AI Insights

We’re Entering a New Phase of AI in Schools. How Are States Responding?

Published

2 days ago

September 10, 2025

Artificial intelligence topped the list of state technology officials’ priorities for the first time, according to an annual survey released by the State Educational Technology Directors’ Association on Wednesday.

More than a quarter of respondents—26%—listed AI as their most pressing issue, compared to 18% in a similar survey conducted by SETDA last year. AI supplanted cybersecurity, which state leaders previously identified as their No. 1 concern.

About 1 in 5 state technology officials—21%—named cybersecurity as their highest priority, and 18% identified professional development and technology support for instruction as their top issues.

Forty percent of respondents reported that their state had issued guidance on AI. That’s a considerable increase from just two years ago, when only 2% of respondents to the same survey reported their state had released AI guidance.

State officials’ heightened attention on AI suggests that even though many more states have released some sort of AI guidance in the past year or two, officials still see a lot left on their to-do lists when it comes to supporting districts in improving students’ AI literacy, offering professional development about AI for educators, and crafting policies around cheating and proper AI use.

“A lot of guidance has come out, but now the rubber’s hitting the road in terms of implementation and integration,” said Julia Fallon, SETDA’s executive director, in an interview.

SETDA, along with Whiteboard Advisors, surveyed state education leaders—including ed-tech directors, chief information officers, and state chiefs—receiving more than 75 responses across 47 states. It conducted interviews with state ed-tech teams in Alabama, Delaware, Nebraska, and Utah and did group interviews with ed-tech leaders from 14 states.

AI professional development is a rising priority

States are taking a myriad of approaches to responding to the AI challenge, the report noted.

Some states—such as North Carolina and Utah—designated an AI point person to help support districts in puzzling through the technology. For instance, Matt Winters, who leads Utah’s work, has helped negotiate statewide pricing for AI-powered ed-tech tools and worked with an outside organization to train 4,500 teachers on AI, according to the report.

Wyoming, meanwhile, has developed an “innovator” network that pays teachers to offer AI professional development to colleagues across the state. Washington hosted two statewide AI summits to help district and school leaders explore the technology.

And North Carolina and Virginia have used state-level competitive grant programs to support activities such as AI-specific professional development or AI-infused teaching and learning initiatives.

“As AI continues to evolve, developing connections with those in tech, in industry, and in commerce, as well as with other educators, will become more important than ever,” wrote Sydnee Dickson, formerly Utah’s state superintendent of public instruction, in an introduction to the report. “The technology is advancing too quickly for any one person or state to have all the answers.”

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AI Insights

Google, Microsoft, Apple, Meta, quantum technology, Finance

Published

35 minutes ago

September 12, 2025

The Editors

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – Last week we talked about the newest updates in A.I. technology regarding Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), quantum technology, and in finance.

Since then, we’ve received updates regarding Google, Microsoft, Apple, Intel, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), quantum technology, and finance.

Android pushed new AI writing tools in Bboard for tone suggestions, rewrites and grammar on Sept. 3, which rollout depends on devices with Gemini Nano v2+.

On that same date, a Pixel Feature Drop broadened rollout and added Buds/Watch updates; with coverage noting AI-assisted audio and suggestions.

ChatGPT or OpenAI announced parental controls on Sept. 2, with routing sensitive chats to specialized reasoning models, including mainstream coverage, also highlighting teen-safety updates.

Branch conversation arrived on the web on Sept. 4, allowing you to fork a chat from any message. And a research explainer was published on Sept. 5, on why LLMs hallucinate.

Microsoft 365 Personal (with Copilot) is now free for one years to all U.S. college students as of Sept. 4, then 50%, and claimable through Oct. 31.

Bloomberg reports that Apple is planning an AI-powered web search effort for Siri, targeting a launch next year.

Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Engineering outlined a new ML notification-ranking framework for Instagram on Sept. 2, to cut spammy pings, and diversity outreach.

Meta also highlighted protections for teen in AI chat experiences, alongside OpenAI.

IonQ announced a new materials breakthrough on Sept. 4; that breakthrough being quantum-grade synthetic diamond films, compatible with common substrates, aimed at scalable quantum networking hardware.

Citi rolled out two AI-powered advisory platforms in its wealth division (in-house built) on Sept. 2.

New York Fed analysis reports that businesses increased AI use over the past year on Sept. 4, but few report AI-driven layoffs so far.

According to an industry survey recap (FICO via Fortune), tech leaders say responsible AI is now the gating factor to unlock value.

Stay up to date on local news with WNDU on-air and online. Be sure to download the 16 News Now App and follow our YouTube page as we continue to bring you the latest coverage on this developing story.

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AI Insights

Ohio launches new artificial intelligence public safety reporting app – Ohio

Published

40 minutes ago

September 12, 2025

The Editors

(The Center Square) – Ohio is turning to artificial intelligence to help the public report suspicious activity and potential threats of violence.

In the wake of the Wednesday assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the June killing of a Minnesota lawmaker, the state launched the new Safeguard Ohio app Friday.

It’s the country’s first criminal justice tip-reporting app to use artificial intelligence in a new way.

“Events that threaten the safety of Ohioans can be hard to predict, but they can be prevented with help from timely, detailed tips from the public,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”

The app, developed by Ohio Homeland Security and private partner Vigiliti, uses artificial intelligence to encourage users to provide as much information as possible to law enforcement.

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Users can upload video, audio and photos and remain anonymous.

Ohio’s previous online reporting system required people to fill out a form.

Information submitted to the app is reported in real time to the Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center, where analysts are expected to immediately review information and notify law enforcement authorities.

There are eight categories of tip-reporting, including drug-related activity, human trafficking, terrorism, school threats and crimes against children.

“The AI-infused prompts are essential components of this new system,” said Mark Porter, OHS executive director. “We will get the high-quality intelligence we need to act on a tip through this new system. The AI is trained to keep asking questions until the person reporting says they have no more information about the incident.”

After reporting, users will receive a unique QR code specific to that incident that allows for follow-up information. The app can also take reports in 10 languages.

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“One of the best attributes of this new system is the ability to upload video and photos,” Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, said. “More and more people these days – especially our younger generation – don’t like to talk on the phone. This new reporting method will result in more detailed information being shared with the authorities.”

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AI Insights

Hamm Institute hosts American Energy + AI Initiative event, spotlighting urgent needs to power AI

Published

1 hour ago

September 12, 2025

The Editors

Friday, September 12, 2025

Media Contact:
Dara McBee | Hamm Institute for American Energy | 580-350-7248 | dara.mcbee@hamminstitute.org

Leaders gathered at the Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University on Thursday to focus on one urgent question: how will
the United States power the rise of artificial intelligence?

The discussion of the roundtable report out of the American Energy + AI Initiative
underscored emerging top-tier priorities and highlighted the speed and scale required
to align energy systems with rapid advances in data and technology.

Keynote speaker Mark P. Mills, Hamm Institute Distinguished Scholar, described how
data centers and AI applications will drive a surge in demand unlike anything before.
Mills is leading the Hamm Institute’s core research for the American Energy + AI Initiative,
which is shaping the policy and investment agenda to ensure that America can meet
this challenge.

OSU President Jim Hess also gave remarks, emphasizing the university’s leadership
in advancing applied research and preparing the next generation of energy leaders.

A featured panel brought together a mix of perspectives from across energy and technology.
Panelists included Harold Hamm, founder of the Hamm Institute and Chairman Emeritus
of Continental Resources; Caroline Cochran, co-founder of Oklo; Takajiro Ishikawa,
CEO of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and E.Y. Easley, research fellow at SK Innovation.

Together, they explored how natural gas, nuclear innovation, global supply chains
and international collaboration can help meet the moment.

“The United States has the resources it needs. What it lacks is speed, certainty and
alignment,” said Ann Bluntzer Pullin, executive director of the Hamm Institute. “This
initiative is about turning urgency into action so that America and its allies can
lead in both energy and AI.”

Panelists for the event included: Harold Hamm, founder of the Hamm Institute and Chairman
Emeritus of Continental Resources; Caroline Cochran, co-founder of Oklo; Takajiro
Ishikawa, CEO of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; and E.Y. Easley, research fellow at
SK Innovation.

The initiative has already convened roundtables in Washington, D.C.; Denver; and Palo
Alto, California. Each conversation has surfaced priorities that move beyond analysis
toward action, including timely permitting, stronger demand signals to unlock investment,
reforms to unclog grid interconnection, and deeper coordination with allies on fuels
and technology.

The initiative’s next steps will focus on solidifying and advancing these emerging
top-tier priorities. The Hamm Institute will continue to convene leaders and deliver
research that accelerates solutions to meet AI’s energy demand.

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