Google acquires DeepMind as ChatGPT integration grows

Key Takeaways

• Al Rabanera, a math teacher, uses ChatGPT to create engaging and relevant lessons, enhancing professional judgment in education.
• Google co-founder Larry Page led the 2014 acquisition of DeepMind, founded by Demis Hassabis, outbidding Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, establishing Google as an AI leader.
• UNC's Chief AI Officer, Jeffrey Bardzell, is leaving to become Dean of Arts and Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute after developing UNC's "AI for Public Good" framework.
• Oregon passed a new law to protect children using AI chatbots, becoming one of the first states to enact such legislation.
• Phonak's Virto R Infinio and Infinio Ultra Sphere AI hearing aids won the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for improving speech clarity.
• Valve writer Erik Wolpaw indicates employees are exploring AI tools for game development, specifically for realistic character reactions.
• Reddit CEO Steve Huffman announced plans to verify human users to combat AI bots and ensure authentic interactions.
• A New York Times opinion column sparked debate over AI use, with the author stating AI was used for inspiration, not content generation, highlighting disclosure needs.
• A forum on "Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Health Equity" will take place in Manila in March 2026 to discuss equitable AI implementation in healthcare, addressing bias and data breaches.
• Artist Scott Stein explored AI's impact on creativity at SXSW 2026, using AI-driven VR games and art installations to question its influence on art and reality.

Teacher uses AI to create relevant math lessons

Al Rabanera, a math teacher at La Vista High School, found that AI tools like ChatGPT helped him create more engaging lessons. He realized he had become too focused on following district rules instead of using his own judgment. By using AI, he could explore new ideas and tailor lessons to his students' lives. His student Samantha used math to analyze a local tax increase, showing how relevant the subject could be. Rabanera believes teachers should use AI to enhance their professional judgment and lead their classrooms.

Teacher uses AI to create relevant math lessons

Al Rabanera, a math teacher at La Vista High School, found that AI tools like ChatGPT helped him create more engaging lessons. He realized he had become too focused on following district rules instead of using his own judgment. By using AI, he could explore new ideas and tailor lessons to his students' lives. His student Samantha used math to analyze a local tax increase, showing how relevant the subject could be. Rabanera believes teachers should use AI to enhance their professional judgment and lead their classrooms.

Teacher uses AI to create relevant math lessons

Al Rabanera, a math teacher at La Vista High School, found that AI tools like ChatGPT helped him create more engaging lessons. He realized he had become too focused on following district rules instead of using his own judgment. By using AI, he could explore new ideas and tailor lessons to his students' lives. His student Samantha used math to analyze a local tax increase, showing how relevant the subject could be. Rabanera believes teachers should use AI to enhance their professional judgment and lead their classrooms.

UNC's Chief AI Officer Jeffrey Bardzell to leave for new role

Jeffrey Bardzell, UNC's Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, will depart at the end of May to become the Peterson Family Dean of Arts and Sciences at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Bardzell, who also served as vice provost for AI, helped shape the university's AI strategy and the 'AI for Public Good' framework. He will co-chair UNC's upcoming 'AI for Public Good Conference' on April 13. UNC is seeking an interim replacement for his position and will continue to advance its AI initiatives.

UNC AI leader Jeffrey Bardzell resigns before new school launch

UNC's Vice Provost for AI and Chief AI Officer, Jeffrey Bardzell, is leaving his position at the end of May. He will move to Worcester Polytechnic Institute as the Dean of Arts and Sciences. Bardzell played a key role in developing UNC's AI strategy and the 'AI for Public Good' initiative. His departure comes shortly after the announcement of the new School of Data and Information Science. UNC is currently searching for an interim replacement.

Oregon passes new law protecting kids using chatbots

Oregon lawmakers have passed a new law to protect children who use AI chatbots. This makes Oregon one of the first states to enact such protections. The law addresses concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on children's health and safety. It comes as AI continues to influence various aspects of life, including social media and online interactions.

Valve writer explores AI tools for game development

Erik Wolpaw, a writer at Valve known for games like Portal and Half-Life, revealed that some employees are testing AI tools. While not worried about AI replacing creative writers soon, Wolpaw sees potential for AI in game development. He believes AI could help characters react realistically to player actions in games. Wolpaw emphasized that this is an early exploration and not a major shift in Valve's development strategy.

Forum discusses using AI for health equity

A forum on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Health Equity is taking place on March 25-26, 2026, in Manila, Philippines. The event brings together health officials, researchers, and policymakers to discuss how AI can improve healthcare while ensuring fairness. Concerns about AI risks like bias and data breaches are being addressed. The forum aims to identify AI use cases, validate readiness assessments, and develop policy recommendations for equitable AI implementation in healthcare.

AI use in New York Times articles sparks debate

Questions have arisen about the use of AI in a New York Times opinion column, with detection tools suggesting a significant portion of the text may be AI-generated. The author, Kate Gilgan, stated she used AI for inspiration and guidance, not content generation, acting as a 'collaborative editor.' The New York Times requires freelancers to follow its AI policies and disclose usage. This incident highlights the growing presence of AI in media and publishing, with similar concerns raised about a recently canceled novel.

Larry Page led Google's DeepMind acquisition

Google co-founder Larry Page was instrumental in acquiring the AI startup DeepMind in 2014. DeepMind, founded by Demis Hassabis, aimed to create human-like artificial intelligence. Page personally led negotiations against Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, offering significant incentives and autonomy. This strategic acquisition positioned Google as a leader in AI, contributing to breakthroughs like AlphaFold and AlphaGo.

Phonak AI hearing aids win excellence award

Phonak's Virto R Infinio and Infinio Ultra Sphere hearing aids have received the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award. These devices use AI to improve speech clarity and reduce background noise in various environments. The Virto R Infinio adjusts settings based on the listening environment, while the Infinio Ultra Sphere uses deep neural networks to enhance speech signals. This award recognizes Phonak's commitment to developing intelligent hearing solutions.

Artist uses AI art to explore chaos and creativity

At SXSW 2026, artist Scott Stein explored the impact of AI on art and life through interactive experiences. He tested VR games like Fabula Rasa: Dead Man Talking, which uses AI for character dialogue, finding it surprisingly effective and humorous. Stein also experienced art installations that incorporated his voice and image using AI and AR. These works question how AI is changing creativity and our perception of reality, prompting reflection on embracing or escaping its influence.

Reddit to verify human users to combat bots

Reddit will require suspicious accounts to prove they are run by humans to combat the rise of AI bots. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman announced that accounts showing 'automated or otherwise fishy behavior' will undergo verification. This measure aims to ensure users know when they are interacting with a person. While rare, verification may involve third-party tools or government IDs if necessary. Reddit also plans to label accounts that use bots for permitted purposes.

Sources

• AI reminded me to lead in my classroom, not follow someone else’s dictates
• AI reminded me to lead in my classroom, not follow someone else’s dictates
• AI reminded me to lead in my classroom, not follow someone else’s dictates
• UNC's Announces Departure Of Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer, Seeks Replacement
• Vice Provost for AI Jeffrey Bardzell resigns before data and information science school launch
• Oregon lawmakers among the first to pass protections for kids using chatbots
• Valve Writer Says Some At The Studio Are Testing Out AI Tools
• Forum on harnessing Artificial Intelligence for health equity
• How AI Is Creeping Into The New York Times
• How Google’s Larry Page Won the Bidding War for DeepMind
• Phonak AI Hearing Aids Receive 2026 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award
• We're All Flailing With AI: I Tried Art That Pokes Back at the Chaos
• Reddit will require "fishy" accounts to verify they are run by a human