of AI.parentRather than helping with homework, the parent's task may be to follow the learning process.child safety · globalEx-Google safety chief says AI could harm children more than social media
In an interview with Reuters, Google's former safety chief warned that AI could do children more harm than social media. They said it is unrealistic to expect the industry to solve the problem…
education policymakerAn industry insider stresses the need for outside, regulatory intervention.parentChildren's use of AI should not be left to industry self-regulation.edtech companyExternal regulation is expected to tighten for products that reach children.tool · United StatesOpenAI offers ChatGPT for Teachers free through June 2028 and expands Academy
OpenAI has launched ChatGPT for Teachers, which is free through June 2028. The company also expanded OpenAI Academy with new learning paths, including courses for developers and leaders.
teacherFree ChatGPT access designed for teachers through June 2028.school leaderThe free tool should first be reviewed for data protection and institutional fit.edtech companyFree ChatGPT for teachers competes with paid products aimed at teachers.regulation · globalOpenAI signs education ministry agreements in Slovakia and Azerbaijan
OpenAI is cooperating with Slovakia's education ministry on using AI in schools, and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Science and Education signed a memorandum with the company on AI in education.
education policymakerState-level agreements offer a model for education deals with major AI providers.edtech companyState-level partnerships may also affect competitors' market position.school practice · United StatesAndreessen Horowitz launches tuition-free AI school as alternative to college
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz is launching a program for recent high school graduates and college dropouts that trains young tech builders. According to Fox Business, the school is…
studentHigh school graduates gain a new tuition-free training path that replaces college.university studentStudents who drop out gain an alternative career route.edtech companyThe investor-backed training model is a new competitor in the education market.child safety · globalPope Leo XIV at UNESCO: protect young people from AI
During his visit to France, Pope Leo XIV asked the international community at UNESCO to protect children and young people from artificial intelligence and new digital technologies. He also warned of…
education policymakerInternational moral pressure is building for AI rules that protect children.parentThe pope's address underlines the social weight of protecting children in the digital sphere.regulation · United KingdomSchools unprepared for AI and urge government guidance, report warns
A report says schools in the UK are not prepared for AI and are "crying out" for government guidance. Sir Anthony Seldon says schools are "bewildered" by AI because few of the last 12 education…
education policymakerSchools want clear, central AI guidance.school leaderWithout a government framework, schools must draw up their own AI policy.teacherProtecting teachers' professionalism and relationships with students is also a consideration when introducing AI.research · European UnionTwo European Commission reports assess AI and digital technology impact on teaching
According to PubAffairs Bruxelles, two Commission reports show the impact of AI and digital technologies on teaching and learning in Europe. Another source says European teachers are adopting AI…
teacherTeachers want AI solutions built for education rather than general-purpose tools.education policymakerThe Commission reports provide the evidence base for European education AI policy.edtech companyTeachers' demand for tools designed for education points to a product development direction.case · United StatesTwo Tennessee teens arrested over AI-generated explicit deepfakes shared at high school
Two teenagers were arrested in Tennessee after AI-generated explicit deepfakes were shared at a high school. Another report describes a deepfake case involving a private school graduate.
school leaderSchools need a dedicated procedure for deepfake incidents and a fast reporting channel.parentIt is worth talking with children about how sharing deepfakes can have legal consequences.studentSharing explicit images made with AI can lead to arrest.school practice · AsiaKarnataka introduces AI as vocational subject; Sikkim launches AI-powered learning in 71 schools
Karnataka is introducing AI as a vocational subject for Classes 9 and 10 in 1,642 government schools. Sikkim has launched an AI-based learning programme in 71 government schools for Classes 3–5 in…
studentStudents in Classes 9–10 can study AI as a vocational subject in the participating schools.teacherThe AI subject and AI-based learning programmes call for new teacher skills.education policymakerThe state-level rollouts in India are large-scale pilot examples.In brief
toolNapster and GEMS Education introduce AI teacher avatars for homework supportteacherAn AI clone of a teacher could take over homework-help questions, but questions of authorship and professional authority arise.studentAn AI answering in the style of their own teacher may be available outside school hours.parentA teacher avatar may play a different role in homework help than a general-purpose chatbot.edtech companyThe teacher avatar is a new product category, with contractual and legal questions.regulationFlorida parents must opt in for children to use AI at schoolparentParents must actively consent to AI use at school.school leaderManaging parental consent for AI access is a new administrative task.education policymakerThe opt-in model is one possible template for school AI regulation.researchEducators say AI is harming students' ability to think: 'the illusion of learning'teacherTasks need to include stages that require independent thinking.studentQuickly leaning on AI may come at the expense of understanding.university studentGiving up independent problem-solving may weaken skills over the long term.caseYork University students fear Turnitin's AI planuniversity studentStudents should check the data-handling and usage terms for submitted work.education policymakerIn contracts with essay-checking providers, the use of student work for AI training is in question.edtech companyUsing student data for AI training poses trust and legal risks.caseIIT Bombay apologises and withdraws statement linking ChatGPT to student's suicideschool leaderAfter tragedies, institutional statements should contain only verified facts.university studentThe case draws attention to the link between AI use in exams and pressure on students.caseIn Korea, best grades may go to students with the most expensive AI subscriptionsstudentPaid AI access can create performance gaps between students.education policymakerUnequal access to AI also affects equality of educational opportunity.parentSpending on paid AI subscriptions can become a family decision.regulationKenya's KNEC warns teachers against using AI for School-Based Assessment tasksteacherSchool-based assessment tasks must be completed as the learner's own work; filling them in with AI is prohibited.school leaderIt is also worth strengthening checks on the integrity of internal assessment.studentCompleting assessment work with AI is also a violation of the rules on the teacher's side.school practiceFrederick County school board raises questions about Gemini on student devicesschool leaderAllowing an AI tool on student devices requires board review and transparent rules.parentParents should ask the district for information about AI available on school devices.education policymakerLocal board debates point to the risks of rolling out major AI providers in schools.toolWhy pupils, parents and teachers are frustrated with San Francisco schools' AI reading tutorteacherTeacher feedback on the district's AI tool matters for evaluating the rollout.parentParents' complaints may point to a lack of transparency in the rollout.studentHow usable the reading tutor is directly affects the learning experience.school leaderA smaller pilot with feedback is warranted before rollout.casePangram detector flags Dartmouth provost's articles as AI-writtenuniversity studentAI detector results are contestable, so students should prepare for accusations with a documented workflow.teacherA detector result alone cannot serve as evidence of cheating.education policymakerRules on detector use must account for the risk of false flags.regulationCanada's Bill C-34 could be first national law to regulate AI companion chatbotseducation policymakerDedicated legislation on AI companions could be among the first national examples.edtech companyNational regulation of companion chatbots may also affect product development.child safetyCNN: what parents can do to help children use AI wellparentParents should try AI out together with the child and show when it is worth using.teacherThe parents' guide could serve as a basis for homeroom teacher briefings.school practiceUS school districts slowly build AI guidance, with one state board adopting a policy templateschool leaderThe state template and examples from neighbouring districts give a starting point for a local policy.teacherDistrict AI rules determine what a teacher can allow in class.parentLocal AI policies are public, so it is worth checking them.toolGoogle adds new Gemini tools for learning and the classroomteacherSTEM interactives and Notebook's lecture recordings can support lesson planning.studentThe 12-month free Gemini offer can be claimed until 31 December.school leaderData protection and regulatory frameworks must be applied when adopting Google's tools.school practiceUAE students describe how they use ChatGPT for learning as schools set rulesstudentSchool rules apply to the use of ChatGPT for learning.school leaderAI adoption can be planned together with a reduction in screen time.teacherRules are best based on how students actually use AI.toolEdtech funding: Scholar Education raises $2M, Medcast $5.4M, McGraw Hill acquires TeachFXedtech companyThe deals point to consolidation in AI-based education and to the segment's ability to attract capital.school leaderThe range of suppliers of tools may change with the acquisitions.researchStudies examine AI's effect on learning outcomes in universities and writing instructionteacherThe research offers a basis for judging the effectiveness of AI tools on evidence.education policymakerThe evidence can be used for AI procurement and regulation.caseStanford used AI-altered student in ad, violating its own AI policyuniversity studentAI alteration of a student's likeness harms the student's interests, so the university can be held to account in its communications too.education policymakerThe institutional AI policy must also apply to marketing and communications.school practiceTeacherless AI school seeks to move into former Roycemore building in EvanstonparentA teacherless AI school is an alternative, but how it operates and what results it delivers remain to be examined.education policymakerThe permitting process also raises the question of how to regulate new types of school.teacherAI-based schools foreshadow a change in the teacher's role.school practiceUS law schools respond to AI with laptop bans and new tech coursesuniversity studentLaw schools may introduce laptop bans and new AI courses.teacherThe response to AI can be planned at course level: ban it or teach it.school practiceIntel to push AI and STEM education in Israeli schools, Education Ministry sayseducation policymakerThe program is an example of an industry partnership in AI and STEM education.teacherThe program may also affect schools in teacher training and equipment supply.surveyHungarian reports on teens and AI: YPulse survey and some adolescents turning awayteacherAI-assisted completion of assignments is still present, and assessment needs to be adjusted accordingly.parentTeens' attitude to AI is mixed, so it is worth asking them about their own experiences.studentPeers' use and rejection of AI are both present, with no uniform pattern.toolNigeria's teachers' council announces AI-powered lesson generation systemteacherAn AI tool can reduce the time needed for lesson planning.education policymakerAn AI tool maintained by a teachers' professional body can provide a uniform quality framework.regulationUNESCO Digital Learning Week and ITU report address AI's role in educationeducation policymakerMaterials from international organisations provide a reference for national AI education policy.caseTutoring company tells parents to save their money and use AI insteadparentThe cost of tutoring can be replaced by AI tools, though this is the company's claim.edtech companyTutoring portals signal that AI is reducing demand for paid private tuition.school practiceCan schools trust AI to translate for parents who do not speak English?school leaderAI translation in parent communication carries a risk of errors, so checking is needed.parentLanguage barriers can be reduced, but the accuracy of the translation is in question.child safetyAI slop is flooding children's feeds, Times of India reportsparentIt is worth reviewing and discussing the AI content in children's feeds together.teacherRecognising AI-generated content becomes a topic in media literacy teaching.caseCollege student says her art professor used AI to grade her paperuniversity studentIt is a fair question whether the instructor uses AI in grading, and under what rules.teacherInstructors' own AI use also needs to be transparent if students are expected to follow AI rules.surveySouth Florida teachers weigh in on affordability, enrollment, immigration and AI in NBC 6 surveyteacherThe survey offers one local snapshot of teachers' views on AI alongside other workplace issues.school practiceAI detectors are pushing colleges back to handwritten learninguniversity studentPart of assessment may return to supervised, handwritten form.teacherSupervised handwritten work may be an alternative to relying on detectors.school practiceCalifornia community colleges request $200M for AIeducation policymakerA model that treats AI as a budget priority is an example worth following.teacherFunding for AI training may grow at institutions.AI companionYiwu's AI companion toys speed up expansion into global marketsparentAI companion toys are increasingly likely to reach young children too.edtech companyExports of AI toys intensify competition in the market for children's products.child safetySeoul National University embeds anti-deepfake protection in graduation photosuniversity studentProtecting institutional photos can make the images less usable for deepfake abuse.school leaderTechnical solutions are available for protecting school yearbook and portrait photos.school practiceGhana's TVET Service partners UNESCO, KPMG and Microsoft to train 100,000 facilitators in AIteacherAI upskilling for vocational instructors is part of a large-scale programme.edtech companyThe involvement of major tech and consulting firms in public teacher-training programmes shows a partnership model.researchWhy middle schoolers abandon AI maths tutors when asked to thinkteacherWhen designing AI tutors, one must allow for students avoiding steps that require thinking.edtech companyKeeping students persistent is a key issue in tutor design.toolMicrosoft and University of Illinois build StudentSim to train AI tutorsedtech companyTutors trained on simulated students point to a new method of product development.teacherThe quality of AI tutors may also depend on the results of such development work.toolUniversity of Sydney offers free ChatGPT Edu to alluniversity studentFree, institution-provided access to ChatGPT Edu is available.teacherA university-wide tool makes it possible to set a uniform policy on AI use.