Another Crazy Day in AI: Google Expands Free Educational Resources to Reduce Teacher Workload

Hello, AI Enthusiasts.

Here’s something to read that won’t send you doomscrolling.

Google’s Gemini just became the quiet power behind Google Classroom. It won’t teach for you, but it might help you breathe easier while grading and planning.

Meanwhile, the Senate scrapped a proposed 10-year ban on state AI laws, clearing the way for local rules on safety, kids, and content protections.

And over at MIT, CIOs are done blaming the tools. The problem? Wishful thinking and misaligned teams.

Here's another crazy day in AI:

• Google Classroom adds free teaching tools

• Senate rejects AI regulation ban

• Leadership missteps in AI planning

• Some AI tools to try out

---

TODAY'S FEATURED ITEM: Google Expands Classroom Capabilities

Image Credit: Wowza (created with Ideogram)

What would your teaching look like if planning, grading, and differentiating support were a little less time-consuming?

Google has announced that Gemini in Classroom, their collection of over 30 educational tools, will now be available at no cost to all educators with Google Workspace for Education accounts, as part of Google's broader effort to support teachers in their daily work. Cinthya Mohr, Director of User Experience at Google for Education, shared this development in a recent post, detailing how these tools aim to transform both teaching preparation and student learning experiences by automating routine tasks while enhancing educational outcomes. Rather than replacing the role of the teacher, Gemini is positioned as a behind-the-scenes helper: assisting with lesson planning, content generation, tracking student progress, and giving students more ways to engage with learning materials.

After providing the target grade and topic, educators can get a first draft of a lesson plan and further refine it with the help of Gemini. They’ll also get suggestions for relevant videos and can generate a quiz or hook based on the lesson plan. | Source: Google

Here’s a closer look at what’s being introduced:

• Lesson Planning Assistance - Generate initial drafts of lesson plans, assignments, and rubrics based on grade level and subject matter, then modify them to fit specific classroom needs

• Interactive Student Resources - Create personalized study guides, practice quizzes, and AI-powered tutoring tools using classroom materials through integrated NotebookLM and Gems functionality

• Performance Analytics - Access dashboard insights that highlight which students might benefit from additional support and track progress against curriculum standards

• Enhanced Reading Tools - Develop custom reading materials, select from different engagement modes, and monitor comprehension levels through expanded Read Along capabilities

• Curriculum Alignment - Connect assignments directly to learning standards and view analytics on how students are meeting educational benchmarks

• Teacher Feedback - Pilot program participants report substantial time savings, particularly for routine tasks like creating assessment rubrics and differentiated materials

Here, an educator is creating a study guide students can chat with, including a podcast-style Audio Overview with NotebookLM, to help students prepare for a test. Educators can highlight the NotebookLM resource at the top of the Classwork page so they’re always available for extra practice, support and learning opportunities. | Source: Google

The announcement reflects ongoing discussions about how technology can best serve education without disrupting the fundamental relationships between teachers and students. Many educators spend considerable time on administrative tasks that, while necessary, take away from direct instruction and student interaction. These tools appear designed to handle some of that background work, potentially allowing teachers to focus more on the creative and relational aspects of their profession.

Here, a science teacher is tagging their assignment with learning standards, generating standard-specific rubrics, then viewing learning goals analytics to track student progress. | Source: Google

However, the practical impact will depend heavily on implementation and adoption patterns. Educational technology has a mixed track record when it comes to delivering promised efficiencies, and teachers are often cautious about new systems that might initially require more time to learn than they save. The success stories from early users are promising, but broader rollout will reveal whether these tools genuinely integrate well with existing teaching workflows or create new challenges to navigate. The fact that Google is offering these features at no additional cost removes one barrier to adoption, though the real test will be whether teachers find them genuinely useful in their daily practice rather than just another set of digital tools to manage.

Read the full blog here.

---

OTHER INTERESTING AI HIGHLIGHTS:

Senate Rejects AI Regulation Ban

/Billy Perrigo and Andrew R. Chow, Correspondents, on TIME

In a sweeping bipartisan move, the Senate voted 99–1 to remove a proposed 10-year ban on state-level AI regulation from President Trump’s major tax and spending bill. The tech industry, including companies like OpenAI and Google, had lobbied hard for the moratorium, arguing that a unified federal approach would prevent conflicting rules. However, lawmakers across the political spectrum rejected the idea as a power grab that would block states from enacting meaningful protections—particularly for children and creative industries. The rejection signals a growing appetite for accountability and local governance over emerging AI systems.

Read more here.

---

Leadership Missteps in AI Planning

/Laurianne McLaughlin, Senior Editor (Digital), and M. Shawn Read, Multimedia Editor, on MIT Sloan Management Review

At the 2025 MIT Sloan CIO Symposium, business and tech leaders shared frustrations around AI efforts that fall short of expectations. Many cited projects that stalled after the pilot stage or failed to deliver value due to unrealistic assumptions, poor communication, or lack of organizational alignment. Experts like George Westerman, Monica Caldas, and Hannah Mayer warned against underestimating the cultural shifts required for successful AI integration. Their takeaway: AI strategy isn’t just about tools—it’s about people, leadership, and long-term thinking.

Read more here.

---

SOME AI TOOLS TO TRY OUT:

• Songscription – Converts audio or MIDI into sheet music for any instrument.

• Cora – Screens emails, drafts replies, and summarizes your inbox.

• Glean – Automates tasks using your company’s knowledge base.

---

That’s a wrap on today’s Almost Daily craziness.

Catch us almost every day—almost! 😉

---

EXCITING NEWS:

The Another Crazy Day in AI newsletter is on LinkedIn!!!

Leveraging AI for Enhanced Content: As part of our commitment to exploring new technologies, we used AI to help curate and refine our newsletters. This enriches our content and keeps us at the forefront of digital innovation, ensuring you stay informed with the latest trends and developments.