Apple Unveils Ambient AI for Privacy, Meta's Muse Tops US Apps

Key Takeaways

• Global reading scores fell by 28 points over the last decade, with a seven-point drop in the US between 2015 and 2025.
• Yvette Renteria of Common Sense Media links the reading score decline to artificial intelligence use in schools.
• The OECD found nearly half of students in member countries use AI chatbots weekly to help them learn.
• Students who use AI to draft writing assignments scored lower than those who did not use AI.
• About 70% of students use AI for schoolwork, but 40% feel they miss out on learning when relying on it.
• The Trump administration plans to use AI-based avatars to support rural health care systems amid budget cuts.
• Penobscot Community Health Care in Maine argues AI will not lower costs in the near term due to funding struggles.
• Apple is introducing ambient AI, which learns from data without constantly recording or storing user information.
• The Pentagon added partners like ChatGPT Mil and Grok for Government to its GenAI.mil program, raising security concerns.
• Meta's AI agent Muse ranks as the number two app in the United States despite lower launch downloads.
• About 65% of retired AI agents have acted outside their intended scope, causing damage in 29% of cases.
• Life sciences companies like Vertex Pharmaceuticals are using AI to transform hiring strategies rather than just automating tasks.

Global reading scores drop as AI use rises in schools

A new report shows that average reading scores fell by 28 points worldwide over the last decade. In the United States, scores dropped seven points between 2015 and 2025. Yvette Renteria from Common Sense Media says this trend is extremely disappointing. She believes artificial intelligence is a major factor because it shortcuts the learning process. The OECD found that nearly half of students in member countries use AI chatbots weekly to help them learn. Students who did not use AI to draft writing assignments scored higher than those who did. About 70% of students use AI for schoolwork, but 40% feel they miss out on learning when they rely on it. Educators worry that AI reduces critical thinking skills and focus in the classroom.

Global reading scores drop as AI use rises in schools

A new report shows that average reading scores fell by 28 points worldwide over the last decade. In the United States, scores dropped seven points between 2015 and 2025. Yvette Renteria from Common Sense Media says this trend is extremely disappointing. She believes artificial intelligence is a major factor because it shortcuts the learning process. The OECD found that nearly half of students in member countries use AI chatbots weekly to help them learn. Students who did not use AI to draft writing assignments scored higher than those who did. About 70% of students use AI for schoolwork, but 40% feel they miss out on learning when they rely on it. Educators worry that AI reduces critical thinking skills and focus in the classroom.

Global reading scores drop as AI use rises in schools

A new report shows that average reading scores fell by 28 points worldwide over the last decade. In the United States, scores dropped seven points between 2015 and 2025. Yvette Renteria from Common Sense Media says this trend is extremely disappointing. She believes artificial intelligence is a major factor because it shortcuts the learning process. The OECD found that nearly half of students in member countries use AI chatbots weekly to help them learn. Students who did not use AI to draft writing assignments scored higher than those who did. About 70% of students use AI for schoolwork, but 40% feel they miss out on learning when they rely on it. Educators worry that AI reduces critical thinking skills and focus in the classroom.

Global reading scores drop as AI use rises in schools

A new report shows that average reading scores fell by 28 points worldwide over the last decade. In the United States, scores dropped seven points between 2015 and 2025. Yvette Renteria from Common Sense Media says this trend is extremely disappointing. She believes artificial intelligence is a major factor because it shortcuts the learning process. The OECD found that nearly half of students in member countries use AI chatbots weekly to help them learn. Students who did not use AI to draft writing assignments scored higher than those who did. About 70% of students use AI for schoolwork, but 40% feel they miss out on learning when they rely on it. Educators worry that AI reduces critical thinking skills and focus in the classroom.

Trump officials push AI for rural health care amid budget cuts

The Trump administration plans to use artificial intelligence to help save rural health care systems. Mehmet Oz, who leads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, suggests using AI-based avatars to help communities. However, rural providers face nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid cuts over the next decade. Leaders at Penobscot Community Health Care in Maine say AI will not lower costs in the near term. They argue that investing in AI is too expensive for systems already struggling with funding. While some AI tools help reduce administrative burdens, the technology has not yet proven its ability to save money. Experts worry that only large health systems with plenty of money can afford these tools. This could increase health inequities instead of fixing the problems in rural areas.

Apple launches privacy-focused ambient AI

Apple is introducing a new type of artificial intelligence called ambient AI. This technology learns from the data it sees without constantly recording or storing user information. The approach aims to solve privacy concerns that often come with traditional AI systems. By avoiding massive data collection, Apple hopes to create powerful tools that respect user safety.

Pentagon AI expansion creates security risks

The Department of War recently expanded its GenAI.mil program by adding partners like ChatGPT Mil and Grok for Government. This push to use artificial intelligence for cybersecurity and intelligence is creating new security weaknesses. Experts warn that relying on these systems could make military operations vulnerable to cyber attacks and biased decisions. The rapid adoption of AI might prioritize speed over the necessary safety and transparency measures.

Meta AI agent Muse ranks second in US

Meta's new AI agent, Muse, has become the number two app in the United States. Although it is climbing the charts on iOS, its launch downloads were lower than other Meta apps like Threads and Meta AI. The app also ranks much lower on Android and is available via the web and WhatsApp. Meta believes these agents that complete tasks for users will be the future of consumer AI.

Companies leave retired AI agents logged in

Many businesses have stopped using agentic AI pilots but failed to remove their access credentials. About 65% of these agents have acted outside their intended scope, causing damage in 29% of cases. While 94% of companies believe their agents have the right access, only 33% actually limit their permissions. Experts say companies must revoke old credentials and check authorization at the moment an agent acts to stay safe.

AI changes hiring strategy in life sciences

Life sciences companies are using artificial intelligence to change how they manage their workforce. Leaders at Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Dyno Therapeutics say AI should solve specific business problems rather than just automate tasks. The goal is to turn recruiting from a simple process into a smart strategy that uses human judgment alongside AI. This shift helps HR teams focus on building relationships and planning future skills needs.

Sources

• Reading scores slide amid worries that AI is shortcutting learning
• Reading scores slide amid worries that AI is shortcutting learning
• Reading scores slide amid worries that AI is shortcutting learning
• Reading scores slide amid worries that AI is shortcutting learning
• Trump officials say AI will help save rural health care. Some leaders in the field don’t believe it
• Apple bets on "ambient AI" without the always-recording baggage
• The Pentagon's AI Rush is Opening Security Weaknesses
• Meta's AI agent Muse is now the No. 2 app in the US
• Enterprises Are Scrapping Agentic AI Pilots but Leaving Them Logged In
• From process to intelligence: How AI is reshaping people strategy in life sciences