My recent work has very much deepened my understanding of just how much is happening at the intersection of AI and education — particularly in global contexts. That experience inspired me to start curating weekly updates to help others make sense of the rapid developments in this space. There’s a lot of noise, and my goal is to surface what’s most relevant, actionable, or thought-provoking.
This week we saw more research, a few new tools, some policy and funding updates, and more. Here’s the highlight reel.
AI in Education updates from Africa
Speaking at an event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Bill Gates emphasized empowering human potential through better maternal care, child survival, nutrition, and combating infectious diseases. He committed to distributing his wealth via the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the next 20 years, following up on the news last month that the foundation will cease operations after that time. Gates again mentioned his views on the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, education, and agriculture. I missed the live event, but as I watch the video replay, he again demonstrated his usual confidence, commitment, and poise (especially when briefly mentioning funding cuts from USAID and the sudden shift in collaboration from the US). Read more at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/03/bill-gates-fortune-africa
Earlier this year, Uganda’s President Museveni unveiled bold AI reforms to transform Uganda’s education, linking Africa’s past scientific delays to colonization and urging urgent adoption of AI for skills, agriculture, security, and other critical sectors. A new podcast shared some next steps and opinions on how this could roll out with Dr. Vusi Maseko. You can listen to the full episode at https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250530/how-ai-powered-technical–vocational-education-can-reshape-africa-1073641416.html
AI in Education updates from Asia
OpenAI has announced the expansion of its AI for Impact Accelerator initiative to India, aiming to support the development of artificial intelligence tools that address critical issues in underserved sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. As part of this initiative, OpenAI is providing a total of $150,000 in technical grants to 11 nonprofit organizations across the country. Read more at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/openai-academy-expands-to-india-commits-150000-to-nonprofits/articleshow/121602608.cms
AI in Education updates from the UK
Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind and a Nobel laureate, emphasized the enduring importance of STEM education in the face of rapid advancements in AI. Hassabis urged students to maintain a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and computer science. He highlighted the necessity of understanding these core disciplines in order to truly grasp how AI systems function. Read more at https://economictimes.com/news/new-updates/demis-hassabis-google-deepmind-ceo-advises-students-to-study-these-subjects-as-ai-replaces-tech-jobs/articleshow/121613875.cms
AI in Education updates from Latin America
ProFuturo Observatory published the Five Conditions for AI to Truly Transform Education. Based in part on the work of the Inter-American Development Bank, these five conditions — functional and context-appropriate devices, reliable high-bandwidth connectivity across learning spaces, culturally and pedagogically relevant digital content, continuous development of teachers’ digital competencies (including critical evaluation of AI tools), and robust governance with ongoing monitoring — are prerequisites for AI to drive meaningful transformation. Read more at https://profuturo.education/en/observatory/trends/five-conditions-for-ai-to-truly-transform-education/
An interdisciplinary team from Argentina, Chile, and Mexico will use explainable artificial intelligence to predict and prevent student dropout in higher education. Funded by the HUC Seed Fund, the project will compare critical variables in three Latin American contexts, generating predictive models and visual tools for mentorship and tutoring programs. Read more at https://thehuc.org/three-latin-american-universities-will-use-ai-to-prevent-student-dropout-in-higher-education/
AI in Education updates from the United States
Amazon announced a $10 billion investment in Richmond County, North Carolina, to develop a new data center and AI campus. This major project is expected to generate at least 500 high-skilled jobs and support thousands more through construction and supply chains. The facility will include workforce training programs in collaboration with universities and colleges. Read more at https://apnews.com/article/amazon-north-carolina-data-center-jobs-338bef3890bb61159e1b6bedfd2efbb5
Kevin J. Conlan, CTO of DCI Resources, wrote an interesting Op-Ed arguing that Connecticut must proactively embrace AI to drive economic and social progress, making connections between the impact internet access has had in previous decades. His article stresses the urgency of AI literacy and advocates for public-private partnerships to make AI resources accessible and to integrate AI education at all levels of education. Read more at https://www.ctinsider.com/opinion/article/ai-ct-chatgpt-20352823.php
Remember that the future of education is being shaped now and we need more voices that are informed, thoughtful, and equity-driven. Subscribe to Jody’s newsletter to get weekly updates delivered right to your in-box.
