👋 Welcome! Today we’re connecting the dots between collapsing test scores, AI’s double edge in learning, and what it means for the future of work. Read on to see why it matters for your career!
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AI & TECH
AI-Guided Cameras Enable Solo Surgery – In Santiago, Chile, a surgeon performed a gallbladder removal alone with help from an AI-guided robotic camera that tracked instruments and adjusted views automatically. The breakthrough marks a key step toward surgical automation. With the surgical robot market projected to hit $64.4B by 2034, AI-assisted healthcare could redefine operating rooms and medical training.
Making AI Responses Reproducible – Thinking Machines Lab unveiled research on reducing randomness in large language models. By addressing how GPU kernels process inference, the lab aims to make AI responses reproducible—improving reliability for researchers, startups, and reinforcement learning. The breakthrough could mark a turning point in building more consistent, trustworthy AI systems.
Amazon Eyes AR for Work and Play – Amazon is developing two sets of AR glasses: “Jayhawk” for consumers with one-eye displays and “Amelia” for delivery drivers, aimed at boosting efficiency. Consumer glasses could launch in 2026–27, while the driver-focused version may debut in 2026. Both efforts put Amazon in direct competition with Meta’s upcoming Hypernova AR product.
Global Dubbing Feature Goes Live – YouTube has rolled out its multi-language audio feature to all creators, letting videos be dubbed with AI-powered translations that replicate tone and emotion. The update helps creators expand reach with localized audio and thumbnails worldwide.
CAREER & WORK
Senior Scores Hit Record Low – New federal test results show over 30% of U.S. 12th graders lack basic reading skills—the lowest performance in three decades. Math and science scores also slid, sparking concerns about how well young people will adapt to a workforce transformed by AI, automation, and global competition. Educators warn urgent interventions are needed to reverse the decline.
Professors Push Back on AI Fears – University of Washington computer science leaders say the “sky is not falling” for graduates, despite AI disruption and layoffs. Professors argue demand remains high for skilled engineers who can harness AI tools. Amazon and Microsoft continue hiring, while students are reminded: those who use AI best—not AI itself—will define the future job market.
Microsoft Tightens Hybrid Work Rules – Microsoft will require employees to work in-office three days per week starting 2026, beginning with Puget Sound and Redmond staff. The staged rollout will expand nationwide and then globally. Leaders say the policy balances flexibility with collaboration, though it mirrors stricter return-to-office mandates from peers like Google, Meta, and Amazon.
ECONOMY & FINANCE
Bitcoin Buyers Face Market Pullback – Shares in companies hoarding bitcoin have plunged to multi-month lows as crypto hype cools. Strategy and Japan’s Metaplanet both tumbled sharply from summer peaks, while smaller firms saw even steeper drops. Analysts say leveraged exposure magnifies losses, spooking retail investors and drying up capital access for these bitcoin-treasury players.
Cruz Proposes AI Sandbox Plan – Senator Ted Cruz unveiled a bill allowing AI firms to seek two-year exemptions from certain federal regulations, aiming to boost U.S. competitiveness against China. Supporters say it encourages innovation, while critics argue it risks public safety. The proposal revives tensions over state versus federal authority in shaping America’s fast-evolving AI economy.
Microsoft’s Smith Rallies Against Taxes – MS President Brad Smith warned Washington’s tax-first agenda threatens economic growth, urging businesses and nonprofits to push back. At Seattle’s Chamber meeting, he pledged Microsoft funding for advocacy, arguing strong communities depend on strong companies and that economic development must return to the state’s political priorities.
VC & FUNDING
Born Raises $15M for Social AI – Berlin-based startup Born secured $15M to expand Pengu, its AI-powered virtual pet app designed for shared play and co-parenting experiences. Backed by Accel and Tencent, Born aims to combat loneliness by making AI companions more collaborative, social, and emotionally engaging for young users worldwide.
Replit Reaches $3B Valuation – Coding platform Replit raised $250M at a $3B valuation after annualized revenue surged to $150M, up from $2.8M last year. Led by Prysm Capital with backing from Google and Amex Ventures, the funding highlights Replit’s momentum as a leading hub for AI-powered software development.
BIG THINK
AI’s Double-Edged Role in the Skills Divide
The latest federal data reveal a troubling trend: more than 30% of U.S. 12th graders lack basic reading skills—the lowest in decades—while math and science scores also decline. Choices in how AI is adopted in education may have fueled this divide. Experts point out a widening gap in learning behaviours—students increasingly favor passive AI-generated responses over building their own critical thinking.
Overexposure to algorithmic feeds and reliance on digital crutches have encouraged skimming and shortcut learning rather than deep comprehension, effectively amplifying educational inequities. Yet AI isn’t inherently detrimental. When thoughtfully deployed, it shows real promise in enhancing engagement and learning outcomes. An experimental AI tutor delivered significantly greater learning gains than traditional active-learning classes, with students both more motivated and more successful in mastering material.
Personalization is emerging as the key: platforms like Preply combine AI-driven customization with human tutors to maintain social interaction—a setup that boosts progress and learner satisfaction. Policy responses are beginning to reflect this nuanced reality. Recent U.S. federal guidance encourages schools to adopt AI tools—not as replacements for teachers, but as augmenters that personalize instructions, offer career advising, and provide tailored learning pathways, while ensuring ethical implementation and human oversight.
The central task ahead is clear: educators and policymakers must resist the allure of passive automation and instead steer AI toward active, scaffolding roles in learning. The goal is not to hand students easy answers, but to equip them with tools that challenge, support, and deepen their understanding. If done right, AI might shift from widening the divide to bridging it.
Actionable Insights
Prioritize Active Learning in AI Adoption—implement AI tools that emphasize guided tutoring and feedback-first systems—avoid passive content delivery that discourages deeper engagement.
Design AI to Spark Critical Thinking—build features that prompt reflection, scaffold complex tasks, and personalize challenges instead of offering instant, easy answers.
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Entry Level Data Scientist | Full Time | NYC, NY | Hybrid
Front End UI Engineer | Full Time | Phoenix, AZ | In Person
Global Business Development Manager | Part Time | Year-round | Hybrid
Network Automation Engineer | Full Time | Columbia, SC | In Person
Epic Professional Billing Analyst III | Full Time | Boston, MA | Hybrid
IT Senior Software Engineer | Full Time | Erie, PA | In Person
Python Developer (Gen AI + Java) | Full Time | Mississauga, ON, Canada | Hybrid
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THE NUMBER:
years marks the age of The King’s School, Canterbury, the world’s oldest continually operating school — older than algebra, paper money, and the arrival of zero in Europe.
WISDOM:
“I’m concerned about a better world. I’m concerned about justice; I’m concerned about brotherhood; I’m concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about that, he can never advocate violence.”