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Earth Mapping, Emerging Majors, and New Group Chats: How A.I. continues to impact students’ present and future

Mapping the Planet, Mindfully: What AlphaEarth teaches students about tech and responsibility

The Gist: Google DeepMind has introduced AlphaEarth Foundations, an A.I. tool that acts like a virtual satellite and can map Earth in near real time. It brings together trillions of images to help researchers study the planet in impressive detail, which helps environmentalists to protect forests, monitor water access, and strengthen food security. However, this new tool highlights an important lesson for students on striking a balance between using tech for good while respecting its boundaries and limitations. 

What to Know: AlphaEarth Foundations brings together data from radar scans, 3D mapping, satellite photos, and climate models to create one clear picture of what is happening on Earth. This helps scientists avoid the challenge of piecing together information from many different satellites that pass over our heads at different times. Early tests show that AlphaEarth Foundations performs better than similar models when identifying land use and estimating surface conditions.

While it’s exciting to consider what this new data means for environmentalists and scientists, this type of technology does not come without trade-offs. A.I. models that handle enormous amounts of data require large-scale systems that run for long periods of time. Those systems use electricity and create heat, which means they add to the carbon emissions that scientists are trying to reduce. This does not mean A.I. should be avoided, but it highlights the need for responsible design, thoughtful energy choices, and ongoing conversations about how to balance innovation with environmental care. Students benefit from understanding both sides and understanding how to approach these tools with balance. 

TSI’s Take: Technology plays a growing role in how students understand the world, and tools like AlphaEarth show how A.I. can support scientific discovery while also reminding us to think about intentional tech use. When students learn to explore these tools with curiosity and care, they strengthen their ability to make informed choices about the technology around them. Here are a few ways to help students build thoughtful and balanced tech habits:

• Engage with learning opportunities: Encourage students to explore tools that deepen their understanding of climate, communities, and global challenges. Help them notice how technology can support positive change.
• Think about sustainability: Invite students to reflect on how digital tools use energy and why responsible innovation includes caring for the environment. Small conversations can spark long-term awareness.
• Ask questions with intention: Guide students to ask how a tool works, what it can teach them, and what trade-offs might exist. Curiosity helps students become mindful, critical thinkers and empowered tech users.

A healthier relationship with technology begins with awareness and balance. Ready to help students explore how innovation and responsibility can work together? Preview the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Exploring the environmental impact of A.I. use, where students learn to think critically, understand impact, and strengthen the values that guide their decisions.

Colleges are seeing a shift towards enrollment in A.I. majors as students look towards their future

The Gist: A.I. is becoming one of the fastest-growing academic interests on college campuses. Universities across the United States now offer new majors and programs focused on A.I., and enrollment in these programs is increasing quickly. While computer science programs are seeing some drops in enrollment, A.I. programs are filling up as students respond to a changing job market and new opportunities. 

What to Know: According to a Handshake report, 62% of college seniors in the class of 2025 expressed concern about the impact of generative AI on their job prospects, so it makes sense they want to understand how A.I. tools work. Others might hope to understand how A.I. can benefit fields like medicine, biology, public policy, or education. Whatever the situation, students recognize that A.I. is a major factor in future careers and want to be prepared. Programs at schools such as MIT and the University of California, San Diego report A.I. as one of their most popular majors, with hundreds of students enrolling.

Even with this excitement, students are also navigating uncertainty. Some are unsure about traditional computing jobs due to recent changes in the tech industry. In fact, 25% of computer science majors said they feel pessimistic about their job prospects. Others feel pressure to keep up with rapid technological growth. All of this makes it even more important for students to build strong skills in critical thinking, communication, digital well-being, and responsible decision-making. Technical knowledge alone is not enough to thrive in an A.I.-powered world.

TSI’s Take: Interest in A.I. is helping students imagine new possibilities for their futures, and the excitement around these programs shows how quickly the world is changing. When students learn to approach technology with confidence, balance, and strong character, they are better prepared for whatever path they choose. Here are a few ways to help students stay grounded and thoughtful as they explore an A.I.-driven world:

• Build your whole skill set: Encourage students to strengthen their communication, creativity, and teamwork skills while they learn about technology. These human strengths help them stand out and stay adaptable in any field.
• Practice healthy digital habits: Invite students to notice how much time and energy they spend engaging with A.I. tools. Support them as they create routines that protect their well-being and keep them focused on what matters most.
• Explore different careers: Encourage students to look beyond traditional tech pathways and discover how A.I. shows up in fields like healthcare, law, business, art, and public service. When they see the wide range of opportunities where A.I. plays a role, they can make more informed decisions about the futures that excite them most.

When we empower students to understand that many industries are not using A.I. to replace people, but rather help people work smarter, students are better prepared for their futures. Ready to help students understand how to team up with A.I. to fuel their success? Preview the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Exploring career paths and the impact of A.I. on jobs.

ChatGPT introduces group chats, meaning new digital decisions for students

The Gist: OpenAI has launched a new feature that allows people to use ChatGPT in group conversations. Up to twenty people can join a shared chat and collaborate with the A.I. tool. This turns ChatGPT into a social space where students can plan, create, and gather information together. While this feature can support teamwork and creativity, it also raises important questions about privacy and healthy online behavior.

What to Know: The new group chat feature allows users to invite others, create short profiles, and ask ChatGPT to join a conversation when needed. Because the tool can participate in group settings, students may begin using it for school projects, club planning, or brainstorming sessions. This creates exciting opportunities for collaboration, but it also means students must think critically about using the tool ethically and continue to be careful about what information they share and how it is used.

Group chats often feel casual, which makes it easy to forget about privacy settings, audience awareness, and the expectations of the group. Students should understand that messages in a shared chat can be seen by many people and that A.I. tools learn from the content they receive. 

While this new feature might make group projects, brainstorming sessions, or study sessions easier, it’s also a teaching opportunity to remind students of the importance of responsible tech use that aligns with their school’s A.I. policies. Educators can weave in discussions about understanding the long-term impact of digital choices to empower students to learn, create, and lead with integrity if they choose to use this new feature with friends.

TSI’s Take: ChatGPT group chats reflect a growing trend in technology. Students are communicating and creating in digital spaces where A.I. is an active participant. Rather than focusing solely on the new feature, we can help students build the skills that support healthy and responsible communication both online and offline. When students interact with A.I. with awareness, clarity, and respect, they strengthen the character skills that can positively impact their learning and well-being.

Here are a few strategies to share with students if they choose to explore this new tool.

• Share with care: Encourage students to think about what information feels safe and appropriate to share in group settings. A brief moment of reflection helps protect their privacy and that of their friends.
• Communicate with clarity: Invite students to consider how their words shape the tone of a shared space, both online and offline. Clear and respectful messages create positive collaboration and support strong group dynamics.
• Choose when to involve A.I.: Guide students to decide when A.I. can support group work and when personal conversations or independent thinking may be the better choice. This builds confidence and thoughtful decision-making.

A healthier digital experience begins with intention and understanding. Ready to help students build confidence in group communication and online collaboration? Preview the #WinAtSocial Lesson, Navigating all things group chat drama, where students learn to communicate clearly, protect their well-being, and lead with character in every digital space.

The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in equipping students, families, and educators with modern life skills to impact learning, well-being, and students’ futures. Through #WinAtSocial, our interactive, peer-to-peer learning platform, we integrate teacher PD, family resources, student voice insights, and more to empower entire school communities to make positive choices online and offline. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach essential skills while capturing student voice and actionable insights for educators. These insights help educators maintain a healthy school culture, foster high-impact teaching, and build meaningful relationships with families. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips students authentically, enabling our solution to increase classroom participation and improve student-teacher relationships. Through our one-of-a-kind lesson development process, we create lessons for a variety of core and elective classes, incorporating timely topics such as social media, A.I., screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in supporting student health, happiness, and academic success.