The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has recently updated its Russia General License (GL) 25E, maintaining authorisation for essential and incidental transactions to telecommunications involving the Russian Federation. That license facilitates various internet-based services, including instant messaging, social networking, and e-learning platforms.
It supports the ongoing exchange of communications and allows for the export or reexport of related software, hardware, and technology, provided such transactions comply with the Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations. However, it is important to note that transactions involving significant Russian telecommunications companies designated by OFAC remain unauthorised under this license and must be carefully analysed.
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has also issued a critical alert regarding Russia’s attempts to evade sanctions by establishing new overseas branches and subsidiaries of Russian financial institutions. That alert warns that these efforts to open new international branches or subsidiaries should be considered potential red flags for sanction evasion.
Financial institutions and foreign regulators are advised to exercise caution when engaging with these entities, as activities such as maintaining accounts, transferring funds, or providing financial services may carry significant risks of facilitating Russia’s attempts to bypass sanctions.
An international school near Brussels, Belgium has implemented a strict policy to curb smartphone use by requiring students to place their devices in a locker at the start of the day. If students are found using smartphones, the devices are confiscated and returned at the end of the school day.
This initiative, led by school director David Bogaerts, is set to be adopted by hundreds of schools across Brussels and Wallonia. The new Francophone community government plans to enforce a smartphone ban in primary schools and the first three years of secondary schools. This reflects a growing trend across Europe, with the Netherlands already enacting such bans and France and Ireland contemplating similar measures. The same debate is also ongoing in the US.
These bans are driven by rising concerns over distractions and cyberbullying associated with smartphones, along with the negative effects of excessive screen time on children’s mental health. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted these concerns, emphasising the critical importance of teenage years for brain and personality development and the susceptibility of young people to social media’s harms. In classrooms, teachers face challenges managing apps like TikTok, Snapchat, and the newer TenTen, which distract students significantly.
In response, the Francophone school federation Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement (WBE) has announced a comprehensive smartphone ban, arguing that previous, less restrictive measures have failed.
Why does it matter?
While some support the ban for its clarity and positive impacts on behaviour and attention spans, others also warn it may prevent students from learning responsible smartphone use during formative years. Alternatives include using apps to monitor smartphone use as educational tools and integrating laptops for digital learning, providing a balanced approach to managing technology in schools.
Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania have launched the DigiTruck initiative, a groundbreaking program to enhance digital education and skills across Tanzania. The initiative aligns with the Tanzanian government’s vision of promoting innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development through digital technologies. DigiTruck seeks to empower individuals with the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world by focusing on underserved populations, particularly youth and women.
The DigiTruck program is designed to provide digital skills training and education, with plans to cover ten regions in its first year. By the end of the second year, the initiative aims to reach all areas of Tanzania, benefiting thousands of individuals. A vital feature of this initiative is its emphasis on inclusion, as the DigiTruck will serve as a mobile classroom equipped with innovative ICT solutions. The setup will make quality education more accessible, especially for those in remote areas.
The DigiTruck initiative is supported by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 15 February 2024 between Huawei and Vodacom Tanzania. This agreement outlines plans for collaboration in corporate social responsibility, startup acceleration, and digital skills development.
Huawei’s global experience with DigiTruck initiatives in 18 other countries, impacting over 93,000 people, underscores the program’s potential to transform lives through digital education.
Plans to introduce AI-powered textbooks in South Korean classrooms have sparked concerns among parents. The government aims to roll out tablets with these advanced textbooks next year, with the goal of using them across all subjects by 2028, excluding music, art, physical education, and ethics. The AI textbooks will be designed to adapt to different learning speeds, and teachers will monitor student progress through dashboards.
However, many parents are uneasy about the impact of this new technology on their children’s well-being. Over 50,000 have signed a petition urging the government to prioritise overall student health rather than focusing solely on technological advancements. They argue that excessive exposure to digital devices is already causing unprecedented issues.
One concerned parent, Lee Sun-youn, highlighted worries about the potential negative effects on children’s brain development and concentration. She pointed out that students in South Korea are already heavily reliant on smartphones and tablets, and increased screen time in classrooms could exacerbate these problems.
The government has yet to provide detailed information on how the AI textbook program will be implemented. As the rollout approaches, the debate over the balance between technology and student welfare continues to intensify.
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has highlighted the significant role of provinces in supporting students through the National Finance Commission (NFC), which allocates 60 percent of its shares to them. Speaking at the International Youth Day event, he pointed out that provinces now have ample resources to invest in educational initiatives, including the distribution of laptops, a practice he championed as Chief Minister of Punjab.
The Prime Minister announced that the federal government would distribute smartphones to one million high-achieving students, while provinces will continue to provide laptops. Emphasising the importance of technology in education, he underlined that equipping the new generation with modern tools is essential for the country’s future. AI, he noted, is a key area for growth.
Citing China’s success through technological advancements, the Prime Minister of Pakistan vowed to make all necessary resources available to students. He also reflected on accumulated debt over the past 70 years, contrasting it with the vision of the country’s founders. The speech included a call to action for a long-term educational programme to be launched after 14 August.
Sharif’s remarks stressed the need to bridge the gap between different social classes in Pakistan, with a focus on ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to the latest technology. He expressed hope that these initiatives would lead to a brighter future for the nation.
OpenAI has developed a method to detect when ChatGPT is used to write essays or research papers, but the company still needs to release it. That decision results from an internal debate lasting two years, balancing the company’s commitment to transparency with the potential to deter users. One survey found nearly a third of loyal ChatGPT users would be turned off by the anti-cheating technology.
Concerns have been raised that the tool could disproportionately affect non-native English speakers. OpenAI’s spokeswoman emphasised the need for a deliberate approach due to the complexities involved. Employees supporting the tool argue that its benefits outweigh the risks, as AI-generated essays can be completed in seconds, posing a significant issue for educators.
The watermarking method would subtly alter token selection in AI-generated text, creating a detectable pattern invisible to human readers. That method is reported to be 99.9% effective, but there are concerns it could be bypassed through translation or text modifications. OpenAI is still determining how to provide access to the detector while preventing misuse.
Despite the effectiveness of watermarking, internal discussions at OpenAI have been ongoing since before ChatGPT’s launch in 2022. A 2023 survey showed global support for AI detection tools, but many ChatGPT users feared false accusations of AI use. OpenAI explores alternative approaches to address these concerns while maintaining AI transparency and credibility.
Teachers have long worried about ChatGPT enabling students to cheat, with its ability to produce essays and solve problems quickly. According to Chegg, 40% of undergraduates worldwide have used generative AI, with many relying on it daily. However, education experts at the Fortune Brainstorm AI Singapore conference believe that generative AI can now be a valuable tool for educators.
Initially, educators feared widespread plagiarism with the introduction of ChatGPT, said Sonita Jeyapathy from the National University of Singapore. Yet, this concern has shifted as teachers began to see the potential of AI in enhancing their teaching methods. Khairul Anwar, founder of Malaysian edtech startup Pandai, noted that teachers seek AI assistance for lesson planning, student motivation, and professional development.
Pandai’s chatbot, designed to assist with homework, exemplifies this shift. Instead of providing direct answers, it guides students through problems step-by-step, encouraging more profound understanding. Tim Baldwin of the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence highlighted further AI advancements, such as personalised tutoring tailored to individual learning styles, making education more accessible.
Panelists acknowledged that AI-enabled cheating isn’t new and emphasised the importance of student motivation and institutional values in deterring dishonesty. Anwar suggested that framing education as a transactional path to material success can encourage cheating, advocating instead for highlighting the intrinsic value of learning.
Seomjae, a Seoul-based education solutions developer, is set to launch its AI-powered mathematics learning program at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next January. The program uses an AI Retrieval-Augmented Generation model, developed over two years by a team of 40 mathematicians and AI developers. It features over 120,000 math problems and 30,000 lectures, offering personalised education tracks for each student.
Beta testing will begin on July 29, involving 50 students from Seoul, Ulsan, and Boston. The feedback will help enhance the technology and its feasibility. The innovative system, called Transforming Educational Content to AI, extracts and analyses information from lectures and problem solutions to provide core content.
Seomjae is also expanding its business portfolio to include an essay-writing educational program through partnerships in the US and Vietnam. The company will participate in Dubai’s Gulf Information Technology Exhibition this October, showcasing its new educational technologies.
A company official expressed excitement about starting beta testing and integrating diverse feedback to improve the program. The goal is to refine the AI system and ensure its effectiveness for students worldwide.
The US National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly (RA) delegates have approved the NEA’s first policy statement on the use of AI in education, providing educators with a roadmap for the safe, effective, and accessible use of AI in classrooms.
Since the fall of 2023, a task force of teachers, education support professionals, higher-ed faculty, and other stakeholders has been diligently working on this policy. Their efforts resulted in a 6-page policy statement, which RA delegates reviewed during an open hearing on 24 June and overwhelmingly approved on Thursday.
A central tenet of the new policy is that students and educators must remain at the heart of the educational process. AI should continue the human connection essential for inspiring and guiding students. The policy highlights that while AI can enhance education, it must be used responsibly, focusing on protecting data, ensuring equitable access, and providing opportunities for learning about AI.
The task force identified several opportunities AI presents, such as customising instructional methods for students with disabilities and making classrooms more inclusive. However, they also acknowledged risks, including potential biases due to the lack of diversity among AI developers and the environmental impact of AI technology. It’s crucial to involve traditionally marginalised groups in AI development and policy-making to ensure inclusivity. The policy clarifies that AI shouldn’t be used to make high-stakes decisions like class placements or graduation eligibility.
Why does this matter?
The policy underscores the importance of comprehensive professional learning for educators on AI to ensure its ethical and effective use in teaching. More than 7 in 10 K-12 teachers have never received professional learning on AI. It also raises concerns about exacerbating the digital divide, emphasising that all students should have access to cutting-edge technology and educators skilled in its use across all subjects, not just in computer science.
Tech Mahindra has partnered with Microsoft to enhance workplace experiences for over 1,200 customers and more than 10,000 employees across 15 locations by adopting Copilot for Microsoft 365. The collaboration aims to boost workforce efficiency and streamline processes through Microsoft’s trusted cloud platform and generative AI capabilities. Additionally, Tech Mahindra will deploy GitHub Copilot for 5,000 developers, anticipating a productivity increase of 35% to 40%.
Mohit Joshi, CEO and Managing Director of Tech Mahindra, highlighted the transformative potential of the partnership, emphasising the company’s commitment to shaping the future of work with cutting-edge AI technology. Tech Mahindra plans to extend Copilot’s capabilities with plugins to leverage multiple data sources, enhancing creativity and productivity. The focus is on increasing efficiency, reducing effort, and improving quality and compliance across the board.
As part of the initiative, Tech Mahindra has launched a dedicated Copilot practice to help customers unlock the full potential of AI tools, including workforce training for assessment and preparation. The company will offer comprehensive solutions to help customers assess, prepare, pilot, and adopt business solutions using Copilot for Microsoft 365, providing a scalable and personalised user experience.
Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Microsoft, remarked that the collaboration would empower Tech Mahindra’s employees with new generative AI capabilities, enhancing workplace experiences and increasing developer productivity. The partnership aligns with Tech Mahindra’s ongoing efforts to enhance workforce productivity using GenAI tools, demonstrated by the recent launch of a unified workbench on Microsoft Fabric to accelerate the adoption of complex data workflows.
