Alpha Schools is opening a new private AI-only school in Chicago, now accepting applications for its fall 2026 intake. This institution, located at 350 E. South Water St., will serve students from kindergarten through eighth grade, utilizing artificial intelligence to teach core subjects. Adults will act as 'guides' to support and motivate students during their AI-driven lessons, which involve one to two hours of AI instruction daily, supplemented by workshops. The annual tuition for this unique educational model is $55,000.
In the realm of AI-driven commerce, two companies are introducing new solutions. Botify has launched Agentic Feeds, a product designed to help retailers create and deliver AI-optimized product data for the growing market of AI agent-driven shopping. This tool enriches product data with context and reviews, adapting to evolving AI requirements. Meanwhile, MagicLinks unveiled AI Shelf, a system aimed at boosting brand visibility in AI-powered product discovery. This platform uses content intelligence and AI search optimization to ensure brands are cited by AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Gemini, also helping optimize video content and match brands with creators.
Significant financial and legal developments are also unfolding. Obex, a stablecoin incubator backed by the Sky ecosystem, is deploying up to $1 billion in USDS across eight projects, diversifying its investments into mortgages, AI hardware, and solar energy infrastructure. Separately, artificial intelligence company Anthropic is challenging the Pentagon's designation of the company as a national security risk in court, a case stemming from a Trump administration decision.
AI's role in public policy and daily life is also under scrutiny. Louisiana lawmakers are grappling with over 20 AI-related bills, though broader regulations face strong opposition from business groups concerned about stifling innovation and compliance burdens. While bills addressing child exploitation through AI have advanced, proposals like a Louisiana AI Bill of Rights are stalled. On a personal level, an individual's AI-planned vacation to Saltburn-by-the-Sea in England led to an unexpected dip in the cold North Sea, highlighting the need for human judgment alongside AI recommendations. Furthermore, a student has voiced concerns about the mandatory integration of generative AI in university courses, arguing it may undermine critical thinking and human interaction.
Finally, AI is impacting defense and cybersecurity. The German army is exploring AI tools to accelerate wartime decision-making by rapidly analyzing battlefield data, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine. In cybersecurity, Phil Venables of Ballistic Ventures warns that AI is creating a 'tidal wave' of software vulnerabilities, as AI tools become more effective at finding them and rapid AI software generation outpaces traditional security measures. He suggests defenders can leverage AI by managing non-human identities and establishing an 'enterprise agentic control plane' for AI operations.
Key Takeaways
- Alpha Schools is opening a private AI-only school in Chicago, enrolling students for fall 2026, with tuition set at $55,000 annually.
- Botify launched Agentic Feeds to help retailers create AI-optimized product data for AI agent-driven commerce, with general availability planned for the second half of 2026.
- MagicLinks introduced AI Shelf to boost brand visibility in AI-powered product discovery, ensuring brands are cited by AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Gemini.
- Obex is deploying up to $1 billion in USDS into mortgages, AI hardware, and solar energy infrastructure, diversifying beyond crypto-native yields.
- Anthropic is challenging the Pentagon's designation of the company as a national security risk in court.
- The German army is exploring AI tools to speed up wartime decision-making processes by analyzing battlefield data faster.
- Louisiana lawmakers face business lobby opposition to broader AI regulations, despite advancing bills on child exploitation through AI.
- An AI chatbot's vacation planning led to an unexpected cold North Sea swim, illustrating the need for human judgment with AI recommendations.
- A student expressed concerns about mandatory generative AI use in university courses, arguing it undermines critical thinking and human interaction.
- AI is transforming cybersecurity, creating a surge in software vulnerabilities while also offering defenders tools to manage non-human identities and govern AI operations.
Chicago to open AI-only school with adult guides this fall
Alpha Schools will open a new private school in Chicago this fall, serving 100 students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The school will use artificial intelligence to teach core subjects, with adults acting as 'guides' to motivate students. This unique educational model costs $55,000 per year and aims to help students excel academically. Alpha Schools already operates over 20 schools in several states and is expanding to new locations. The Chicago campus will be located at 350 E. South Water St.
Chicago's AI school Alpha Schools enrolling students for fall 2026
Alpha Schools, a private institution that utilizes artificial intelligence for all its teaching, is now accepting applications for its Chicago campus opening in fall 2026. The school replaces traditional teachers with 'guides' who support students during their AI-driven lessons. Learning involves one to two hours of AI instruction daily, followed by workshops on various skills. The annual tuition is $55,000, and the school reports high academic achievement for its students. Currently, 35 students are interested, with two already enrolled.
AI-powered school Alpha Schools enrolling in Chicago
Alpha Schools, which uses artificial intelligence for instruction instead of teachers, is now enrolling students in Chicago. The private school's unique approach involves AI-driven learning with adult 'guides' to support students. This innovative educational model is accepting applications for the upcoming fall semester.
Botify launches Agentic Feeds for AI shopping data
Botify has launched Agentic Feeds, a new product designed to help retailers create and deliver AI-optimized product data for the growing AI agent-driven commerce market. This tool addresses the 'visibility gap' where traditional product feeds are not compatible with AI protocols. Agentic Feeds automatically enriches product data with reviews and context, adapts to changing AI requirements, and provides measurement tools. The product is currently in tech preview, with general availability planned for the second half of 2026.
MagicLinks unveils AI Shelf to boost brands in AI product discovery
MagicLinks has launched AI Shelf, a new system designed to help brands gain visibility in AI-powered product discovery. This platform combines content intelligence, AI search optimization, and creator casting to ensure brands are cited by AI answer engines like ChatGPT and Gemini. AI Shelf helps brands optimize video content for AI, matches them with the right creators, and measures their visibility across AI search platforms. This launch comes as AI assistants are increasingly used for shopping, with Gartner predicting a significant shift from traditional search.
Louisiana AI regulation faces business lobby opposition
Louisiana lawmakers have introduced over 20 bills related to artificial intelligence this session, but broader regulations are facing significant resistance from business groups. While bills addressing child exploitation through AI have advanced with bipartisan support, proposals like the Louisiana AI Bill of Rights and chatbot restrictions are stalled. Business organizations argue that extensive AI regulations could stifle innovation and create compliance burdens, potentially jeopardizing federal broadband funding. Some lawmakers believe AI oversight is necessary despite these concerns.
AI vacation planner leads to unexpected North Sea swim
An individual used an AI chatbot to plan a seaside vacation, which recommended Saltburn-by-the-Sea in England for its charm and cliffs. While the town met expectations, the AI's suggestion for a 'refreshing dip' led to an unplanned swim in the cold North Sea. This experience highlights how AI can be a useful planning tool but still requires human judgment for perfect execution.
Student argues against forced AI use in education
A student expresses concern over the mandatory integration of generative AI in university courses, arguing it undermines critical thinking and genuine human interaction. The student believes professors are pushing AI without fully understanding its implications or offering practical alternatives. While acknowledging AI's potential, the author emphasizes the importance of student choice and the potential negative psychological effects of constant AI scrutiny. The article calls for more ethical and considerate AI policies in academia.
Obex deploys $1B into mortgages AI hardware and solar energy
Obex, a stablecoin incubator backed by the Sky ecosystem, is deploying up to $1 billion in USDS across eight projects, marking a significant move beyond crypto-native yields. The funds will be invested in mortgages, AI hardware, and solar energy infrastructure. This initiative aims to diversify into productive sectors and generate high-quality yield from private credit markets and fintech. Obex's deployment supports Sky's growth and the increasing trend of tokenizing real-world assets.
Anthropic challenges Pentagon AI designation in court
Artificial intelligence company Anthropic is in court challenging the Pentagon's designation of the company as a national security risk. The case involves the Trump administration's decision, and legal experts are analyzing the implications of this challenge. The court proceedings are officially underway.
German army explores AI for faster wartime decisions
The German army is investigating the use of artificial intelligence tools to speed up wartime decision-making processes. These AI systems can analyze battlefield data much faster than humans, potentially offering a significant advantage in combat. The initiative is influenced by lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine and aims to modernize the Bundeswehr's capabilities. The focus is on AI that can provide actionable insights from various data sources to enhance operational effectiveness.
AI security challenges defenders amid vulnerability surge
Phil Venables of Ballistic Ventures warns that artificial intelligence is transforming cybersecurity, creating a 'tidal wave' of software vulnerabilities as AI tools become more effective at finding them. The rapid generation of AI software also outpaces traditional security measures. Venables emphasizes that defenders have a structural advantage in leveraging AI for security, focusing on managing non-human identities and establishing an 'enterprise agentic control plane' to govern AI operations.
Sources
- An AI Elementary School, With No Teachers, To Open in Chicago This Fall
- Alpha Schools, which uses AI instead of teachers for learning, is enrolling in Chicago for fall 2026
- Alpha Schools, which uses AI instead of teachers for learning, is enrolling in Chicago
- Botify's Agentic Feeds targets the product data gap in AI-driven commerce
- MagicLinks Launches AI Shelf™ to Help Brands Win in AI-Powered Product Discovery
- Artificial intelligence regulation clashing with business lobby
- I Let AI Plan My Seaside Break and Wound Up Swimming in the North Sea
- Dear professors, stop force feeding us AI
- Obex Starts Deploying $1B in USDS Into Mortgages, AI Hardware, and Solar Energy
- Breaking down Anthropic's court case against the Pentagon over AI use
- German army eyes AI tools to expedite wartime decision-making
- AI Tidal Wave: What Defenders Must Do Now
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