Online education

OpenAI outlines advertising plans for ChatGPT access

The US AI firm, OpenAI, has announced plans to test advertising within ChatGPT as part of a broader effort to widen access to advanced AI tools.

An initiative that focuses on supporting the free version and the low-cost ChatGPT Go subscription, while paid tiers such as Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise will continue without advertisements.

According to the company, advertisements will remain clearly separated from ChatGPT responses and will never influence the answers users receive.

Responses will continue to be optimised for usefulness instead of commercial outcomes, with OpenAI emphasising that trust and perceived neutrality remain central to the product’s value.

User privacy forms a core pillar of the approach. Conversations will stay private, data will not be sold to advertisers, and users will retain the ability to disable ad personalisation or remove advertising-related data at any time.

During early trials, ads will not appear for accounts linked to users under 18, nor within sensitive or regulated areas such as health, mental wellbeing, or politics.

OpenAI describes advertising as a complementary revenue stream rather than a replacement for subscriptions.

The company argues that a diversified model can help keep advanced intelligence accessible to a wider population, while maintaining long term incentives aligned with user trust and product quality.

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Law schools urged to embed practical AI training in legal education

With AI tools now widely available to legal professionals, educators and practitioners argue that law schools should integrate practical AI instruction into curricula rather than leave students to learn informally.

The article describes a semester-long experiment in an Entrepreneurship Clinic where students were trained on legal AI tools from platforms such as Bloomberg Law, Lexis and Westlaw, with exercises designed to show both advantages and limitations of these systems.

In structured exercises, students used different AI products to carry out tasks like drafting, research and client communication, revealing that tools vary widely in capabilities and reinforcing the importance of independent legal judgement.

Educators emphasise that AI should be taught as a complement to legal reasoning, not a substitute, and that understanding how and when to verify AI outputs is essential for responsible practice.

The article concludes that clarifying the distinction between AI as a tool and as a crutch will help prepare future lawyers to use technology ethically and competently in both transactional work and litigation.

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Microsoft launches Elevate for Educators programme

Elevate for Educators, launched by Microsoft, is a global programme designed to help teachers build the skills and confidence to use AI tools in the classroom. The initiative provides free access to training, credentials, and professional learning resources.

The programme connects educators to peer networks, self-paced courses, and AI-powered simulations. The aim is to support responsible AI adoption while improving teaching quality and classroom outcomes.

New educator credentials have been developed in partnership with ISTE and ASCD. Schools and education systems can also gain recognition for supporting professional development and demonstrating impact in classrooms.

AI-powered education tools within Microsoft 365 have been expanded to support lesson planning and personalised instruction. New features help teachers adapt materials to different learning needs and provide students with faster feedback.

College students will also receive free access to Microsoft 365 Premium and LinkedIn Premium Career for 12 months. The offer includes AI tools, productivity apps, and career resources to support future employment.

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Australia’s social media age limit prompts restrictions on millions of under-16 accounts

Major social media platforms restricted access to approximately 4.7 million accounts linked to children under 16 across Australia during early December, following the introduction of the national social media minimum age requirement.

Initial figures collected by eSafety indicate that platforms with high youth usage are already engaging in early compliance efforts.

Since the obligation took effect on 10 December, regulatory focus has shifted towards monitoring and enforcement instead of preparation, targeting services assessed as age-restricted.

Early data suggests meaningful steps are being taken, although authorities stress it remains too soon to determine whether platforms have achieved full compliance.

eSafety has emphasised continuous improvement in age-assurance accuracy, alongside the industry’s responsibility to prevent circumvention.

Reports indicate some under-16 accounts remain active, although early signals point towards reduced exposure and gradual behavioural change rather than immediate elimination.

Officials note that the broader impact of the minimum age policy will emerge over time, supported by a planned independent, longitudinal evaluation involving academic and youth mental health experts.

Data collection will continue to monitor compliance, platform migration trends and long-term safety outcomes for children and families in Australia.

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Wikipedia marks 25 years with new global tech partnerships

Wikipedia marked its 25th anniversary by showcasing the rapid expansion of Wikimedia Enterprise and its growing tech partnerships. The milestone reflects Wikipedia’s evolution into one of the most trusted and widely used knowledge sources in the digital economy.

Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Mistral AI, and Perplexity have joined the partner roster for the first time, alongside Google, Ecosia, and several other companies already working with Wikimedia Enterprise.

These organisations integrate human-curated Wikipedia content into search engines, AI models, voice assistants, and data platforms, helping deliver verified knowledge to billions of users worldwide.

Wikipedia remains one of the top ten most visited websites globally and the only one in that group operated by a non-profit organisation. With over 65 million articles in 300+ languages, the platform is a key dataset for training large language models.

Wikimedia Enterprise provides structured, high-speed access to this content through on-demand, snapshot, and real-time APIs, allowing companies to use Wikipedia data at scale while supporting its long-term sustainability.

As Wikipedia continues to expand into new languages and subject areas, its value for AI development, search, and specialised knowledge applications is expected to grow further.

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Why young people across South Asia turn to AI

Children and young adults across South Asia are increasingly turning to AI tools for emotional reassurance, schoolwork and everyday advice, even while acknowledging their shortcomings.

Easy access to smartphones, cheap data and social pressures have made chatbots a constant presence, often filling gaps left by limited human interaction.

Researchers and child safety experts warn that growing reliance on AI risks weakening critical thinking, reducing social trust and exposing young users to privacy and bias-related harms.

Studies show that many children understand AI can mislead or oversimplify, yet receive little guidance at school or home on how to question outputs or assess risks.

Rather than banning AI outright, experts argue for child-centred regulation, stronger safeguards and digital literacy that involves parents, educators and communities.

Without broader social support systems and clear accountability from technology companies, AI risks becoming a substitute for human connection instead of a tool that genuinely supports learning and wellbeing.

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AI-assisted money management adoption rises

Young adults in the UK are increasingly turning to AI for help with managing their finances, as many struggle to save and maintain control over spending.

A survey of 5,000 adults aged 28 to 40 found that impulse purchases and weak self-discipline frequently undermine savings, while most feel they could improve their financial knowledge.

AI-powered financial tools are gaining traction, particularly among those aged 28 to 34. Nearly two-thirds of respondents would trust AI to advise on disposable income, and over half would allow it to manage bills or prevent overdrafts.

However, nearly a quarter prefer to start with limited use, seeking proof of value before full engagement.

Regional differences highlight the uneven financial landscape in the UK. Londoners save significantly more than the national average, while cities such as Newcastle and Cardiff lag far behind.

Experts suggest fintech solutions must balance behavioural support with practical assistance and consider regional disparities to be effective.

Fintechs should prioritise tools that deliver immediate value over purely aspirational AI features. Modular tools and age- or region-specific solutions are likely to engage users, especially older millennials with rising financial responsibilities.

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Winnipeg schools embrace AI as classroom learning tool

At General Wolfe School and other Winnipeg classrooms, students are using AI tools to help with tasks such as translating language and understanding complex terms, with teachers guiding them on how to verify AI-generated information against reliable sources.

Teachers are cautious but optimistic, developing a thinking framework that prioritises critical thinking and human judgement alongside AI use rather than rigid policies as the technology evolves.

Educators in the Winnipeg School Division are adapting teaching methods to incorporate AI while discouraging over-reliance, stressing that students should use AI as an aid rather than a substitute for learning.

This reflects broader discussions in education about how to balance innovation with foundational skills as AI becomes more commonplace in school environments.

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New UK research hub explores AI in the humanities

Researchers at the University of Wolverhampton in the UK are launching a Digital Futures Lab, focusing on virtual reality and AI in the humanities. The hub opens on 7 February.

The facility will support collaboration between academics, students, businesses and cultural organisations. Launch events will showcase practical uses of VR, AI and digital language tools across research and culture.

Speakers will discuss chatbots, algorithms and data analysis shaping modern arts and humanities research. The project builds on the university’s wider investment in cyber resilience and AI.

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UK considers social media limits for youth

Keir Starmer has told Labour MPs that he is open to an Australian-style ban on social media for young people, following concerns about the amount of time children spend on screens.

The prime minister said reports of very young children using phones for hours each day have increased anxiety about the effects of digital platforms on under-16s.

Starmer previously opposed such a ban, arguing that enforcement would prove difficult and might instead push teenagers towards unregulated online spaces rather than safer platforms. Growing political momentum across Westminster, combined with Australia’s decision to act, has led to a reassessment of that position.

Speaking to MPs, Starmer said different enforcement approaches were being examined and added that phone use during school hours should be restricted.

UK ministers have also revisited earlier proposals aimed at reducing the addictive design of social media and strengthening safeguards on devices sold to teenagers.

Support for stricter measures has emerged across party lines, with senior figures from Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK signalling openness to a ban.

A final decision is expected within months as ministers weigh child safety, regulation and practical implementation.

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