Online and Professional Continuing Education News
See below for a listing of curated news articles of the day brought to you by Ray Schroeder, Senior Fellow at UPCEA.
Sign up for daily updates
- Google embraces AI in the classroom with new Gemini tools for educators, chatbots for students, and more - Sarah Perez, TechCrunchGoogle on Monday announced a series of updates intended to bring its Gemini AI and other AI-powered tools deeper into the classroom. At the ISTE edtech conference, the tech giant introduced more than 30 AI tools for educators, a version of the Gemini app built for education, expanded access to its collaborative video creation app […]
- Congress might block state AI laws for a decade. Here’s what it means. - Rebecca Bellan & Maxwell Zeff, Tech CrunchA federal proposal that would ban states and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years could soon be signed into law, as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other lawmakers work to secure its inclusion into a GOP megabill ahead of a key July 4 deadline. Those in favor – including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Anduril’s […]
- Most & Least Educated Cities in America (2025) - Adam McCann, WalletHubCities want to attract highly educated workers to fuel their economic growth and tax revenues. Higher levels of education tend to lead to higher salaries. Plus, the more that graduates earn, the more tax dollars they contribute over time, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In turn, educated people want to live somewhere where they […]
- The real work of leadership that many don’t talk about - Mark Magellan, Fast CompanySupporting your people begins with seeing the wholeness of those you lead. The Japanese term sei-katsu-sha—which describes seeing a person in the fullness of their lifestyle, dreams, and aspirations—captures this beautifully. Everyone is unique—get to know their specific flavor. What makes each person tick? What makes their heart sing? What motivates them? When they take […]
- 5 signals that make you instantly more trustworthy at work - Scott Hutcheson, Fast CompanyYour brain and body are constantly sending subtle signals that influence trust. Here’s how to send them more intentionally. The signals that trigger trust are not abstract: they’re cues the human brain is wired to read quickly and deeply, because in evolutionary terms, deciding whether someone was safe to approach was once a matter of […]
- 'We need to become more AI literate', says Irish expert - James Cox, Breaking News IrelandArtificial intelligence (AI) learning should go beyond the basics of AI literacy to equip students for the future, according to an Irish expert. Dr Gearóid Ó Súilleabháin is head of the Department of Technology Enhanced Learning at Munster Technological University (MTU), where he leads the development and management of online and blended programmes, promotes research […]
- Keep in Mind That AI Is Multimodal Now - Ray Schroeder, Inside Higher EdMany of us are using AI only as a replacement for Google Search. In order to more fully utilize the remarkable range of capabilities of AI today, we need to become comfortable with the many input and output modes that are available. From audio, voice, image and stunning video to massive formally formatted documents, spreadsheets, […]
- The US Department of Education is far behind on producing key statistics - Dominique J. Baker, BrookingsThe Department of Education missed its June 1 deadline to release the full Condition of Education report, instead publishing a limited version following public attention. The 2024 Digest of Education Statistics includes just 27 tables by the deadline—far fewer than the nearly 270, on average, published in prior years. Cuts to staff and canceled contracts […]
- The AI Backlash Keeps Growing Stronger - Reece Rogers, WiredThe negative response online is indicative of a larger trend: Right now, though a growing number of Americans use ChatGPT, many people are sick of AI’s encroachment into their lives and are ready to fight back. The impacts of generative AI on the workforce are another core issue that critics are organizing around. “Workers are […]
- No One Is in Charge at the US Copyright Office - Kate Knibbs, WiredIt’s a tumultuous time for copyright in the United States, with dozens of potentially economy-shaking AI copyright lawsuits winding through the courts. Described as “sleepy” in the past, the Copyright Office has taken on new prominence during the AI boom, issuing key rulings about AI and copyright. It also hasn’t had a leader in more […]
- Universities need to ‘redefine cheating’ in age of AI - Times Higher EdArtificial intelligence has “blurred the line” between what constitutes academic support and what should be seen as misconduct, necessitating a rethink on what is considered cheating, according to a new study. A fifth (22 per cent) of students surveyed for the paper, “How vulnerable are UK universities to cheating with new GenAI tools?”, admitted using […]
- Supporting continuity of learning in Ukraine - UNESCO Global Education CoalitionAn initiative of UNESCO's Global Education CoalitionUNESCO’s Digital teacher training course, with funding from Google.org, supports teachers in Ukraine in developing digital skills and using digital tools to deliver quality distance and hybrid education. To date, nearly 77,400 teachers have enrolled in the course, representing over 1 in 4 teachers in Ukraine, with a certification […]
- Navigating the Digital Landscape: How Online Learning is Changing the Way We Build Skills - BNO NewsThe way we learn new skills has changed dramatically in recent years. Thanks to online learning platforms, gaining new qualifications has never been more convenient. Whether you’re looking to boost your career or pick up a personal interest, there’s now a course for almost anything—without ever stepping into a traditional classroom. From technical certifications to […]
- What is multimodal AI? - McKinseyMultimodal AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can understand and process different types of information, such as text, images, audio, and video, all at the same time. Multimodal gen AI models produce outputs based on these various inputs. Multimodal models mirror the brain’s ability to combine sensory inputs for a nuanced, holistic understanding […]
- Scientists forge path to the first million-qubit processor for quantum computers after 'decade in the making' breakthrough - Owen Hughes, Live ScienceScientists have developed a new type of computer chip that removes a major obstacle to practical quantum computers, making it possible for the first time to place millions of qubits and their control systems on the same device.The new control chip operates at cryogenic temperatures close to absolute zero (about minus 459.67 degrees Fahrenheit, or […]
- GPT-5: The AI That Will End The World As We Know It - Julia McCoy, YouTubeThis podcast episode delves into the much-anticipated release of OpenAI's GPT-5, heralding it as a groundbreaking advancement in artificial intelligence that will reshape our world. The episode outlines a potential release by the summer of 2025, with some speculating a later release in December. The discussion highlights the expected capabilities of GPT-5, which are predicted […]
- Harvard Kennedy School offers international students backup online and distance learning options - Emily Piper-Vallillo, WBURThe Harvard Kennedy School this week announced backup plans for its international students in case the federal government prevents them from returning to Harvard or entering the U.S. All international students can complete coursework online while returning students also have the option to finish their studies at University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs […]
- Higher Ed's AI Panic Is Missing the Point | Opinion - Annie K. Lamar, NewsweekThere are already cracks in the AI-detection fantasy. Tools like GPTZero and Turnitin's AI checker routinely wrongly accuse multilingual students, disabled students, and those who write in non-standard dialects. In these systems, the less a student "sounds like a college student," the more likely they are to be accused of cheating. Meanwhile, many students, especially […]
- How People Use Claude for Support, Advice, and Companionship - AnthropicAffective conversations are relatively rare, and AI-human companionship is rarer still. Only 2.9% of Claude.ai interactions are affective conversations (which aligns with findings from previous research by OpenAI). Companionship and roleplay combined comprise less than 0.5% of conversations. People seek Claude's help for practical, emotional, and existential concerns. Topics and concerns discussed with Claude range […]
- The Year of Quantum: From concept to reality in 2025 - McKinseyWhen it comes to quantum technology (QT), investment is surging and breakthroughs are multiplying. The United Nations has designated 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, celebrating 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. Our research confirms that QT is gaining widespread traction worldwide. McKinsey’s fourth annual Quantum Technology Monitor covers […]
Other Curated News:
News from UPCEA:
Federal Funding Pause Blocked by U.S. District Judge, Memo Rescinded | Policy Matters (January 2025)
At 11th hour, judge blocks Trump’s pause on federal funding (Higher Ed Dive) “UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2025: A U.S. District judge halted the government’s temporary freeze on federal funding just minutes before it was set to take effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to news reports….
Should I Get Microcredentials To Complement My Four-Year Degree In Today’s Job Market? (Forbes)
“Think about a professional stepping into the workforce—equipped with the strategic insights cultivated during a four-year business degree and bolstered by technical expertise gained through microcredentials. This balanced blend of broad understanding and specialized skills does more than make them competitive; it prepares them to…
The Rise of Multidisciplinary Research Stimulated by AI Research Tools
A revolution is quietly taking place in academic and scholarly research prompted by the advent of AI research tools. This will reshape the very nature of our studies and greatly accelerate synergies and collaborations across academic fields. AI research tools such as OpenAI o1 have…
The Nation's Top Universities Choose UPCEA Consulting
Informed decisions. Ideas that work. The data you need. Trusted by the top universities in the nation.