👋 {{ first_name | human }},
We are thrilled to present our first newsletter featuring an updated look and feel. Enjoy this week’s offerings, and thank you for your continued support. We have opened up the comments on our posts, so why not keep the conversation going?
📚 Knowledge builders
DeepSeek → DeepSeek is a Chinese AI company gaining attention for creating powerful yet affordable AI tools. What makes DeepSeek stand out is its efficient approach to building AI. While major tech companies spend vast amounts on AI development, DeepSeek has managed to create advanced reasoning models using significantly fewer resources. This challenges the notion that only the largest companies can lead in AI and that AI can only improve by investing large sums of money. However, this model has faced criticism for censorship in the answers it provides.
Copilot vs Copilot365 → What’s the difference? Copilot is a general-purpose AI assistant integrated into Windows 11. It is designed for personal use and has a user interface to match this aesthetic. You are using this if you log into Copilot with a personal email.
Copilot365 is an enterprise-focused version of Copilot. It’s integrated not only with Microsoft 365 apps but also with additional business tools such as Microsoft Teams and Dynamics 365. It is designed for business and institutions. You are using this if you log into copilot with a school/business email.
Copilot: The personal user interface.
Copilot365: The enterprise user interface.
🤖 Industry updates
AI Glasses and the deaf community → Advancements in AI discussions often focus on economic growth and productivity, sometimes overlooking individual impact. However, these glasses exemplify how technology, when tailored to individual needs, can be both empowering and transformative. I haven't encountered a more compelling example of AI serving as a force for good than this.
ChatGPT releases o3-mini → Despite the ethical consideration one must make if they want to use DeepSeek AI, a positive that it has likely caused is enabling all users of ChatGPT to access their new o3-mini reasoning model. While it is unlikely to have immediate benefits for educators in terms of outputs, it is faster and cheaper than the previous models, and may hallucinate less when it comes to STEM areas. To access the new model, click the ‘Reason’ button in the context window.
Despite all this incredible technology, the naming conventions of AI tools from the biggest tech companies does nothing to encourage its use, particularly for those with little knowledge of those models. Clearer, more intuitive naming could go a long way in helping educators, developers, and businesses better understand the capabilities and applications of these powerful AI systems.
✨ Fresh prompts
Respond to emails in a professional manner → While I find it incomprehensible that parents have access to the emails of teachers, it is certainly the case in certain schools. Here is a prompt to help you get that reply out quickly. This is definitely one to use with enterprise protection turned on.
As a teacher, you are tasked with replying to a parent's email regarding [PROBLEM]. You must compose a formal email that is no longer than [NUMBER OF WORDS] words. Your response should address the parent's concerns comprehensively, clarifying any misunderstandings and providing [SOLUTION]. The email should exhibit empathy and professionalism, outline the steps being taken to resolve the issue, and include any pertinent information about school policies or procedures. Ensure that the tone is respectful and that the language is clear and accessible, while maintaining a focus on fostering a collaborative relationship between the school and the parent.🤘 Bonus Content
Thanks for making it this far. As well as delivering you updates around the use of AI in schools, we think it is important that we play more of a role in delivering high-quality resources to school leaders and teachers. Recently, the DfE released guidance on GenAI product safety expectation. We have distilled this guidance into a poster that is free to download using the link below.
As ever, thanks for reading, and keep on prompting! Mr A 🦾
