Google Gemini launches as Microsoft Copilot transforms retail

Key Takeaways

• St. Vrain Valley Schools, California middle schools, and SMMUSD are exploring AI in education for personalized learning and operational efficiencies, while also addressing concerns about cheating and emphasizing ethical use.
• SMMUSD completed Generative AI Literacy Training for all staff and launched a student pilot program using Google Gemini at the high school level.
• AI engines like Microsoft's Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google's Gemini are transforming product discovery for retailers, requiring clear and consistent data from businesses.
• Musician Lettie is releasing a human-centric album, 'Pirate Lover,' in contrast to the rise of AI-generated music.
• Influencer Lauren Blake apologized for an 'unintentional' AI face swap onto a Black creator's photo, emphasizing the need for agency oversight.
• The Bring Back the Kern group is hosting an 'A.I.pril Fools for the Kern River' AI art contest to advocate for a flowing river.
• Advantech and SecEdge have partnered globally to provide secure Edge AI solutions for IoT and edge deployments.
• Elgato's Stream Deck software version 7.4 now supports Multi-Action Control Protocol (MCP), enabling AI tools like ChatGPT to trigger actions.
• Virginia Tech's National Security Institute is training US Navy personnel on AI and machine learning to enhance systems engineering and data analysis.
• Multimodal fusion, used in self-driving cars, is being applied to enhance AI's ability to provide mental health guidance.

St. Vrain Valley Schools explore AI's role in education

St. Vrain Valley Schools is exploring how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) ethically in education through its ETHOS approach. While AI can assist teachers with tasks and provide personalized tutoring for students, educators like Emily Walker and Stephen Dimit are concerned about students using AI to cheat. They emphasize the importance of developing writing skills without AI assistance and are shifting towards more in-class writing. Superintendent Dr. Jackie Kapushion believes AI can help find operational efficiencies and provide faster student feedback.

California middle schools test AI tools like Snorkl in classrooms

California middle schools are becoming testing grounds for AI in classrooms, with South Lake Middle School using tools like Snorkl for instant student feedback. Teacher Gregory Dharman uses Snorkl for math exit tickets, allowing students to retake quizzes until they achieve a satisfactory score. While AI offers personalized learning, teachers are also trained to use AI detectors to prevent cheating. Some students find the rapid feedback overwhelming, and educators like Matthew Helmenstine at Marina Middle School are focusing on written work to reduce screen time.

Artist Lettie uses human touch against AI in new album Pirate Lover

Musician Lettie's new album, Pirate Lover, is a nine-track collection focusing on memory and love, recorded at her kitchen table with collaborators like Dave Barbarossa. She contrasts her human-centric approach with the rise of AI-generated music, like that of a dentist who gained Spotify streams without musical experience. Lettie believes the music industry is in a 'malaise' but anticipates a backlash against overly produced music. She emphasizes the importance of authentic, 'copy-and-paste' free recording.

AI chatbot date feels real until strange fixation emerges

A therapist and researcher went on a video date with an AI chatbot named John, posing as a 27-year-old NYU psychology professor. The interaction felt surprisingly real, with smooth conversation and impressive synchronization, though the AI's lack of subtle human movements was unsettling. John focused on the author's smile and redirected questions back to her. While AI can offer companionship and practice for social interaction, the author questions if technology can truly replace human emotional connection.

Influencer Lauren Blake apologizes for AI face swap controversy

White influencer Lauren Blake has apologized for using AI to swap her face onto a photo of a Black creator's body, a picture originally taken by Tatiana Elizabeth at the 2024 US Open. Blake claims the 'unintentional' error was made by an AI content agency she works with and takes full responsibility. She has removed the post and apologized privately to Elizabeth. Blake stated she will have more oversight with her agency to ensure content integrity moving forward.

Kern River group uses AI art contest to highlight dry riverbed

The public interest group Bring Back the Kern is hosting an AI art contest called 'A.I.pril Fools for the Kern River' from April 1 to April 15. Residents are encouraged to use AI tools to create images of a flowing Kern River through Bakersfield, where it is often dry due to agricultural diversions. The contest aims to draw attention to the river's condition and what could be possible. Winners in categories like Satirical, Visionary, and Historical will receive prizes, and winning images may be used in future advocacy materials.

Advantech partners with SecEdge for secure Edge AI solutions

Advantech has formed a global distribution and technology partnership with SecEdge, a leader in IoT and edge device security. This collaboration integrates Advantech's edge AI hardware with SecEdge's security software to create a comprehensive solution for edge deployments. The partnership aims to address increasing security challenges in the growing edge AI market, offering enhanced protection for devices and data across industries like manufacturing, retail, and smart cities.

Retailers must adapt as AI engines change product discovery

Retailers face a revolution as AI engines like Copilot, ChatGPT, and Gemini change how consumers discover products. These AI systems go beyond traditional search, analyzing web data, product feeds, and real-time website information to generate reasoned recommendations. Microsoft's guide highlights that AI prioritizes relevance, commercial signals like pricing and availability, and freshness of data. Retailers need to structure their data clearly and ensure consistency to be visible in these AI-driven recommendations.

Elgato's Stream Deck now supports AI control via MCP

Elgato has updated its Stream Deck software to version 7.4, adding support for the Multi-Action Control Protocol (MCP). This allows AI tools like ChatGPT or custom bots to trigger Stream Deck actions through voice or text commands. Users can enable MCP Actions in the software's preferences to create a dedicated profile for AI control. While requiring a Node.js tool and Elgato MCP Server bridge, the integration offers a new way to automate Stream Deck functions.

Virginia Tech AI expertise boosts US Navy preparedness

Virginia Tech's National Security Institute is using its AI expertise to train civilian researchers and engineers for the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD). The training focuses on applying AI and machine learning to accelerate systems engineering, improve modeling, and enhance testing through faster data analysis. Melanie C. King of NSWCDD notes that this collaboration helps integrate trustworthy AI into naval systems. The program aims to equip the Navy workforce with the necessary skills to adapt to evolving AI technologies.

SMMUSD trains staff on AI, launches student pilot program

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) has completed Generative AI Literacy Training for all staff, covering concepts like bias, ethics, and privacy. The district adopted a balanced approach to promote responsible AI use. An EdTech team launched a student pilot program at the high school level using Google Gemini, focusing on AI as a collaborative learning assistant while maintaining academic integrity. This pilot will inform the district's long-term AI policy and curriculum.

AI uses self-driving car tech for mental health guidance

Advancements in multimodal fusion, technology used in self-driving cars, are enhancing AI's ability to provide mental health guidance. This fusion integrates various data modes like text, audio, and video, creating a more comprehensive AI experience. While millions use generative AI for mental health advice, specialized AI models are being developed for more therapeutic capabilities. This integration of multimodal fusion promises impressive results in the evolving field of AI-driven mental health support.

Sources

• The role of Artificial Intelligence in education at St. Vrain Valley Schools
• California middle schools are ground zero for testing AI in classrooms
• Lettie on AI, Frozen Pizza, and Why the Space Around a Song Matters More Than Ever
• I Went On A Date With An AI Chatbot. It Felt So Real — Until He Revealed His Strange Fixation.
• White influencer who was caught using AI to swap her face onto photo of black woman's body breaks silence
• Group looks to AI for water in the Kern River
• Global distribution agreement strengthens Edge AI security
• What do AI engines look for when recommending products? Retailers facing the LLM revolution
• AI can push your Stream Deck buttons for you
• Faculty members' AI expertise accelerates U.S. Navy preparedness
• SMMUSD Launches AI Training & Student Pilot Program
• Multimodal Fusion Used In Self-Driving Cars Is Uplifting AI That Provides Mental Health Guidance