Artificial intelligence continues to reshape various sectors, from education to enterprise security, prompting significant investments and new challenges. In schools, AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming how teachers develop curricula and how students prepare for future careers. Leah Ferguson, a graphic design teacher in Oregon, used ChatGPT to build her curriculum, highlighting its utility for new educators. Similarly, Bentonville public schools in Arkansas launched the Ignite program, integrating AI lessons across all 10 career paths for high school juniors and seniors, driven by requests from industry partners like Walmart for AI-skilled new hires. South Carolina's Riverside High School offers an Introduction to AI class where students learn practical applications, such as using small computers for agricultural data collection, as the state develops a new K-12 career and technical education pathway for AI. Michael Connet from the Association for Career and Technical Education notes a significant increase in interest in AI for CTE since early 2023, with AI assisting in areas from culinary arts nutrition analysis to HVAC predictive maintenance. Beyond education, major companies are making substantial commitments to AI. Samsung Electronics announced a massive $310 billion investment over the next five years, primarily for new semiconductor facilities in South Korea, aiming to create over 1,000 jobs and lead the global AI market. The AI job market itself is expanding and diversifying, with a study ranking San Francisco, California, as the top city for AI careers, followed by Oakland, California, and Atlanta, Georgia. Interestingly, AI jobs are spreading beyond traditional tech hubs, with Montana leading the nation in the AI job market, offering an average AI salary of over $223,000 per year, more than double the national average. However, the rapid adoption of AI also brings significant security concerns for businesses. Conversations with AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude can generate detailed user profiles, and companies like OpenAI and Google retain user prompts and outputs. This practice, coupled with employees using consumer AI tools for work—a phenomenon known as "Shadow AI"—poses a serious risk of leaking confidential corporate information. Microsoft, for instance, admitted to data leaks from employees using ChatGPT. Experts warn that cybercriminals could exploit this leaked data for sophisticated phishing attacks, emphasizing the need for robust corporate policies and systems to manage AI use safely. Security companies like Suprema are responding by launching new AI-driven, cloud-native security solutions, including BioStar X and BioStar Air, with plans for a new AI-powered access control solution next year. CISOs are urged to modernize Security Operations Centers with centralized platforms and single agent architectures to handle the millions of decisions AI agents make per second. Culturally, AI's influence is also being felt. Paul McCartney released an almost silent song to protest AI companies using music without permission or payment, highlighting artists' concerns about exploitation as the British government reviews copyright laws for AI. On a more practical level, AI tools like ChatGPT can simplify holiday planning, helping find cheaper flights, while products like Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer hands-free video and real-time translation as AI-powered gifts, though experts advise caution with AI toys for children due to potential malfunctions. The constant exposure to words through modern technology, including AI, also raises questions about its impact on our connection to reality and how we perceive human versus artificial intelligence.
Key Takeaways
- Schools are rapidly integrating AI into career and technical education (CTE) programs, with examples like Bentonville's Ignite program adding AI lessons to all 10 career paths and South Carolina creating a K-12 AI pathway.
- Teachers, such as Leah Ferguson in Oregon, are using AI tools like ChatGPT for curriculum development and lesson planning, though experts advise caution against over-reliance.
- The demand for AI skills in the workforce is growing, with industry partners like Walmart requesting new hires to possess AI literacy.
- Samsung Electronics plans a $310 billion investment over five years, primarily in semiconductor facilities in South Korea, to lead the global AI market and create over 1,000 jobs.
- The AI job market is expanding beyond Silicon Valley, with Montana leading the nation in AI job market opportunities and offering an average AI salary of over $223,000 per year.
- Using consumer AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude for work, known as "Shadow AI," poses significant security risks, as companies like OpenAI and Google retain user prompts, leading to potential data leaks, as admitted by Microsoft.
- Suprema launched its Global Partner Programme 2025, outlining a plan for AI-driven, cloud-native security solutions, including BioStar X and BioStar Air, with a new AI-powered access control solution expected next year.
- Artists like Paul McCartney are protesting the use of their work by AI companies without permission or payment, raising concerns about copyright and exploitation in the creative industry.
- AI tools like ChatGPT can assist with personal tasks such as holiday planning, while products like Ray-Ban Meta glasses offer hands-free video and real-time translation.
- Businesses need to implement strong policies and centralized security platforms to manage AI use safely and effectively, addressing the speed of AI agents and preventing data protection failures.
Teachers Use AI to Build Lessons and Support Students
Leah Ferguson, a graphic design teacher in Oregon, used AI like ChatGPT to create her curriculum from scratch. She found AI helpful for lesson planning, especially as a new teacher without an education master's degree. AI also helps new career and technical education teachers quickly learn how to teach. However, Ferguson warns that AI should be an assistant, not a replacement, to avoid students becoming too reliant on it. Many CTE teachers are still unsure about using AI, fearing it might harm skill development.
Bentonville Schools Add AI Skills to Career Programs
Bentonville public schools in Arkansas launched the Ignite program, which teaches high school juniors and seniors about various careers. After ChatGPT came out in late 2022, the program added AI lessons to all 10 career paths. Industry partners like Walmart asked for new hires to have AI skills, driving this change. Jessica Imel, who leads Ignite, said this required teacher training and creativity. Bentonville's method of teaching AI across many career fields is seen as a promising way to prepare students for future jobs.
South Carolina Schools Teach Students AI Skills
In South Carolina, Riverside High School's Introduction to AI class teaches students practical AI skills. Teacher Calla Bartschi's students use small computers to collect soil data and design automated systems for agriculture. They also learn how AI is used in health care, entertainment, and other industries. South Carolina is creating a new K-12 career and technical education pathway for AI, in partnership with the Southern Regional Education Board. This program helps students understand how AI works in different jobs and prepares them for future careers.
AI Transforms Career and Technical Education Programs
Michael Connet from the Association for Career and Technical Education notes a big rise in interest in AI for career and technical education since early 2023. AI tools are helping solve problems, such as quickly scheduling transportation for CTE training centers. The pandemic also made educational technology more common in CTE classrooms. Teachers now use AI in fields like culinary arts to analyze nutrition and in HVAC tech for predictive maintenance. Connet stresses that CTE programs must teach students to understand and critically evaluate AI technology.
Schools Update Career Programs for AI Jobs
This special report looks at how schools are changing career and technical education, or CTE, programs to prepare students for jobs needing AI skills. More students and parents are choosing CTE as they question the value of a four-year college degree. Many believe AI skills will help them succeed faster in the workforce. While most schools are just starting to add AI to CTE, some like Riverside High School in South Carolina already have AI classes. Bentonville public schools' Ignite program teaches AI literacy across all its high school career pathways. Experts advise students and teachers to always check facts from AI tools.
Suprema Reveals AI Security Plan for Partners
Suprema launched its Global Partner Programme 2025, bringing together nearly 200 security partners. The company shared its new plan for AI-driven, cloud-native security solutions, called "Engraving a New Era of Security." Suprema will focus on artificial intelligence, video analytics, and cloud platforms to improve access control. They showcased BioStar X, a platform for access control and video, and BioStar Air, a fully cloud-based biometric access control system. Suprema plans to release a new AI-powered access control solution next year to meet growing security needs.
Suprema Shares AI Security Vision with Partners
Suprema held its Global Partner Programme 2025, gathering almost 200 security partners from around the world. The company presented its plan for future security, focusing on AI-driven and cloud-based solutions. This new strategy, called "Engraving a New Era of Security," highlights artificial intelligence, video analytics, and cloud platforms. Suprema showed off BioStar X, a system for access control and video, and BioStar Air, a cloud-only biometric access control platform. The company will release a new AI-powered access control solution next year to help partners and customers manage security threats better.
Too Many Words Harm Our Connection to Reality
The author believes modern technology, especially smartphones, makes us read too much, leading to a "hyper-literate" state. This constant exposure to words through news, social media, and apps detaches us from the present moment. The author argues that this over-reliance on language distorts our understanding of intelligence and makes us less aware of how human intelligence differs from AI. As AI gets better at using words, humans risk losing touch with their unique ability to experience the physical world and the flow of time. We must remember that our understanding of AI's output is not just about words.
Samsung Invests $310 Billion in AI and Chips
Samsung Electronics stock increased by over 3% after the company announced a massive investment. Samsung plans to spend about $310 billion over the next five years. This money will mostly go towards building new semiconductor facilities in Pyeongtaek and Yongin, South Korea. The rest will fund research and development and hire new talent for AI technologies. This investment aims to create over 1,000 jobs and strengthen South Korea's semiconductor industry. Samsung sees this as a key move to lead the global AI market and expects AI to boost demand for its advanced chips.
Paul McCartney Protests AI with Silent Music Track
Paul McCartney released an almost silent song to protest AI companies using music without permission or payment. His track, called "(bonus track)," is on an album named "Is This What We Want," which also features artists like Sam Fender and Kate Bush. The album's song titles spell out a message asking the British government not to legalize music theft for AI companies. Musicians worry that AI could harm the creative industry if it exploits their work unfairly. The government is currently looking at new copyright laws for AI, balancing the interests of artists and tech companies.
Top US Cities for AI Jobs Revealed
A new study ranked the best US cities for careers in artificial intelligence, considering job openings, salaries, and living costs. San Francisco, California, remains the top city, leading in AI company numbers and salary potential despite high costs. Oakland, California, came in second with many AI job postings and slightly lower housing costs. Atlanta, Georgia, ranked third for its growing tech scene and affordable housing. Other top cities include Washington D.C., Minneapolis, Austin, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts, each offering unique benefits for AI professionals.
AI Tools Can Help Make Holidays Easier
Experts suggest using artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT to simplify holiday planning. Lexie Sachs from Good Housekeeping Institute used AI to find cheaper flights for a last-minute family vacation. She also highlighted Ray-Ban Meta glasses as a great AI gift, offering hands-free video and real-time translation. However, Sachs warns that AI toys for kids might not be ready for wish lists, as they can malfunction. She advises families to use their judgment and start slowly with AI toys, noting that errors in toys can be more disappointing than in adult products.
AI Chats Pose Big Security Risks for Businesses
Conversations with AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude can create detailed profiles of users, including sensitive data. Companies like OpenAI and Google keep user prompts and outputs, which poses a serious risk for businesses. Employees often use these consumer AI tools for work, known as "Shadow AI," which can leak confidential corporate information. For example, Microsoft admitted to data leaks from employees using ChatGPT. Experts warn that cybercriminals could use this leaked information to mimic employees or create convincing phishing attacks. Businesses face huge fines for data protection failures, so they need strong rules and systems to manage AI use safely.
AI Jobs Spread Beyond Silicon Valley
The best jobs in artificial intelligence are no longer only found in Silicon Valley. A study of 45,000 AI job postings showed that Montana leads the nation in the AI job market, with Alaska, New York, and Massachusetts also offering many opportunities. This shift is happening because of factors like taxes, company growth, and the rise of remote work. Montana offers an average AI salary of over $223,000 per year, which is more than double the national average. While some states have more job openings, high-paying roles like machine learning engineers are available across the country.
CISOs Must Break Down Walls for AI Security Success
For artificial intelligence to work well in Security Operations Centers, or SOCs, security leaders must remove old barriers. The current "legacy SOC" is too slow to handle modern threats, often reacting like a firefighter instead of preventing issues. AI agents make millions of decisions per second, which traditional security rules cannot keep up with. CISOs need to use centralized platforms with a single agent architecture, like CrowdStrike, to get real-time data. This approach allows for automated policies, continuous monitoring, and quick responses to threats, helping CISOs show that AI is used safely and effectively.
Sources
- Classroom View: How AI Is Influencing Teacher Approaches to Career and Technical Ed.
- ‘What Are You Doing on AI?’: How This District Added It to Career Education
- Businesses Want Employees With AI Skills. Are K-12 CTE Programs Keeping Up?
- How AI Is Changing Career and Technical Education
- Career and Technical Education Meets AI. What Happens Next?
- Suprema unveils AI-powered security roadmap for global partners
- Suprema unveils AI-powered security roadmap for global partners
- The real crisis of literacy – we're reading too much
- Samsung stock surges after $310 billion AI investment push
- Paul McCartney joins music industry protest against AI with silent track
- The 7 best U.S. cities for AI careers
- Can AI save Christmas? Experts reveal how artificial intelligence tools could make holidays easier
- Could years of AI conversations be your biggest security blind spot?
- The best AI jobs are no longer concentrated in Silicon Valley
- For AI to succeed in the SOC, CISOs need to remove legacy walls now
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