Teachers, Meet the Algorithm

Tech

Teachers, Meet the Algorithm

What's going on: If artificial intelligence feels like a group project where the kids came prepared, and the adults didn’t, you’re not wrong. Students embraced AI at warp speed. Educators, understandably, took a beat — and schools nationwide have swung from full-on AI bans to official partnerships. Teachers’ goals now? Learn the AI tools, keep them at arm’s length, and set the rules before the tech does. In New York City, educators recently tested AI tools for lesson plans and class prep at a hands-on workshop, per NBC News. The National Academy for AI Instruction, a new effort backed by teachers’ unions and, yes, AI heavyweights, hosted the event. The session reflects a growing debate that’s been simmering since ChatGPT took off in late 2022: How (and if) AI should be used in the classroom.

What it means: Teachers aren’t exactly giving AI an A+. While the bots can help with some tasks, like making flashcards, most educators agree that it shouldn’t be grading papers. At the high school level, 84% of students already use generative AI for school work. Teachers worry that further relying on “Professor AI” could lead to less actual learning, and they want to empower their students to view AI with a critical eye. Experts suggest that parents and teachers both set boundaries by outlining clear rules, specifying what’s OK (it can’t write your term paper, but can it proofread with supervision?), and checking in often. The goal is simple: Use AI as a tool, not a crutch, and keep humans in charge of the thinking.

Related: Remember DeepSeek? What’s Going On With That? (CNBC)

The News in 5

🗞️ Elon Musk’s Grok AI is under fire after reports it generated sexualized images of minors and women, including Kate Middleton.

🗞️ President Donald Trump is worried he could be impeached if Republicans do this one thing.

🗞️ The NRA is suing…itself (kind of). 

🗞️ A new report outlines how the Trump administration weakened abortion rights last year. 

🗞️ One company is selling “autofocus” glasses. Reading menus just got a tech upgrade.

Tech

Paging the Doctor… or AI

What’s going on: If you’ve ever found yourself up late, deep in a symptom spiral, debating whether it’s worth calling a doctor — welcome to a very crowded club. More than 40 million people use ChatGPT every day for health-related questions, according to an OpenAI report first shared with Axios. OpenAI says users increasingly treat ChatGPT as an “ally,” especially when they need help with medical bills, insurance denials, or care decisions when doctors aren’t available. The report found users ask roughly 1.6 to 1.9 million health insurance questions each week. In rural and underserved areas alone, OpenAI says users send nearly 600,000 health-related messages weekly, and the majority happen outside normal clinic hours.

What it means: More than 5% of all ChatGPT messages globally now focus on health care, according to the report. Which makes sense, especially if you’ve ever tried to book an appointment or decode an insurance bill. Used carefully, the bot can help with lower-stakes needs — like translating medical jargon or preparing questions before an appointment. But use caution with the information you’re uploading, and remember that chatbot errors — especially around mental health — have already triggered lawsuits and new state limits on the tech. Now that enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies have expired, Axios notes more uninsured or underinsured people may turn to chatbots — raising the stakes around when AI helps, and when you really need a human. 

Related: Hospitals Are Testing AI — and Finding One Major Problem (WSJ Gift Link)

Tech

Get in, Kids, the Robotaxi Is Here

What’s going on: The internet (rightfully) trolled Waymo when its robotaxis hit Los Angeles roads in 2024, but parents might be getting the last laugh. The New York Times reports that families in LA are increasingly using the robotaxis to shuttle their teens and tweens from school to extracurricular activities, a friend’s house, and doctors’ appointments. Sounds so LA, right? But for many working parents, the support fills a real gap. The city lacks robust public transportation, traffic never seems to stop, and not everyone can afford a nanny. Some parents say they feel more comfortable with Waymo because there isn’t a driver, aka a total stranger, despite the higher price tag. But who’s going to tell their kids to buckle up?

What it means: It might be a while before Waymo cars cruise through your neighborhood’s school zones. For now, only families in five major cities can use Waymo for pick-up and drop-off: Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. As the company works to expand to more cities, including Miami and Dallas, others rely on rideshare apps like these to get the job done or carpooling. Still, we’re talking about VIPs here — so whatever option you choose, it’s important to vet the drivers, read up on cancellation or accident policies, and check the company’s track record. Even Waymo isn’t without its faults, with tech glitches and even deadly pet accidents.

Related: Are Robotaxis Really Safer Than Human Drivers? (Bloomberg Gift Link)

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

A few things to jot down today…

🗓️ Nick Reiner is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles. 

🗓️ Abbott Elementary’s Janelle James and Heated Rivalry’s Connor Storrie will present the Actor Awards nominations, while the other Heated hunk, Hudson Williams, will be on Fallon.

🗓️ Want a blast from the ‘90s? It’s National Bobblehead Day.

Psst…For more dates worth knowing this week, check out the Skimm+ calendar.

Know It All

This state dethroned Florida as the lightning strike capital of the nation.

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.