Center for Digital Education (CDE)

ORLANDO — In 2025, Erin Smith was experiencing what she labeled a “burnout decision paralysis,” unable to initiate a task from her seemingly endless to-do list. Wanting support and unsure where to look first, she decided to ask ChatGPT for help. While not her end-all solution to a mounting mental health crisis, Smith, director of learning sciences and innovation at Socrates Preparatory School in Florida, said she was stunned by the chatbot’s abilities.

University of Virginia Closes Alumni Gmail Accounts The university is deactivating alumni email accounts because of the increased cost of the Gmail service as well as the intrinsic cybersecurity risks, prompting a petition from hundreds of former students. Eli Lerdau, The Daily Progress, Charlottesville, Va. (TNS) — The University of Virginia has deactivated the Google email accounts for alumni and former students.

(TNS) — The idea of students learning from intelligent robots instead of teachers has long been a staple of futuristic science fiction. In Salamanca, the future is now. Realbotix Corporation, a developer of humanoid robots and AI systems, is partnering with Salamanca City Central School District for its pilot program to launch Optio, an AI teaching assistant initiative.

(TNS) — Earlier this year, administrators at Lake Zurich High School confronted a growing challenge facing schools nationwide: students using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates. After reporting the matter to police, the district launched a series of student and family education efforts focused on online safety and responsible technology use.

It’s hard to be a school leader. Between long hours, mounting responsibilities and growing accountability mandates, today's principals and superintendents are expected to wear more hats than ever before. Panelists at ISTELive 26 flagged that schools will continue to grapple with administrator shortages unless districts fundamentally change how leaders are identified, prepared and supported throughout their careers, rather than relying on traditional credentialing programs alone.

(TNS) — The Trump administration is delaying tens of millions of dollars in federal research grants to some of Texas' biggest universities. While many institutions said they hope to eventually receive approval for the money, the administration's plans remain unclear amid a larger overhaul of the system by which grant applications are evaluated. Experts warn the holdup is leaving some universities to put research plans on hold. "The problem is uncertainty.

(TNS) — Within a $5 million laboratory on the University of Idaho's Coeur d'Alene campus, a host of intelligent robots wait for their next command. There's a two-fingered robot named Larry clacking away at piano keys. There's a sentient pin ball machine learning to play itself through trial and error. There's four autonomous robotic arms, each capable of carrying up to 400 pounds.

(TNS) — They're in our pockets and purses, on our desks and drawers, in the car and on the counter. Yet nobody really knows how much screen time is too much for our health.

College Leaders Gather to Collaborate on AI Adoption Complete College America’s AI and Student Success Summit this week drew nearly 200 participants from 30 institutions across the country to discuss proactively building governance and infrastructure. Nearly 200 participants from more than 30 higher education institutions this week gathered to make concrete plans for AI governance, infrastructure and change management.

(TNS) — Idaho school districts are preparing for a host of new laws taking effect July 1 on issues ranging from social transitions to moments of silence and teacher unions. After each legislative session, school districts must update their policies and implement new practices to comply with the new laws. Sometimes, the new laws are simple to implement, while other times, they require major changes.