Education
US federal data glitch overlooks 200,000 international students

Earlier this year, The PIE News reported on an error found in federal datasets that appeared to show falling international student numbers from August 2024 to the present.
The inaccurate SEVIS data painted a picture of dramatically declining international student numbers, which then flatlined in an unusual fashion – with data appearing to show an 11% enrolment decline between March 2024 and March 2025.
In reality, the number of international students in the US was increasing at a steady rate, with corrected data published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 4 showing a growth rate of 6.5% from September 2023 to September 2024.
In September last year, the inaccurate figures were over 200,000 students short of the actual totals, according to analysis by Boston College professor Chris Glass.
The real data has revealed a new all-time high for international student numbers in the US, reaching nearly 1.3 million in September 2024.
What’s more, last year’s growth rate of 6.5% is more than double IIE’s predicted 3% growth rate, laid out in its 2024 Fall Snapshot survey.
After India surpassing China as the US’s top sending destination in 2023, the gap between the two sending countries continues to widen, with new SEVIS data for June 2025 showing almost 143,000 more students from India than China.
However, it is important to note that the figures include both international students enrolled at US colleges and those working on Optional Practical Training (OPT).
The US is the only one of the ‘big four’ study destinations to include the post-graduation work stream in overall student figures, and stakeholders have called for the two to be disaggregated to help institutional recruitment plans and wider sector advocacy about career opportunities.
“It’s odd to me that OPT participants are routinely characterised as students in prominent reporting,” said Eddie West, assistant vice-president, international affairs, at California State University, Fresno.
“Counting F-1 visa-holders working on OPT as students makes almost no sense and is an artefact of how they first arrived. They’re employees in the US workforce,” he added.
The issue of including OPT in the US’s overall student population was laid bare last year, after IIE’s Open Doors report for 2023/24 revealed an all-time high of 1.1 million international students in the US.
As IIE separates the two counts, closer analysis could subsequently reveal that while OPT had increased by 22%, new enrolments had only risen by 0.1% – a crucial detail that was getting lost in prominent reporting.
Counting F-1 visa-holders working on OPT as students makes almost no sense and is an artefact of how they first arrived
Eddie West, California State University, Fresno
Meanwhile, though historical data helps inform tactical implementation of recruitment strategies, according to Intead CEO Ben Waxman, colleges should focus on the present and make decisions with what they have available.
“The macro trend numbers make good headlines but don’t necessarily inform how a specific institution should move forward… What works for individual institutions is keeping eyes on the ball,” Waxman told The PIE.
“Backing away from concerted recruitment efforts pretty much guarantees that the declines in student volume we all anticipate will land squarely on your institution,” he warned.
The anticipated declines highlighted by Waxman refer to the drop in F-1 visa issuance already being felt by US institutions as the damaging effect of Donald Trump’s hostile policies take hold.
In May 2025, there was a 22% drop in student visa issuance as compared to the previous year, according to State Department data.
And this doesn’t account for the impact of the pausing of new visa appointments – which stretched from May 27 to June 26 – and continues to cause severe backlogs and cancelled visa appointments.
What’s more, the expansion of social media screening for student and exchange visitor visas is causing further delays, as interest in the US as a study destination plummets under Trump.
Amid the administration’s attacks on Harvard, as well as its proposals to enforce time limits on student visas, its appeal among international students has fallen to its lowest level since the pandemic, with 73% of institutions surveyed by NAFSA expecting fewer international students this fall.
According to Glass, the appointment pause coupled with expanded screening measures could translate into a potential international student decline of 7-11% in the upcoming semester, as compared to 2024.
Depending on future policies, “we may see fluctuations in 2026 due to deferrals … akin to when we saw pent-up growth express itself after COVID was more firmly in the rear-view mirror”, suggested West, though he said continued growth in the short-term was “highly unlikely”.
The macro trend numbers make good headlines but don’t necessarily inform how a specific institution should move forward
Ben Waxman, Intead
With the initial error being resolved, stakeholders have acknowledged the difficulties of maintaining such a large database.
“Something so vast in scope, complex and fluid as international student mobility and enrolment is no easy feat, especially in the States,” said West, adding that he was more concerned about “long-standing deficiencies”, pointing to Australia’s PRISMS system as a far more sophisticated and precise tracking method.
Elsewhere, concerns remain around the department’s lack of transparency, which has left many unanswered questions about how the department will ensure there are no future data failures of a similar kind.
The timeframe of the glitch has also raised eyebrows, with almost a year passing from when the data irregularities emerged in August 2024 to when they were removed from the website in April 2025 and finally corrected this July.
What’s more, it is still unclear whether anyone at the department was aware of the glitch before DHS was notified of it by EnglishUSA in mid-April, with Mark Algren of the University of Kansas who noticed the error saying he had “no idea why someone didn’t catch it”.
The PIE reached out to DHS but is yet to receive a response.
Education
The Need for AI Literacy in Indian Legal Education

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the contemporary landscape, harnessing the power of vast datasets to automate complex tasks and deliver tailored solutions. This transformative technology is reshaping our approach to longstanding challenges. India is at the leading edge of this AI evolution, ready to use the rapid technological progress to achieve remarkable growth in technology.
Legal education serves as the cornerstone for promoting social justice, equity, and a robust democracy, providing individuals with the expertise to navigate a society regulated by law. To accomplish this objective, society must cultivate proficient lawyers who serve essential functions within their communities. This necessitates a comprehensive framework that enables legal practitioners to address the changing demands of Indian society.
The obstacles presented by globalization, rising expenses, and ongoing judicial delays highlight the urgent necessity for technological advancement in the legal field. India’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) established in 2015, which prioritizes accessible and equitable quality education, corresponds with the National Education Policy 2020s objective to modernize legal education. By embracing global norms and new methodologies, the legal industry may markedly improve access to justice, safeguarding it as a fundamental right for all individuals.
After India’s independence in 1947, education was vital in fulfilling the moral needs of the newly liberated population. And, the main goal of the legal system was to realize the Constitution’s objectives, leading to the enactment of various laws for social reform, such as the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) and the Hindu Marriage Act (1955). Today, India’s educational aim is to create a fair and just society. The Indian court system is struggling with a backlog of cases, corruption, and slow resolution times. The Supreme Court highlighted the importance of improving legal education to tackle these challenges and adapt to new global trends, advocating for the use of AI in the courts.
India’s current legal education and research framework is based on the common law tradition, and emphasizes upon critical thinking, teaching using Socratic methods, legal writing skills, oral advocacy, risk aversion, issue identification, and legal ethics. Although, these strategies have shaped generations of competent lawyers, yet they are now regarded as insufficient. Because, it places greater importance on theoretical understanding rather than on the practical abilities that are essential for contemporary legal practice. Lawyers are now anticipated to possess strong analytical skills and be proficient in utilizing legal technologies such as document automation and predictive analytics.
The expectations for newly graduated lawyers have changed considerably. They are now required to have robust technological skills, adaptability, and the capability to work alongside professionals from different fields, in addition to their conventional responsibilities in legal research and advocacy. Clients today look for legal professionals who can serve as strategic partners, grasping the connections between law, technology, and business. In this context, it is crucial for legal educators to integrate frameworks that align technical comprehension of AI with ethical and practical training. This method guarantees that students are prepared not just to use AI tools, but also to evaluate their results critically.
Consequently, the traditional method of legal education requires the implementation of more flexible and tailored curricula to tackle the growing complexities of legal matters in a rapidly globalizing and digital environment.
There is a notable trend towards incorporating AI literacy in various legal fields, prompting many law schools worldwide to either introduce or revise their AI courses introducing new courses centred around AI, such as Programming for Lawyers, AI Ethics and Privacy, AI and Experiential Learning etc. The National Law University of India in Bengaluru, OP Jindal University in Sonipat, and the Rajiv Gandhi School of Intellectual Property Rights in IIT Kharagpur have incorporated AI-focused courses into their curriculum. This initiative aims to equip students with the skills to utilize AI tools, addressing the technological needs of the profession, also understanding AI technologies can improve their job security and enhance their competitiveness in an ever evolving industry. Legal firms and experienced lawyers may expect younger associates to leverage generative AI technologies, given their familiarity with the changing tech landscape. AI will not replace lawyers; instead, those who adopt AI will likely excel over those who do not. An AI-focused curriculum can help cultivate lawyers who are less susceptible to being replaced. It is essential for students to not only learn how to use AI tools effectively but also to receive guidance on their optimal application.
While coding skills aren’t a requirement for lawyers but familiarize themselves with tools and platforms that are beneficial in the legal sector. Legal professionals can utilize these tools to streamline contract automation, conduct legal research, and monitor compliance effectively. This not only makes it easier to do analyses of vast datasets, automating complex tasks, providing customized solutions and uncover different interpretations of laws across jurisdictions, and can also assist judges with routine tasks which will allow them to focus on more complex issues.
The incorporation of AI into legal education is essential to meet the growing need for faster, more accurate, and accessible legal services. AI’s ability to perform tasks in seconds that traditionally take much longer necessitates a thorough overhaul of the legal curriculum to embrace digital advancements. Law schools in India are grappling with a pressing challenge such as outdated curriculum, many teachers are not well-versed in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. This gap in knowledge, coupled with a resistance to shift from traditional teaching methods, hampers the integration of these technologies into legal education. Furthermore, the current infrastructure is inadequate for overseeing AI usage, as there are no clear guidelines for its proper application.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) is responsible for regulating legal education in India, established under the Advocates Act of 1961. The BCI’s primary role is to supervise the legal profession, ensuring lawyers adhere to professional conduct standards and safeguard the profession’s interests. Over time, the BCI’s mandate has expanded to include establishing standards for law colleges, including curriculum, infrastructure, faculty qualifications, and student admissions. This standardization ensures quality but limits the capacity of law schools to innovate and experiment with new approaches. Many law programs follow a strict curriculum, limiting opportunities for integrating innovative interdisciplinary subjects. The BCI has released a directive promoting the incorporation of subjects like blockchains, electronic discovery, cyber-security, robotics, artificial intelligence, and bio-ethics into curricula. However, law schools in India have neglected to integrate AI into their curricula, as the existing curriculum is extensive. Educators often shy away from integrating new technology in their classrooms due to the extra workload it entails. Even with access to labs and advanced tools, many schools struggle to deliver up-to-date, AI-enhanced learning materials. This gap arises from a lack of staff expertise in utilizing AI effectively, leaving students without the benefits of modern educational resources.
Ensuring digital inclusion is crucial for the sustainable integration of AI, as it ensures fair access to digital tools and resources for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. Students enrolled in law colleges located in rural or semi-urban regions may experience a disadvantage in accessing technology and education in artificial intelligence relative to their metropolitan counterparts. Elite educational institutions and communities often have sophisticated digital infrastructures, such as high-speed internet, modern gadgets, and cloud computing resources, allowing them to adopt cutting-edge EdTech solutions.
Law schools in economically disadvantaged or rural regions encounter difficulties stemming from obsolete gear, unreliable internet connectivity, or a total absence of access to AI resources. The prevalence of AI materials and technologies in English constitutes a substantial obstacle to accessibility for non-English speaking students.
In addition to revising the curriculum to incorporate AI subjects, it is equally crucial to train the faculty and staff. This ensures that students are well-informed about the effective use of AI, fostering a sense of comfort and confidence. Such an approach is vital for achieving optimal outcomes in education and beyond.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
END OF ARTICLE
Education
First lady calls AI training a national responsibility for US students

First Lady Melania Trump has urged the nation’s business and technology leaders to back artificial intelligence (AI) education in schools, framing it as essential for preparing children for future jobs, reported India Today.
White House Task Force on AI education
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Artificial Intelligence Education Task Force, which she chairs, Trump balanced optimism with caution. “As leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly. During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children — empowering, but with watchful guidance,” she said.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon joined the event, alongside Cabinet officials and industry leaders. Trump pressed the group to invest in AI training for schoolchildren, describing it as a national responsibility. “AI can be a powerful tool, but only if we teach our young people how to use it with wisdom,” she noted.
National contest and call for leadership
The First Lady also highlighted her recently launched nationwide contest for students in grades K–12, encouraging them to apply AI to projects or community challenges. She said the initiative is aimed at showcasing both the opportunities and limitations of the technology.
“America must lead in this field,” Trump told the gathering. “And leadership starts in our classrooms.”
Education
Goomi Introduces AI Education Planning Assistant for Students

Founded by a 20-year-old computer engineering student at the University of Notre Dame, Goomi delivers 24/7 AI-powered guidance to make education planning simpler and more accessible.
Boston, United States, 6th Sep 2025 – Goomi, a Boston-based edtech startup, today announced the launch of Goomi AI Planner, described as the next generation of education planning tools, an AI-powered assistant that combines voice interaction, personalized school matching, academic guidance, and deadline management to support students and parents. Goomi further broadens access to quality advice for families who might not use private consulting. The web app went live on July 26, 2025 and is available today; the mobile app will launch on September 15, 2025.
Reducing Stress for Families
The Goomi AI Planner is available around the clock, giving families immediate access to support whenever they need it.
It can answer academic planning questions, track student progress, and send reminders for important milestones such as exams, application deadlines, and extracurricular activities.
By offering this consistent guidance, the platform reduces the stress many families face during school selection and academic planning while providing families with a clearer planning path. Goomi is able to help students block out all the unnecessary information, have a consolidated view of what they need to do, and provide them with a clear vision. Families don’t need another dashboard — they need a guide,” said Edmond Meng, founder and CTO of Goomi. “Goomi AI Planner sits with students day-to-day, turning overwhelming timelines into clear, personal next steps.
In addition, the platform directly addresses application anxiety through features such as personalized school matching, application essay guidance, and deadline tracking that keep families informed and prepared.
Its cross-cultural and multilingual support makes it equally effective for U.S. families and international students, ensuring accessibility for learners from different academic systems and cultural backgrounds. Additional tools, including an activity and competition hub and smart task management with parent collaboration, further help families build stronger academic profiles and stay organized.
Extending Support Through Community
Beyond core features like progress tracking and deadline alerts, Goomi extends its value through a dedicated community platform. Families can share experiences, exchange advice, and access expert Q&As, private forums, and success stories, creating a peer network that complements the AI assistant. It also helps close information gaps between families with different levels of resources. This combination of technology and community insight positions Goomi as more than a utility. Its a long-term resource designed to support families throughout their education journey.
Product Roadmap and Positioning
The company describes the AI-powered education planning platform as the “Jarvis for education,” a supportive assistant that understands both learning and planning while complementing the essential role of teachers and schools.
The web version of the platform is currently live, alongside the community app that is already available to families. The mobile app will officially launch on September 15, 2025, representing the company’s first major rollout.
Founder’s Vision and Background
Goomi was founded by Edmond Meng, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at the University of Notre Dame. As both an international student and a young entrepreneur, Meng has experienced firsthand the stress families face with school choices, academic planning, and applications. His vision is to give every family access to their own “education Jarvis,” an assistant that makes education planning simpler, more personalized, and more accessible. Guided by this mission, Goomi aims to reduce stress for students and parents while advancing fairness and opportunity in education planning. Heading the company is a young team with expertise in education, technology, and community building, working together to make the vision of an ‘education Jarvis’ a reality for families worldwide.
About Goomi
Goomi is a Boston-based edtech startup dedicated to simplifying education planning with AI-driven solutions. Its mission is to provide accessible and personalized support that reduces the stress of academic decisions while fostering a sense of community among families. By combining technology with inclusive design, Goomi aims to ensure every family can benefit from a trusted education assistant.
Contact Details
Organization: Goomi
Contact Person: Stella Meng
Website: https://www.goomi.ai
Email: Send Email [https://dashboard.kingnewswire.com/release-contact/33503]
City: Boston
Country: United States
Release Id: 06092533503
The post Goomi Introduces AI Education Planning Assistant for Students and Parents appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licences, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section above.
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This release was published on openPR.
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