Portland Public Schools folded some guidance on artificial intelligence into its district technology policy for students and staff over the summer, though some district officials say the work is far from complete.

The guidelines permit certain district-approved AI tools “to help with administrative tasks, lesson planning, and personalized learning” but require staff to review AI-generated content, check accuracy, and take personal responsibility for any content generated.

The new policy also warns against inputting personal student information into tools, and encourages users to think about inherent bias within such systems. But it’s still a far cry from a specific AI policy, which would have to go through the Portland School Board.

Part of the reason is because AI is such an “active landscape,” says Liz Large, a contracted legal adviser for the district. “The policymaking process as it should is deliberative and takes time,” Large says. “This was the first shot at it…there’s a lot of work [to do].”

PPS, like many school districts nationwide, is continuing to explore how to fold artificial intelligence into learning, but not without controversy. AsThe Oregonian reported in August, the district is entering a partnership with Lumi Story AI, a chatbot that helps older students craft their own stories with a focus on comics and graphic novels (the pilot is offered at some middle and high schools).

There’s also concern from the Portland Association of Teachers. “PAT believes students learn best from humans, instead of AI,” PAT president Angela Bonilla said in an Aug. 26 video. “PAT believes that students deserve to learn the truth from humans and adults they trust and care about.”

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FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — “Artificial intelligence is one of the big new waves in the economy. Right now they say that artificial intelligence is worth about $750 billion in our economy right now. But they expect it to quadruple within about eight or nine years,” said Paul Meyers, President and Financial Advisor at Legacy Wealth Management in Fargo.

According to a Stanford study, since 2013, the United States has been the leading global AI private investor. In 2024, the U.S. invested $109.1 billion in AI. While on a global scale, the corporate AI investment reached $252.3 billion.

“Artificial intelligence is already in our daily lives. And I think it’s just going to become a bigger and bigger part of it. I think we still have control over it. That’s a good thing. But artificial intelligence is helpful to all of us, regardless of what industry you’re in, and we need to be ready for it,” said Meyers.

Recently, Applied Digital has seen a dip in its stock by nearly 4%. The company’s 50-day average price is $12.49, and its 200-day moving average price is $9.07. Their latest report in July reported their earnings per share being $0.12 for the quarter.

“This company has grown quite a bit as a stock this year. For investors in this company, they’re up ninety-four percent this year. And I would say that you know there’s some positives and some negatives, some causes for concern, and some causes for optimism, it’s not a slam dunk,” said Meyers.

At the city council meeting on Tuesday night, Don Flaherty, Mayor of Ellendale, shared that they had not received any financial benefits from Applied Digital and won’t see any until 2026. While Harwood has yet to finalize their decision on the proposal.

AI is reshaping the workplace as companies are turning to it as a substitute for hiring, raising questions about the future of the job market. For many, there is uncertainty about the jobs their children will have. Robert Reich, the Labor Secretary under President Clinton and professor at Berkeley, joined Geoff Bennett to discuss his new essay, “How your kids will make money in a world of AI.”