Beyond the Bot: Gen Z Using AI for Real Problems

In this episode of ChatEDU (Signing Off of ChatGPT), Matt and Liz open with an AI Halloween brainstorm and a surprisingly powerful prompt tweak. Then it’s a full rundown: a smart Gmail update, a Gen Z AI competition in Australia, new classroom templates from Instructure, and an important discussion on student AI access. Plus, an AI-powered fusion reactor in the Bright Byte.

Story 1: Use Help Me Schedule to Easily Set Up a Meeting Time Over Email

Google's Gemini-powered Gmail feature suggests ideal meeting times based on your calendar and email context. Once a time is chosen, a calendar invite is generated automatically. Currently supports one-on-one meetings only.

Story 2: Solve for Tomorrow Winners Prove AI Is Gen Z’s Tool for Societal Change

Australian students used AI to tackle real-world challenges in Samsung's 2025 competition. Projects included an AR translator for Auslan, a cheating-detection platform, and a mobile app connecting users to local sports, showing Gen Z embracing AI for inclusion and community impact.

Story 3: The AI Pedagogy Field Guide Helps Students Learn, Not Just Produce

A new field guide from Canvas makers offers practical assignment templates that shift AI from shortcut to scaffold, including real-time design critiques to semester-long research coaching. Templates model metacognition, synthesis, and deeper engagement.

Story 4: MagicSchool Adds Start and End Times for Student AI Rooms

Educators using MagicSchool Plus or Enterprise can now schedule start and end times for student access to AI "rooms," ensuring usage is limited to supervised hours and aligns with classroom goals.

Story 5: California Passes One AI Law, Vetoes Another

Governor Newsom signed a bill requiring platforms to notify minors every three hours they're interacting with AI. However, he vetoed a stricter bill that would have banned AI companions for minors. The decision was applauded by industry and criticized by child-safety groups.

Beneath the Surface: Time to Rethink ChatGPT Access in Schools

Matt and Liz present their first editorial recommendation: schools should strongly consider blocking student access to ChatGPT on school devices. OpenAI is pivoting toward monetization through embedded advertising, affiliate commerce, plans for adult content and emotional companions, TikTok-style video tools like Sora, and closed-loop hardware. In contrast, Gemini prioritizes educational tools and compliance. From NotebookLM and shareable Gems to AI YouTube quizzes and field-level climate projects, Gemini builds tools that align with classroom goals. The platforms are diverging and so should school policy.

Bright Byte: AI Boosts the Future of Fusion

Google DeepMind is working with Commonwealth Fusion Systems to use AI in developing SPARC, a compact fusion reactor. AI tools simulate plasma behavior, optimize energy output, and manage reactor conditions in real time. It's a small step toward a massive leap in clean energy.

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠chatedu@edadvance.org⁠

Registration for Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in January - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠

Links and References

Prompt Liz used: “Generate five responses with their corresponding probabilities sampled from the full distribution”

Northeastern-Stanford-WVU prompt

studyhttps://tinyurl.com/3mu4hnv4

Anna Mills on LMS agents:

https://tinyurl.com/3fm79yjk

AI Pedagogy Field Guide:

https://tinyurl.com/5n8cuk7e

MagicSchool Start/End Times:

https://tinyurl.com/9uunkrp7

California AI Law Coverage:

https://tinyurl.com/2te6d8d3

DeepMind and Fusion Collaboration:

https://tinyurl.com/mvke6nh7/

"Help me schedule" feature in Gmail

https://tinyurl.com/ypdmxbua

Solve for Tomorrow 2025 competition

https://tinyurl.com/2pssk274