Online education

Coding meets creativity in Minecraft Education’s AI tutorial

Minecraft Education is introducing an AI-powered twist on the classic first night challenge with a new Hour of AI world. Players explore a puzzle-driven environment that turns early survival stress into a guided coding and learning experience.

The activity drops players into a familiar biome and tasks them with building shelter before sunset. Instead of panicking at distant rustles or looming shadows, learners work with an AI agent designed to support planning and problem-solving.

Using MakeCode programming, players teach their agent to recognise patterns, classify resources, and coordinate helper bots. The agent mimics real AI behaviour by learning from examples and occasionally making mistakes that require human correction to improve its decisions.

As the agent becomes more capable, it shifts from a simple tool to a partner that automates key tasks and reduces first-night pressure. The aim is to let players develop creative strategies rather than resort to frantic survival instincts.

Designed for ages seven and up, the experience is free to access through Minecraft Education. It introduces core AI literacy concepts, blending gameplay with lessons on how AI systems learn, adapt, and occasionally fail, all wrapped in a familiar, family-friendly setting.

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AI tools deployed to set tailored attendance goals for English schools

England will introduce AI-generated attendance targets for each school, setting tailored improvement baselines based on the context and needs of each school. Schools with higher absence rates will be paired with strong performers for support. Thirty-six new Attendance and Behaviour Hubs will help drive the rollout.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said raising attendance is essential for opportunity. She highlighted the progress made since the pandemic, but noted that variation remains too high. The AI targets aim to disseminate effective practices across all schools.

A new toolkit will guide schools through key transition points, such as the transition from Year 7 to Year 8. CHS South in Manchester is highlighted for using summer family activities to ease anxiety. Officials say early engagement can stabilise attendance.

CHS South Deputy Head Sue Burke said the goal is to ensure no pupil feels left out. She credited the attendance team for combining support with firm expectations. The model is presented as a template for broader adoption.

The policy blends AI analysis with pastoral strategies to address entrenched absence. Ministers argue that consistent attendance drives long-term outcomes. The UK government expects personalised targets and shared practice to embed lasting improvement.

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Northern Ireland teachers reclaim hours with AI

A six-month pilot across Northern Ireland put Gemini and Workspace into classrooms. One hundred teachers participated under the Education Authority’s C2k programme. Reported benefits centred on time savings and practical support for everyday teaching.

Participants said they saved around ten hours per week on routine tasks where freed time was redirected to pupil engagement and professional development. More than six hundred use cases from the one hundred participants were documented during the trial period.

Teachers cited varied applications, from drafting parent letters to generating risk assessments quickly. NotebookLM helped transform curriculum materials into podcasts and interactive mind maps. Inclusive lessons were tailored, including Irish language activities and support for neurodivergent learners.

C2k plans wider training so more Northen Ireland educators can adopt the tools responsibly. Leadership framed AI as collaborative, not a replacement for teachers. Further partnerships are expected to align products with established pedagogical principles.

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€5.5bn Google plan expands German data centres, carbon-free power and skills programmes

Google will invest €5.5bn in Germany from 2026 to 2029, adding a Dietzenbach data centre and expanding its Hanau facility. It will expand offices in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, and launch skilling and a first German heat-recovery project. Estimated impact: ~€1.016bn GDP and ~9,000 jobs annually.

Dietzenbach will strengthen German cloud regions within Google’s 42-region network, used by firms such as Mercedes-Benz. Google Cloud highlights Vertex AI, Gemini, and sovereign options for local compliance. Continued Hanau investment supports low-latency AI workloads.

Google and Engie will extend 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy in Germany through 2030, adding new wind and solar. The portfolio will be optimised with storage and Ørsted’s Borkum Riffgrund 3. Operations are projected to be 85% carbon-free in 2026.

A partnership with Energieversorgung Offenbach will utilise excess data centre heat to feed into Dietzenbach’s district network, serving over 2,000 households. Water work includes wetland protection with NABU in Hesse’s Büttelborn Bruchwiesen. Google reiterates its 24/7 carbon-free goal.

Office expansion includes Munich’s Arnulfpost for up to 2,000 staff, Frankfurt’s Global Tower space, and additional floors in Berlin. Local partnerships will fund digital skills and STEM programmes. Officials and customers welcomed the move for its benefits to infrastructure, sovereignty, and innovation.

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OpenAI loses German copyright lawsuit over song lyrics reproduction

A Munich regional court has ruled that OpenAI infringed copyright in a landmark case brought by the German rights society GEMA. The court held OpenAI liable for reproducing and memorising copyrighted lyrics without authorisation, rejecting its claim to operate as a non-profit research institute.

The judgement found that OpenAI had violated copyright even in a 15-word passage, setting a low threshold for infringement. Additionally, the court dismissed arguments about accidental reproduction and technical errors, emphasising that both reproduction and memorisation require a licence.

It also denied OpenAI’s request for a grace period to make compliance changes, citing negligence.

Judges concluded that the company could not rely on proportionality defences, noting that licences were available and alternative AI models exist.

OpenAI’s claim that EU copyright law failed to foresee large language models was rejected, as the court reaffirmed that European law ensures a high level of protection for intellectual property.

The ruling marks a significant step for copyright enforcement in the age of generative AI and could shape future litigation across Europe. It also challenges technology companies to adapt their training and licensing practices to comply with existing legal frameworks.

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Judges in Asia join UNESCO-led training on ethical AI in justice

Judges and justice officials from 11 countries across Asia are gathering in Bangkok for a regional training focused on AI and the rule of law. The event, held from 12 November to 14, 2025, is jointly organised by UNESCO, UNDP, and the Thailand Institute of Justice.

Participants will examine how AI can enhance judicial efficiency while upholding human rights and ethical standards.

The training, based on UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law for the Justice Sector, will help participants assess both the benefits and challenges of AI in judicial processes. Officials will address algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability to ensure AI tools uphold justice.

AI technologies are already transforming case management, legal research, and court administration. However, experts warn that unchecked use may amplify bias or weaken judicial independence.

The workshop aims to strengthen regional cooperation and train officials to assess AI systems using legal and ethical principles. The initiative supports UN SDG 16 and advances UNESCO’s mission to promote moral, inclusive, and trustworthy governance of AI.

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University of Athens partners with Google to boost AI education

The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has announced a new partnership with Google to enhance university-level education in AI. The collaboration grants all students free 12-month access to Google’s AI Pro programme, a suite of advanced learning and research tools.

Through the initiative, students can use Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s latest AI model, along with Deep Research and NotebookLM for academic exploration and study organisation. The offer also includes 2 TB of cloud storage and access to Veo 3 for video creation and Jules for coding support.

The programme aims to expand digital literacy and increase hands-on engagement with generative and research-driven AI tools. By integrating these technologies into everyday study, the university hopes to cultivate a new generation of AI-experienced graduates.

University officials view the collaboration as a milestone in Greek AI-driven education, following recent national initiatives to introduce AI programmes in schools and healthcare. The partnership marks a significant step in aligning higher education with the global digital economy.

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UNDP and Algorand launch blockchain training for 24,000 staff

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has officially expanded its Blockchain Academy to reach 24,000 personnel worldwide, including staff from UNDP, UN Volunteers, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The initiative, launched in partnership with the Algorand Foundation, aims to strengthen understanding and practical use of blockchain technology to support sustainable development goals.

The academy’s expanded curriculum builds on a successful beta phase that certified over 30 UN personnel and introduced 18 hours of specialised training. It now offers advanced modules to help UN staff design transparent and efficient blockchain solutions for real-world challenges.

The training also fosters a collaborative network where participants share best practices and develop blockchain-driven projects across global programmes.

UNDP has used blockchain since 2015 to boost transparency and inclusion, from tracking supply chains to supporting energy trading and digital investments. Through its Algorand partnership, UNDP aims to speed up blockchain adoption by offering technical support and project incubation for scalable sustainable impact.

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Meta invests $600 billion to expand AI data centres across the US

A $600 billion investment aimed at boosting innovation, job creation, and sustainability is being launched in the US by Meta to expand its AI infrastructure.

Instead of outsourcing development, the company is building its new generation of AI data centres domestically, reinforcing America’s leadership in technology and supporting local economies.

Since 2010, Meta’s data centre projects have supported more than 30,000 skilled trade jobs and 5,000 operational roles, generating $20 billion in business for US subcontractors. These facilities are designed to power Meta’s AI ambitions while driving regional economic growth.

The company emphasises responsible development by investing heavily in renewable energy and water efficiency. Its projects have added 15 gigawatts of new energy to US power grids, upgraded local infrastructure, and helped restore water systems in surrounding communities.

Meta aims to become fully water positive by 2030.

Beyond infrastructure, Meta has channelled $58 million into community grants for schools, nonprofits, and local initiatives, including STEM education and veteran training programmes.

As AI grows increasingly central to digital progress, Meta’s continued investment in sustainable, community-focused data centres underscores its vision for a connected, intelligent future built within the US.

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How Google uses AI to support teachers and inspire students

Google is redefining education with AI designed to enhance learning, rather than replace teachers. The company has unveiled new tools grounded in learning science to support both educators and students, aiming to make learning more effective, efficient and engaging.

Through its Gemini platform, users can follow guided learning paths that encourage discovery rather than passive answers.

YouTube and Search now include conversational features that allow students to ask questions as they learn, while NotebookLM can transform personal materials into quizzes or immersive study aids.

Instructors can also utilise Google Classroom’s free AI tools for lesson planning and administrative support, thereby freeing up time for direct student engagement.

Google emphasises that its goal is to preserve the human essence of education while using AI to expand understanding. The company also addresses challenges linked to AI in learning, such as cheating, fairness, accuracy and critical thinking.

It is exploring assessment models that cannot be easily replicated by AI, including debates, projects, and oral examinations.

The firm pledges to develop its tools responsibly by collaborating with educators, parents and policymakers. By combining the art of teaching with the science of AI-driven learning, Google seeks to make education more personal, equitable and inspiring for all.

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