10 Biggest Updates in AI and Education This Week – July 21st Edition

Here are the top 10 things you need to know to stay up-to-date in AI in Education today:

1️⃣ The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently partnered with the United Federation of Teachers, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Microsoft to launch the National Academy for AI Instruction. This $23 million education initiative aims to provide free AI training and curriculum to all 1.8 million AFT members, including K–12 educators.

2️⃣ Google recently launched new AI resources for educators, including training, toolkits, and guides, such as a guide on teaching responsible use of AI and a course on generative AI for educators.

3️⃣ In this Meet the Moment interview with NBC News, Sal Khan discusses the transformative role of AI in education, emphasizing how it empowers teachers and personalizes learning for students worldwide. He reflects on the growth of Khan Academy and outlines his vision for future educational advancements, including free tutoring and AI integration.

4️⃣ This free step-by-step toolkit by Common Sense helps school districts implement AI safely, responsibly, and effectively. It offers ready-to-use templates, implementation guides, and customizable resources to support districts at various stages of AI exploration and adoption.

5️⃣ A new report from Common Sense Media looks at how American teens ages 13 to 17 are engaging with AI companions, based on a nationally representative survey of 1,060 teens conducted in April and May 2025. Notably, a third of teens reported using AI companions for social interaction and relationship support.

6️⃣ In the UK, Internet Matters recently released a report on how children are increasingly engaging with AI chatbots. The organization surveyed 1,000 children and 2,000 parents in the UK, revealing that vulnerable children face the greatest risks. Among this group, 71% reported using AI chatbots. 26% of them said they preferred chatting with a chatbot over speaking to a real person, and 23% mentioned they turn to chatbots because they feel they have no one else to talk to.

7️⃣ So, how does interacting with AI chatbots impact students’ ability to form human connections? Experts Isabelle Hau, Executive Director at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, and Rebecca Winthrop, senior fellow and director of