Keir Starmer inaugurates Google’s AI campus in London
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer inaugurated London’s first Google-backed AI Campus in Camden on Wednesday. The facility aims to equip young people with vital skills in AI and machine learning, addressing the growing demand for expertise in these areas. Located near Google’s upcoming offices in King’s Cross, the campus has already launched a two-year pilot project for students aged 16 to 18.
The pilot cohort of 32 students will benefit from AI-focused mentoring and resources provided by Google’s DeepMind. They will engage in real-world projects that integrate AI with health, social sciences, and the arts. The campus, a collaboration between Google and local authorities, seeks to inspire students from diverse backgrounds to envision themselves as leaders in the AI-driven future.
Starmer hailed the initiative as a transformative step for young people, particularly those in challenging circumstances. He emphasised that the programme represents a significant milestone in preparing the next generation to navigate AI’s boundless potential. ‘The possibilities of AI are incredible, and projects like this will shape the future,’ he stated.
Google further announced £865,000 in funding for a national AI literacy programme. This initiative, led by the Raspberry Pi Foundation and Parent Zone, aims to train teachers and reach 250,000 students by 2026. Debbie Weinstein, Google’s UK and Ireland managing director, highlighted the programme’s role in ensuring that AI’s vast opportunities are accessible to all, potentially unlocking £400 billion in economic benefits for the UK.
OpenAI and Common Sense Media launch AI training for teachers
OpenAI, in partnership with Common Sense Media, has introduced a free training course aimed at helping teachers understand AI and prompt engineering. The course is designed to equip educators with the skills to use ChatGPT effectively in classrooms, including creating lesson content and streamlining administrative tasks.
The launch comes as OpenAI increases its efforts to promote the positive educational uses of ChatGPT, which became widely popular after its release in November 2022. While the tool’s potential for aiding students has been recognised, its use also sparked concerns about cheating and plagiarism.
Leah Belsky, formerly of Coursera and now leading OpenAI’s education efforts, emphasised the importance of teaching both students and teachers to use AI responsibly. Belsky noted that student adoption of ChatGPT is high, with many parents viewing AI literacy as crucial for future careers. The training is available on Common Sense Media’s website, marking the first of many initiatives in this partnership.
AI and coding empower Indonesian students
Indonesian students are now encouraged to explore AI and coding to unlock new talents and prepare for a tech-driven future. Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar stated that the option to study these subjects opens opportunities for young people, but she urged schools to make these courses voluntary rather than mandatory, allowing students to choose these areas of study according to their interests.
AI and coding education is part of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s vision for a ‘Golden Indonesia’, aiming to create a generation equipped with essential digital skills. The initiative seeks to introduce these courses at both primary and secondary education levels, supporting Indonesia’s global competitiveness in a world increasingly shaped by technology.
The internet, widely accessible across Indonesia, offers new avenues for self-directed learning in AI and coding, according to Umar. She pointed out that many Indonesian game developers have already taught themselves coding through online resources, demonstrating that digital skills can be acquired outside formal educational settings.
Umar highlighted the potential of AI and coding to inspire Indonesia’s youth, noting that with the right digital knowledge, young Indonesians can become innovative leaders. Harnessing this potential could foster new ideas and entrepreneurial success, helping to fulfil Indonesia’s vision of a future led by a skilled, tech-savvy generation.
Coventry University project bridges education gap in Vietnam with AI tools
Coventry University researchers are using AI to support teachers in northern Vietnam‘s rural communities, where access to technology and training is often limited. Led by Dr Petros Lameras, the GameAid project introduces educators to generative AI, an advanced form of AI that creates text, images, and other materials in response to prompts, helping teachers improve lesson development and classroom engagement.
The GameAid initiative uses a game-based approach to demonstrate AI’s practical benefits, providing tools and guidelines that enable teachers to integrate AI into their curriculum. Dr Lameras highlights the project’s importance in transforming educators’ technological skills, while Dr Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen from Hanoi University emphasises its potential to close the educational gap between Vietnam’s urban and rural areas.
The initiative is seen as a key step towards promoting equal learning opportunities, offering much-needed educational resources to under-represented groups. Researchers at Coventry hope that their work will support more positive learning outcomes across Vietnam’s diverse educational landscape.
AI cheating scandal at University sparks concern
Hannah, a university student, admits to using AI to complete an essay when overwhelmed by deadlines and personal illness. Struggling with COVID and intense academic pressure, she turned to AI for help but later faced an academic misconduct hearing. Though cleared due to insufficient evidence, Hannah warns others about the risks of relying on AI tools for dishonest purposes.
Universities now grapple with teaching students to use AI responsibly while preventing misuse. A lecturer discovered Hannah’s essay had been generated by AI using detection software, reflecting the complexities of monitoring academic integrity. Some institutions prohibit AI unless explicitly approved, while others allow limited use for grammar checks or structural guidance if properly cited.
Lecturers note that AI-generated content often lacks coherence and critical thinking. Dr Sarah Lieberman from Canterbury Christchurch University explains how AI-produced essays can be spotted easily, describing them as lacking the human touch. Nonetheless, she acknowledges AI’s potential benefits, such as generating ideas or guiding students in their research, if used appropriately.
Students hold mixed views on AI in education. Some embrace it as a helpful tool for structuring work or exam preparation, while others resist it, preferring to rely on their efforts. A Department for Education spokesperson emphasises the need for universities to find a balance between maintaining academic integrity and preparing students for the workplace by equipping them with essential AI skills.
AI training could transform Portugal’s workforce by 2030
A recent study by McKinsey highlights that Portugal must retrain around 1.3 million workers, about 30% of its workforce, by 2030 to adopt generative AI and close its productivity gap with the rest of the European Union. Portugal has long struggled with low productivity, which has contributed minimally to GDP growth compared to the EU average. However, the study predicts that by rapidly integrating AI and automation, the country could significantly boost productivity, matching projected EU levels.
Generative AI, which creates content like text and images based on past data, could help Portugal compete with more developed economies if the workforce is prepared for the technological shift. This change will also require the public, private, and education sectors to collaborate in reshaping job roles and work processes. For every euro invested in AI technology, McKinsey suggests that three euros will be needed for managing organisational transitions.
Besides upskilling 1.3 million workers, the study indicates that around 320,000 employees in roles like customer service will need to transition to new jobs. This large-scale transformation could position Portugal for stronger economic growth in the coming years.
Massachusetts parents sue school over AI use dispute
The parents of a Massachusetts high school senior are suing Hingham High School and its district after their son received a “D” grade and detention for using AI in a social studies project. Jennifer and Dale Harris, the plaintiffs, argue that their son was unfairly punished, as there was no rule in the school’s handbook prohibiting AI use at the time. They claim the grade has impacted his eligibility for the National Honor Society and his applications to top-tier universities like Stanford and MIT.
The lawsuit, filed in Plymouth County District Court, alleges the school’s actions could cause “irreparable harm” to the student’s academic future. Jennifer Harris stated that their son’s use of AI should not be considered cheating, arguing that AI-generated content belongs to the creator. The school, however, classified it as plagiarism. The family’s lawyer, Peter Farrell, contends that there’s widespread information supporting their view that using AI isn’t plagiarism.
The Harrises are seeking to have their son’s grade changed and his academic record cleared. They emphasised that while they can’t reverse past punishments like detention, the school can still adjust his grade and confirm that he did not cheat. Hingham Public Schools has not commented on the ongoing litigation.
New Roli Airwave makes learning piano easier with AI
Roli, the London-based company known for its innovative musical products, has introduced the Airwave system, designed to make learning the piano easier by integrating AI and hand-tracking technology. Airwave works with Roli’s existing keyboards, utilising 3D cameras to track hand movements, providing a personalised and immersive learning experience. This system, compatible with Roli’s Seaboard and the newly rebranded Piano M, aims to simplify piano lessons while enhancing creativity.
Airwave’s key feature combines light-up keys and hand-tracking, giving users real-time feedback on their playing. The system is powered by Roli Music Intelligence (MI), an AI platform trained on large language models. Users can interact with the system through voice commands for tips, chord help, and access to complete songs, making it a versatile educational tool.
Beyond education, Airwave also caters to musicians seeking creative expression. The system allows players to manipulate sounds and instruments through gestures, much like a conductor. Priced at $299, Airwave is available for preorder.