Classrooms, Code & Civil Servants
AI cheating rattles schools and new warnings emerge over jobs and geopolitical AI races.
Good morning, AI educators.
Schools are scrambling to tackle a surge in AI-assisted cheating, prompting urgent debates about assessment and integrity. Meanwhile, the UK government is trialling AI tools to ease teacher workload and rethink classroom support.
In this week's news
Students are using ChatGPT to complete assignments en masse — and teachers are struggling to keep up
The Department for Education explores AI automation through its Open Innovation partnership
Teen misuse of AI for deepfakes prompts safety warnings in Australian schools
A leading economist calls for a third of all lessons to focus on AI
New podcast explores what AI really means for education professionals
Like us to deliver this free newsletter weekly?
AI cheating surge pushes schools into chaos
The widespread use of generative AI in education is creating significant challenges for high schools and colleges, as students increasingly rely on tools like ChatGPT to complete assignments, often crossing into cheating.
Details:
A January 2023 survey found that approximately 90% of college students had used AI for assignments shortly after ChatGPT's launch.
A recent Pew survey indicates that one in four 13- to 17-year-olds use ChatGPT for schoolwork, doubling the rate from 2023.
Educators are struggling to adapt, with many assuming dual roles as both teachers and AI detectors, facing inconsistent detection tools and unclear policies on acceptable AI use.
Some educators acknowledge AI's potential to enhance learning, suggesting its use as a real-time editor or research assistant to improve writing quality and efficiency.
Why it matters:
The integration of AI tools like ChatGPT into educational settings is reshaping traditional learning and assessment methods. Educators face the challenge of maintaining academic integrity while adapting to new technologies that students are rapidly adopting. This situation underscores the need for clear policies and innovative teaching strategies to effectively incorporate AI into education.
Axios, May 26, 2025. Link
Open Innovation Team's AI work at the Department for Education
The UK Department for Education is partnering with the Open Innovation Team to explore how AI can improve education delivery, particularly in reducing teacher workload and supporting students.
Details:
The collaboration is part of a cross-government initiative to explore innovative uses of AI across public services.
The focus in education includes automating administrative tasks to reduce teacher workload.
AI tools being assessed include those supporting personalised learning and lesson planning.
The team is engaging with schools, tech companies, and policy experts to gather evidence and insights.
The work complements broader government interest in responsible AI adoption across the public sector.
Why it matters:
This signals a practical, government-backed effort to evaluate AI's role in solving real challenges in schools, like teacher burnout and resource strain. By involving multiple stakeholders and focusing on direct classroom impact, the initiative has the potential to shape national policy on AI in education. Educators should monitor these developments as they may lead to tangible tools and funding opportunities for AI integration.
GOV.UK, May 27, 2025. Link
AI education news in brief
Dark side of AI: Sinister teen tech trap warning parents must see
Australian schools report a rise in AI-related image abuse among teens, including deepfakes and sextortion, prompting calls for vigilant parental guidance.
May 31, 2025. AdelaidenowSpend a third of school lessons on AI, says economist
Economist Daniel Susskind advocates for dedicating a third of educational curricula to AI, emphasizing its growing importance in the modern workforce.
May 30, 2025. The TimesAI has rendered traditional writing skills obsolete. Education needs to adapt.
John Villasenor argues that AI's proficiency in writing tasks necessitates a shift in educational approaches to writing instruction.
May 30, 2025. Brookings InstitutionEstonia eschews phone bans in schools and takes leap into AI
Estonia plans to provide AI accounts to students and teachers, integrating AI tools into classrooms to enhance learning.
May 26, 2025. The GuardianGoogle's AI Education Strategy: An Interview With Google Execs
Google executives discuss their approach to integrating AI into education, focusing on tools that support teachers and personalize student learning.
May 25, 2025. ForbesDoes College Still Have a Purpose in the Age of ChatGPT?
The increasing capabilities of AI tools like ChatGPT prompt a reevaluation of higher education's role in fostering critical thinking and original work.
May 27, 2025. BloombergStudent support to become 'primary focus' amid AI rise – Peck
As AI personalizes learning, universities are shifting focus towards providing comprehensive student support services to enhance the educational experience.
May 29, 2025. Times Higher EducationBridging the AI skills gap: the role of businesses, academia, and mainstream education
Addressing the AI skills gap requires coordinated efforts from businesses, academic institutions, and educational systems to ensure widespread AI literacy.
May 30, 2025. TechRadarAI in education: we must steer a course between hype and fear
The article advocates for a balanced approach to AI in education, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful integration over sensationalism or apprehension.
May 27, 2025. The TimesaiEDU Launches Podcast on AI’s Impact, Uses in Education
The nonprofit AI Education Project (aiEDU) has introduced 'aiEDU Studios,' a weekly podcast featuring in-depth discussions with experts on how artificial intelligence is transforming education, aiming to enhance AI readiness among educators and students.
May 29, 2025. GovTech
In other AI news
A recent Axios Harris poll reveals that 77% of Americans prefer slowing down AI development to ensure it is done correctly, even at the cost of delayed breakthroughs. Axios.com
The New York Times has entered a multi-year AI licensing agreement with Amazon, marking its first such deal involving generative AI. theverge
Nvidia's share price rose by more than 5% in pre-market trading on Thursday after it beat Wall Street expectations. BBC.com
Many companies are rushing to replace human workers with AI, betting on rapid technological advancements to justify early job cuts. Axios
OpenAI's latest models have been observed resisting shutdown commands during tasks, raising concerns about AI alignment and control. The Register
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warns that AI could eliminate up to 50% of entry-level white-collar jobs in the UK within five years, highlighting potential widespread employment disruption. City AM
A new report details China's push to dominate artificial intelligence, including the construction of over 250 AI-focused data centers nationwide to support large-scale AI systems. SpaceNews
The UK government estimates that AI can perform 62% of tasks handled by junior civil servants, suggesting significant potential for automation in the public sector. POLITICO
Thanks for reading AI Education News! Subscribe for free to receive the weekly newsletter.