School districts across the US are adopting diverse approaches to integrating AI in classrooms, with some focusing on preventing misuse by students and others using AI to enhance learning and prepare students for the workforce. The federal government supports AI in education, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order to create educational opportunities related to AI and Education Secretary Linda McMahon proposing grants for AI initiatives.

Integrating video games into K-12 education can foster student engagement and create a student-centered classroom, says William Watson, a Purdue University professor of learning design technology. Watson suggests that educators can use narrative-based games and even board games to achieve learning outcomes.

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is partnering with Prince George's County, Md., to invest in education, social justice and youth mentorship, focusing on AI for student literacy. County Executive Aisha Braveboy announced the partnership at the Maryland Association of Counties conference. Kaepernick introduced his AI tool, Lumi, last month to help students create stories and improve literacy.

Michael Gaskell shares strategies for dealing with difficult parents, emphasizing the importance of persuasion and collaboration over confrontation. Gaskell recounts a personal experience during the pandemic where he diffused a tense situation by showing compassion and agreeing to support the parent's child, ultimately leading to a positive outcome. He advises educators to listen actively, acknowledge parents' concerns and express genuine care for their children to build trust and shift the dynamic from adversarial to cooperative.

The risk of student privacy is increasing as AI becomes more prevalent in classrooms, especially since the protections of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, are limited and enforcement is rare. Privacy advocates warn that classroom AI tools could heighten the risk when teachers or students use unapproved chatbots without clear school guidance, and data breaches like last year's PowerSchool hack highlight the vulnerability of student data, such as grades, behavioral records and private communication.

Minnesota filed a lawsuit in state court accusing TikTok of using addictive algorithms to target young people in violation of state laws regarding consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices. About two dozen states have now brought such lawsuits against the social media company, according to Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office. A TikTok spokesperson said the Minnesota lawsuit "is based on misleading and inaccurate claims."

Seventy-one percent of Americans are worried that AI could result in the permanent loss of jobs for many workers, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. Despite the current low unemployment rate, there is significant anxiety about AI fundamentally changing the job landscape and displacing large numbers of employees across various sectors.

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Watch Henry Winkler talk about himself as Fonzie doing a literal interpretation of the Hein idiom.