Florida has finalized new rules on AI in schools, making it clear that technology serves as a supplement, not a replacement, for teachers. Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Henry Mack emphasized that AI cannot do the thinking for students, warning of a "cognitive surrender" where learners rely too heavily on machines. School districts must establish AI policies by July 1, 2027, and the use of AI companions is banned in classrooms. Parents must opt in for their children to use AI tools, and if they opt out, students must still receive a substantively similar alternative.
Google is making it easier for educators to build AI skills by offering college and continuing education credits through its AI Educator Series. The 15-minute training sessions help teachers integrate AI into lesson planning and assessment. Starting later this year, participants can earn undergraduate credits at no cost, and educators in Illinois can use the program toward license renewal. A flexible drop-in event called the Badge-a-thon was held on September 19 to support the initiative.
In the hardware space, the global Edge AI Hardware Market is projected to grow from USD 28.91 billion in 2025 to USD 248.08 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 23.98%. CPUs are expected to hold 54% of revenue this year, while GPUs will see the fastest growth. Cameras are forecast to lead device sales with a 35% share, and Asia Pacific is expected to generate nearly 43% of global revenue.
On the policy and security front, a report reveals that at least 105 members of Congress have investments in AI companies, including major players like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet. Some lawmakers also hold shares in smaller firms like BigBear.ai and Tempus AI, and at least 44 sit on committees handling AI policy. Separately, Iran and China have launched AI-powered influence campaigns using agents to open fake accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok, posting false content with minimal human help.
Key Takeaways
- <ul><li>Florida requires school districts to create AI policies by July 1, 2027, banning AI companions in classrooms.</li><li>Parents must opt in for children to use AI tools, and alternatives must be provided for those who opt out.</li><li>Google's AI Educator Series now offers free college credits and continuing education hours for teachers.</li><li>The Edge AI Hardware Market is projected to reach $248.08 billion by 2035, growing at a 23.98% CAGR.</li><li>At least 105 US lawmakers have investments in AI companies, including Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet.</li><li>44 of those lawmakers sit on committees that handle AI policy.</li><li>Iran and China used AI agents to run influence campaigns on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok.</li><li>PrismML, a Caltech spinoff, built a tiny reasoning model that matches 98% of Qwen's benchmark scores.</li><li>PwC says the Middle East is the world's fastest-growing AI data center market due to stable regulation.</li><li>CalPERS is pushing for a fund-wide AI risk framework to oversee AI-related investment risks.</li></ul>
Florida sets rules for AI in schools but teachers stay in charge
Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Henry Mack say Florida will allow AI in K-12 classrooms only as a supplement, not a replacement for teachers. Parents must opt in for their children to use AI tools, and districts have until July 1 to implement the new rules. Students who are not opted in must still receive a substantively similar alternative. Higher education faculty can also set limits on AI use in college courses.
Florida leaders warn AI could replace student thinking in schools
Governor Ron DeSantis and Education Commissioner Henry Mack outlined Florida's new AI rules for schools after the State Board of Education approved them. They stressed that AI cannot replace teachers or do the thinking for students. Mack warned of cognitive surrender, where students give up problem-solving by relying on AI too quickly. DeSantis noted some professors are already returning to handwritten exams to fight similar habits in college.
Florida bans AI companions in schools and requires AI policies
Florida school districts must create AI policies by July 1, 2027 after the State Board of Education finalized a new rule. Districts are banned from using AI companions in classrooms. Governor Ron DeSantis said machines cannot replace classroom teachers. If a parent opts out of AI tools, students must still receive a substantively similar instructional tool. The rule applies from VPK through college and is binding law, not optional guidance.
Google AI Educator Series now offers college and continuing education credits
The Google AI Educator Series provides 15-minute training sessions for educators. Starting later this year, participants can earn undergraduate college credits at no cost through a new partnership. Graduate credit is also available through another partnership. Educators and administrators in Illinois can earn hours toward license renewal through continuing education credit. A flexible drop-in event called the Badge-a-thon was held on September 19.
Google offers college credits to help teachers learn AI skills
Google launched its AI Educator Series to help teachers integrate AI tools into lesson planning, student assessment, and personalized learning. The program offers formal college credits through partnerships with accredited institutions, making it a cost-effective pathway for educators. The courses meet rigorous academic standards and count toward degree requirements and professional development mandates. The initiative addresses a growing skills gap as school districts rush to adopt AI tools.
PrismML builds tiny reasoning models that fit on phones
PrismML is a startup founded by Caltech researchers that makes very small large language models. Their Bonsai 2 model matches 98% of Qwen's benchmark scores while being much smaller. The models use ternary weights of +1, negative 1, or 0 to shrink size. They have been downloaded millions of times. The company plans to release larger compressed models in the next few months.
New measure links context fit to human behavior and brain activity
Researchers studied sequential contextual fit, or SCF, to measure how well a current state matches recent context. The metric works across language, music, decisions, and neural data. Lower SCF predicted longer processing times and bigger changes in behavior or brain states. The findings held even after accounting for surprise, prediction error, and sensory changes. SCF offers a new computational tool for studying cognitive processing.
Edge AI hardware market projected to reach $248.08 billion by 2035
The global Edge AI Hardware Market was valued at USD 28.91 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to USD 248.08 billion by 2035. It is growing at a CAGR of 23.98% from 2026 to 2035. CPUs are expected to hold 54% of revenue in 2025, while GPUs will grow fastest. Cameras are forecast to lead device sales with a 35% share. Asia Pacific will generate nearly 43% of global revenue in 2025.
Report says 105 US lawmakers have investments in AI companies
A report found that at least 105 members of Congress have investments in the AI industry. Many invested in large companies like Nvidia, Meta, and Alphabet. Some also hold shares in smaller firms like BigBear.ai, Tempus AI, and C3 AI. At least 44 of those lawmakers sit on committees that handle AI policy. One example is Rep. Josh Gottheimer, who co-chairs a House AI commission.
PwC says Middle East leads world in AI data center growth
PwC says the Middle East is the world's fastest-growing AI data center market. Danny Touma, Global Co-Head of AI Infrastructure at PwC Middle East, discussed the challenges energy demand creates. He said the region's real advantage is a stable regulatory environment. This clarity helps companies make long-term planning decisions. The report highlights energy costs and regulation as key factors in AI data center growth.
CalPERS board pushes for fund-wide AI risk framework
The CalPERS board pressed staff to create a fund-wide AI risk framework. The California Public Employees' Retirement System made the push in September 2026. The move comes as AI use grows across investment operations. The board wants stronger oversight of AI-related risks.
Iran and China launch AI-powered influence campaigns
Iran and China used artificial intelligence to create first-of-their-kind influence campaigns on social media. They used AI agents to open fake accounts on Instagram, Facebook, X and TikTok. The agents posted false content about politics and current events with minimal human help. U.S. officials confirmed the campaigns were state-backed.
Arbitflow pairs AI with professional traders for crypto
Arbitflow combines AI-supported research with professional traders for crypto trading. Users can start with just $25 and spread funds across several traders. The platform uses AI to review market conditions, news and risk factors while traders handle execution. Trading is spot-only with no leverage or margin involved.
Sources
- DeSantis, Florida education chief draw line on AI in schools: 'Not a substitute'
- DeSantis, Florida education chief draw line on AI in schools: 'Not a substitute'
- Florida schools must create AI policies, banned from using ‘AI companions’
- Earn continuing education and college credits for AI educator training.
- Google Offers College Credits for AI Educator Training
- PrismML hopes its tiny LLM could change how we all use AI
- Sequential Contextual Fit Predicts Human Behavioural and Neural Dynamics Across Domains
- Edge AI Hardware Market Size to Exceed $248.08 Billion By 2035
- Amid Urgent Demand for Oversight, Analysis Details 105 US Lawmakers Personally Invested in the AI Industry
- Middle East is the world's fastest-growing AI data center market, says PwC
- Why CalPERS board pressed staff for fund-wide AI risk framework
- Iran and China Create First-of-Their-Kind Autonomous A.I. Influence Campaigns
- Arbitflow Combines AI With Professional Traders: What Makes This a Smarter Crypto Trading Model?
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