This week: AI Goes to College

Wise Tech - Technology news for non-tech humans!

1. OpenAI Wants to Embed AI in Every Facet of College

What’s the Tech
OpenAI plans to bring AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools like ChatGPT into campus life, giving every student an AI-powered account akin to school email. These tools aim to assist with learning, tutoring, administrative tasks, and career support—all personalized for each student .

How It’s Used
Under this plan, students can consult AI for homework help or study guides. Professors could use it for lecture prep or grading. AI chatbots might handle campus questions—like scheduling or housing—so administrative staff can focus on complex issues.

Why It’s News Now
Pilot programs are already underway at universities like Cal State with hundreds of thousands of students. This rapid deployment has sparked debate about academic fairness, data privacy, and the potential for AI to enable cheating .

Read more on NYT (gift article)

2. Google’s AI Search Features are Killing Traffic to Publishers

What’s the Tech
Google’s “AI Overviews” and “AI Mode” use its Gemini AI model to generate direct answers in the search results,without the usual blue links.

How It’s Used
Instead of clicking through to articles, users get instant, conversational responses. The summaries are built from publishers’ content, but readers stay on Google rather than visiting the source site.

Why It’s News Now
This shift is slashing referral traffic to publishers. Business Insider saw a 55% decline in traffic, while HuffPost and The Washington Post dropped by around half. Publishers worry it endangers journalism’s funding model. Some are pushing for licensing fees, legal solutions, and new revenue strategies .

Read more on TechCrunch

3. China is Racing Ahead with Sodium‑Ion Batteries to Power Scooters

What’s the Tech
Sodium‑ion batteries use salt-based ions instead of lithium—it’s a similar rechargeable technology that taps into common sea salt.

How It’s Used
In China, brands like Yadea have launched sodium-powered scooters. They’re building dedicated charging and battery-swap stations—in Hangzhou alone over 1,000 fast-charge stations, and 20,000 swap stations planned for this year.

Why It’s News Now
These batteries are cheaper, more sustainable, and ideal for short-range travel. Once nearly 0 % of scooters used sodium-ion, but they expect to reach about 15 % adoption by 2030. The push supports China’s broader goals for renewable energy and transport electrification.

Read more on TechRadar

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