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- Colleges Harness AI for Effective Learning as MIT Tackles Generative AI's Climate Impact
Colleges Harness AI for Effective Learning as MIT Tackles Generative AI's Climate Impact
Niel de Kock
January 16, 2025
Welcome to the latest news in AI and AI in educational news.
Education AI News
Tackling Generative AI’s Climate Impact: Insights from Vijay Gadepally
Generative AI, increasingly integral across industries, poses significant environmental challenges due to its energy-intensive nature. Vijay Gadepally from MIT Lincoln Laboratory outlines strategies to mitigate its climate impact. At the Lincoln Laboratory Supercomputing Center, initiatives include reducing power consumption via power capping, scheduling AI tasks during low energy demand, and terminating non-productive computations. A notable achievement is a climate-aware computer vision tool that adjusts model fidelity based on real-time carbon emissions, sometimes reducing emissions by 80%.
Gadepally emphasizes consumer awareness and transparency, suggesting AI providers offer data on emissions, akin to carbon footprint labels on flights. Generating one AI image can emit as much carbon as driving four miles. Future mitigation efforts will require collaboration between AI developers, data centers, and energy grids to achieve greater efficiencies and sustainability in generative AI usage.
College Embraces AI as an Essential Learning Tool
Basingstoke College of Technology in Hampshire is incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its teaching methods, guiding students on how to use AI responsibly and effectively. Principal Anthony Bravo emphasized the inevitability of AI in education and its future workplace applications, urging students to embrace the technology outside of exam conditions.
AI is being used by students to assist with tasks like fact-checking and starting assignments, though not for generating complete work. Teachers also benefit by saving up to five hours per week in lesson planning and presentation preparation.
The college addresses concerns about misuse by educating students on ethical AI practices, such as avoiding over-reliance or plagiarism. Technology assistant Benjamin Miller noted that AI was once a "taboo subject," but is now recognized as an essential skill for future careers. Tutor Jack Roche highlighted the importance of directly confronting AI-related challenges to ensure students are prepared to responsibly navigate its risks and opportunities.
Avantis Education Unveils Eduverse+ VR and AI Learning Tools at FETC 2025
Avantis Education showcased its innovative Eduverse+ platform at the Future of Education Technology Conference 2025 in Florida, highlighting immersive VR and AI solutions designed to enhance K-12 education. Eduverse+ provides tools for lesson planning, AI-generated 360° content creation, and personalized student learning experiences. Features include interactive 3D STEAM models, 360° wildlife videos through WildWorld, and CareerHub, a VR tool offering insights into STEAM careers.
Avantis launched Eduverse+ in 2024 to meet growing demand for sophisticated classroom experiences and content creation. Its partnership with ICESCO introduced immersive learning solutions to four Islamic community member states, emphasizing global expansion and impactful education innovation. With over 1,100 interactive resources, Eduverse+ is poised to transform modern classrooms.
AGI Is Coming In 2025: Schools Must Act Now
With OpenAI CEO Sam Altman predicting the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) by 2025, education systems face an urgent need to adapt. AGI, defined as systems that outperform humans in economically valuable tasks, is expected to revolutionize industries and society. Schools must prepare students for this transformation by:
Embracing AI as a Collaborative Partner: Teachers should leverage AI tools to guide exploration, foster human creativity, and redefine learning and teaching roles.
Fostering Critical Thinking and Ethical Awareness: Education must emphasize interdisciplinary learning, adaptability, and ethical decision-making to help students navigate AI's societal impact.
Promoting Lifelong Learning: Rapid AI advancements demand a culture of continuous skill acquisition and adaptability, requiring structural reforms in education systems.
Equity and access remain critical, with targeted investments needed to bridge the digital divide and ensure inclusive benefits from AI-powered tools. By embracing collaboration, adaptability, and ethics, educators can prepare students for AGI-driven opportunities while mitigating risks and inequalities.
Tackling ‘Brain Rot’ in Schools: A District's Approach to Digital Challenges
The term "brain rot," Oxford’s 2024 word of the year, reflects concerns about the effects of excessive low-quality digital content on youth. Schools are seeing shortened attention spans, weakened social skills, and difficulty with sustained focus among students.
Educators and experts point to the dopamine-driven appeal of social media, which encourages overuse and inhibits learning. Research highlights that even having a phone nearby can reduce focus, while quick content cycles hinder memory retention.
The Baldwin Union Free School District in New York combats these issues by banning phones in classrooms and emphasizing media literacy. Initiatives include family field days promoting in-person connections and wellness centers offering behavioral and academic support. Superintendent Shari Camhi stresses empathy and positive reinforcement, teaching students to critically evaluate online content.
Through media literacy and structured activities, Baldwin aims to create balance, foster emotional readiness, and help students thrive in an increasingly digital world.
AI News
NALA: Breaking Barriers in the Art World
NALA, founded by MIT alumnus Benjamin Gulak, is revolutionizing the art market by connecting artists directly with buyers through AI-powered recommendations. The platform bypasses traditional galleries, ensuring artists keep 100% of their earnings while offering buyers diverse and affordable art. With features like personalized recommendations and photo-based art discovery, NALA fosters inclusivity, supporting over 8,500 artists and 20,000 users. By merging technology and creativity, NALA makes the art world more accessible for creators and collectors.
Timing Matters: Machine Learning Sheds Light on Hearing
MIT neuroscientists at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research have developed advanced machine-learning models to study how the brain processes sound, emphasizing the importance of precise auditory timing. Their research shows that neurons in the ear fire signals with sub-millisecond precision to aid in recognizing voices and localizing sounds. Using artificial neural networks mimicking human auditory processing, researchers confirmed that degraded signal timing hampers key auditory abilities, such as distinguishing voices in noise. These findings have significant implications for diagnosing hearing loss and improving hearing aids and cochlear implants, paving the way for more effective interventions.
£2bn AI Centre to Bring 750 Jobs to Essex
Nscale plans to invest £2 billion to build the UK’s largest AI data centre in Loughton, Essex, by 2026. The project will create 750 jobs, including 500 during construction and 250 for operations.
The state-of-the-art facility aims to boost growth and enhance services like healthcare and defence, aligning with the UK government’s strategy to lead in AI innovation. Local leaders and experts view the development as a transformative opportunity, with £14 billion in recent tech investments further supporting the nation’s AI ambitions.
Google Partners with AP to Deliver Real-Time News via Gemini AI
Google has partnered with The Associated Press (AP) to integrate real-time news updates into its generative AI chatbot, Gemini, marking the first such deal with a news publisher. AP’s content will enhance Gemini’s ability to provide timely and accurate information, a move that aligns with AP’s commitment to unbiased journalism.
This partnership follows similar agreements between AI firms and news organizations, such as OpenAI’s licensing of AP’s archives, as publishers seek to safeguard revenue while adapting to AI's impact. Critics caution that such deals may commodify journalism, as tech companies gain control over how content is used and monetized.
Gemini, formerly Bard, is part of Google’s effort to advance generative AI tools for various applications, while navigating challenges like copyright concerns and maintaining information quality. The collaboration highlights the evolving relationship between AI and traditional media.
The Near-Term Future of AI in Health Care
AI's near-term potential in healthcare lies in complementing clinicians rather than replacing them. It excels in managing "invisible tasks" such as data collection, analysis, and administrative workflows. Tools like Oracle’s AI-powered electronic health records and Microsoft’s AI documentation systems are alleviating administrative burdens, allowing providers to focus on patient care.
AI also enhances precision healthcare by identifying and analyzing critical data, aiding in decision-making for treatments like cell and gene therapy. It streamlines operations by optimizing staff scheduling, improving team coordination, and reducing burnout, ultimately boosting productivity and operational efficiency.
Contrary to fears of diminishing human connection, AI empowers healthcare professionals by automating time-intensive tasks, enabling them to deliver exceptional, patient-centered care.
AI Tools
SpeedStudy: Transform Your Study Materials with AI
SpeedStudy is an AI-powered tool designed to help students ace their exams by turning course materials into concise summaries and personalized quizzes. Supporting multiple languages, SpeedStudy streamlines preparation with three simple steps: uploading course materials, selecting result options (summaries, quizzes, or both), and receiving tailored outputs in minutes.
With a free plan offering one summary and quiz, and a premium plan at $12/month providing up to 100 summaries and quizzes, larger document processing, and priority support, SpeedStudy caters to various study needs. Perfect for any subject, the platform supports multiple file formats and allows users to select quiz question types for personalized practice.
SpeedStudy simplifies learning, making study sessions efficient and effective with AI-driven tools.
AimDash: Transform Your Goals into Reality
AimDash is a goal-setting and tracking platform designed to help users define, monitor, and achieve their objectives with ease. It combines powerful analytics and an intuitive interface to simplify progress tracking and milestone achievement.
Key Features:
Set Your Goals: Define clear, actionable goals with deadlines, priorities, and custom categories.
Track Progress: Use visual dashboards and detailed metrics to monitor your journey.
Achieve Milestones: Break down goals into manageable steps and celebrate your wins.
AI Assistance: Leverage the AI Goal Planning Assistant for personalized guidance and strategies.
Progress Analytics: Gain insights into your performance with visual data tools.
Pricing:
Lifetime Access: $24 one-time payment
Includes unlimited goals, task management, recurring goals, priority levels, visual analytics, and AI features.
Join thousands of users on AimDash and start turning your goals into reality today!