This episode covers a massive amount of AI-related news and research, especially developments over the past week, including ChatGPT's new "study mode," major platform announcements from Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, generative video and music tools, and the implications of AI on jobs and education. The episode also highlights a new Stanford GenAI for Education hub and discusses current AI policy and access initiatives globally. News ChatGPT Study Mode: https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-study-mode/ Simon Willison info on the system prompt for Study Mode: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jul/29/openai-introducing-study-mode/ Dr Philippa Hardman's LinkedIn post on Study Mode: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dr-philippa-hardman-057851120_as-a-member-of-openais-educator-advisor-ugcPost-7356234831929696256-OF6k Google announced “Guided Learning” mode for Gemini https://blog.google/products/gemini/google-ai-pro-students-learning/ Open models by OpenAI https://openai.com/open-models/ Google released Gemini Storybooks https://gemini.google/overview/storybook/ ElevenLabs dropped a new multi-lingual music generation model https://elevenlabs.io/music OpenAI giving ChatGPT Enterprise to every US Federal Government department for $1 a year https://openai.com/index/providing-chatgpt-to-the-entire-us-federal-workforce/ Microsoft Copilot released for 13+ students https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/EducationBlog/microsoft-365-copilot-chat-for-students-13/4412957 18 months. 12,000 questions. A whole lot of anxiety. What I learned from reading students’ ChatGPT logs https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/27/it-wants-users-hooked-and-jonesing-for-their-next-fix-are-young-people-becoming-too-reliant-on-ai The Presidential AI Challenge https://orise.orau.gov/ai-challenge/ Research GenAI for Education Hub at Stanford University https://scale.stanford.edu/genai/repository Working with AI: Measuring the Occupational Implications of Generative AI https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.07935 Prompting Science Report 3: I'll pay you or I'll kill you - but will you care? https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5375404
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Not Cheating - Learning: Students on Using AI Ethically
In this eye-opening episode of the podcast, hosts Ray and Dan are joined by a remarkable group of students from All Hallows School in Queensland. Part of the student-led series 12, this conversation dives into how teens are really using AI in their schoolwork. And it’s far more sophisticated than you might think. From using Gemini and ChatGPT to find historical sources and generate study guides, to marking their own assignments with AI before submission, these students aren’t cutting corners. They talk openly about how they’re finding smarter ways to learn. The discussion explores ethical concerns like plagiarism, cheating, and data privacy, as well as creative uses of AI in coding, English, and even video production.
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From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education
From Harvard bots to Aussie classrooms: the state of AI in education In this solo news and research roundup, Ray covers some of the biggest recent stories in AI and education – from high-profile case studies to practical tools for teachers and real concerns from students. Links for what’s in this week's episode: New AI training modules for Australian teachers Education Services Australia has released a set of lesson-ready resources to help teachers guide students in safe, effective AI use – including interactive activities and a certificate aligned with AITSL standards. https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/ai/professional-learning/gen-ai-readiness-and-implementation-modules/#GenAI_Module2 Harvard Business School’s chatbot tutor A deep dive into how Harvard embedded a custom AI tutor into its accounting course – used by 75% of students, with a surprising impact on learning and classroom discussion. https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/ai-tutor-bots-harvard-business-school Student appeals and the limits of AI detection tools The UK’s higher ed ombudsman has warned universities about relying too heavily on detection software, especially when it comes to vulnerable student groups. OIA article: https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/latest-news-and-updates/oia-publishes-a-casework-note-and-case-summaries-about-artificial-intelligence-ai-and-academic-misconduct/ Case summaries: https://www.oiahe.org.uk/resources-and-publications/case-summaries/ TES Report: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/students-win-plagiarism-appeals-over-generative-ai-detection-tool ASBA AI Preparedness Survey - June 2025 A recent survey of 50 independent schools shows most are still playing catch-up on AI governance, staff training, and clear policies. https://www.asba.asn.au/public/265/files/National/ASBA%20AI%20Preparedness%20Survey%20Report%20-%20June%202025(1).pdf NSW Auditor report on universities for 2024 https://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/Final%20report%20-%20Universities%202024.pdf Canvas and ChatGPT join forces Instructure has announced native AI integration into Canvas LMS, including AI-powered assignments that track learning progress directly into the gradebook. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/instructure-and-openai-announce-global-partnership-to-embed-ai-learning-experiences-within-canvas-302511709.html Scientists reportedly hiding AI text prompts in academic papers to receive positive peer reviews Reports emerge of researchers embedding hidden prompts into papers to game AI peer review tools. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Artificial-intelligence/Positive-review-only-Researchers-hide-AI-prompts-in-papers https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/14/scientists-reportedly-hiding-ai-text-prompts-in-academic-papers-to-receive-positive-peer-reviews What students really think New surveys from the UK and Australia show that students are keen to use AI, but feel underprepared and unsupported. They want more guidance – not just for study, but for their future careers. UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/parent-pupil-and-learner-voice-omnibus-surveys-for-2024-to-2025/parent-pupil-and-learner-voice-march-2025#sec-gen-ai Australia: https://aiinhe.org/
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AI, Assessments & A-Graders: A Student's POV
AI, Assessments & A-Graders: A Student's POV What happens when AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s VEO3 land in the hands of curious, creative high schoolers? In this episode, we talk with Caitlyn, a Year 11 student from Sydney, who gives us a front-row seat to how students are really using AI in school right now. From refining English essays with high-modality language to producing eye-catching videos that bring creative writing to life, Caitlyn shows how AI has become her on-demand study buddy, grammar coach, and even a research assistant. She unpacks how her school’s “traffic light system” guides ethical AI use and reveals what happens when students take ownership of the tools and the learning. Caitlyn’s perspective offers a grounded, inspiring look at the future of learning with AI. Links Caitlin's VEO3 video for the creative writing exercise, that created the change momentum. VEO3 (Google’s video AI tool) - only currently available to paid Gemini or Flow subscribers. The AI Assessment Scale (which Caitlin calls the Traffic Light System, although the AIAS team have moved away from that model a bit) for appropriate AI use in assignments. Ray mentioned a study comparing student trust in feedback from teachers vs. AI
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Union-Powered AI: PD Meets Big Tech
Union-Powered AI: PD Meets Big Tech This solo news-and-research roundup unpacks a blockbuster fortnight for AI in education, highlighting a landmark partnership between U.S. teacher unions and tech companies that could rewrite professional development. Headlines AFT × UFT × Microsoft/OpenAI/Anthropic – launch the National Academy for AI Instruction (US $23 M) to train 400,000 educators as AI-savvy professionals Announcement: https://www.aft.org/press-release/aft-launch-national-academy-ai-instruction-microsoft-openai-anthropic-and-united AI Instruction website: https://aiinstruction.org/ Google “Gemini for Education” – 30 generative tools for lesson design, rubrics & more (ISTE 2025 reveal). Blog post: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/gemini-iste-2025/ 21 page announcement PDF: https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/gfe_launch_guide_iste2025.pdf White House “EDAI” pledge – 67 “AI Education & Workforce Champions” commit resources for schools https://www.whitehouse.gov/edai/ And a questioning post from James O'Hagan Microsoft Elevate & AI Economy Institute – New Microsoft philanthropy arm plus research fellowships on AI, work & learning. Microsoft Announcement: https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-issues/2025/07/09/elevate/ Microsoft Elevate: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/elevate AI for Good Lab: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/group/ai-for-good-research-lab/ai-economy-institute/ Research spotlights Teaching for Tomorrow (Walton Foundation × Gallup): 60% of U.S. teachers using AI save 5.9 hrs/week, yet only 19% of schools have policies. https://www.gallup.com/analytics/659819/k-12-teacher-research.aspx Simple Techniques to Bypass Gen-AI Detectors (Perkins et al., 2024): popular text detectors flag 50% of genuine student work as AI. https://educationaltechnologyjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41239-024-00487-w Jisc briefing: even 1% false-positive rates could falsely accuse 4,800 papers/year at a 20 k-student university. https://nationalcentreforai.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2025/06/24/ai-detection-assessment-and-learning-to-use-electricity/ Riding the Tiger of AI Feedback (Aus. multi-uni, 2025): 50% of students already use AI for feedback; teachers still ranked “more helpful.” https://aiinhe.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/2025-hedx-feedback-survey-insights.pdf
Dan Bowen and Ray Fleming are experienced education renegades who have worked in many various educational institutions and educational companies across the world. They talk about Artificial Intelligence in Education - what it is, how it works, and the different ways it is being used. It's not too serious, or too technical, and is intended to be a good conversation.
Please note the views on the podcast are our own or those of our guests, and not of our respective employers (unless we say otherwise at the time!)
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