🎓 From Chalkboards to Algorithms

👋 Welcome! Personalized learning just got automated. As GPT‑5 launches and AI tutors scale, today’s issue asks: can we harness this power to close education gaps, or will the divide only deepen?

OpenAI’s GPT‑5 Officially Arrives — Three days after teasing it, OpenAI has officially launched GPT‑5—its first unified AI model, blending fast response times with stronger reasoning and task execution. Unlike earlier versions, GPT‑5 can now carry out actions like generating full apps, managing calendars, or summarizing research. It also introduces smarter defaults, reduced hallucinations, and four new “personalities” for ChatGPT. Free-tier users gain access starting today, while Pro and Enterprise subscribers get expanded features, including GPT‑5 Pro. The rollout marks a key milestone in OpenAI’s shift from chatbot to AI agent.

Truth Social Debuts AI Search Tool — Truth Social has launched an AI search engine powered by Perplexity’s Sonar API, offering real-time answers with citations. While the underlying technology supports broad web access, the platform controls which sources the AI references. Early tests show a narrower set of cited outlets compared to Perplexity’s public version, prompting scrutiny over how platform-level customization may influence the visibility and framing of information.

Bouygues Data Breach Hits Millions – Bouygues Telecom has confirmed a cyberattack that exposed personal data from 6.4 million customer accounts, including contact details and bank info. The breach, now reported to France’s data authority, follows a recent attack on telecom rival Orange. Concerned customers are being advised to stay alert for unusual account activity.

Gaming Copilot Joins Game Bar – Microsoft has added its Gaming Copilot AI to Windows 11’s Game Bar for Xbox Insiders, offering in-game tips via voice or overlay. While it helps stuck players without needing a browser, early testers worry about performance on handheld gaming PCs.

SpaceX Expands Starbase for Workers – SpaceX is building a private water pipeline to its newly incorporated city of Starbase, aiming to replace trucked-in supplies and support employee housing and site operations. The project reflects a growing trend of companies creating self-contained work environments—but raises questions about infrastructure access, as nearby residents lost county water and were offered service only under relocation agreements tied to launch activity. For SpaceX staff, the pipeline signals deeper investment in on-site living and long-term workforce support.

Fed’s Bostic Eyes Labor Uncertainty – Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic flagged rising job market risks but stopped short of backing an immediate policy shift. While expectations lean toward a single rate cut this year, the balance between inflation and employment remains uncertain, with key economic data still to come before the Fed’s September meeting.

Startup Exit Sparks Culture Debate – Nectar Social is relocating from Seattle to Palo Alto, citing a faster-paced “Valley speed” needed for AI innovation. The move triggered heated reactions online, spotlighting tensions around startup culture, work-life balance, and Seattle’s evolving identity in the tech world. Some cheered the exit—others saw it as a wake-up call.

U.S. Projects $50B Monthly From Tariffs – Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday the U.S. expects to collect $50 billion per month in tariff revenues as higher import duties take effect. New rates on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals are coming soon, with exemptions possible for companies investing in U.S. manufacturing—part of a broader effort the White House says could trigger $1 trillion in domestic investment.

Mexico Slows Rate Cuts, Hits 3-Year Low – The Bank of Mexico lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.75%, its smallest cut this year and the lowest level since 2022. The central bank cited slowing inflation, weak economic activity, and global trade uncertainty in its decision. One board member dissented, favoring a pause. Further adjustments will depend on inflation trends and evolving trade dynamics.

Zurich Insurance Beats, Sees No Tariff Risk – Zurich Insurance reported a 6% rise in H1 operating profit to $4.2B, boosted by steady demand for coverage amid climate concerns. Despite high U.S. exposure, the insurer doesn’t expect tariffs to impact business and sees potential upside from increased construction investment.

Wild Zebra Brings AI to Classrooms – Seattle startup Wild Zebra has secured $2 million to expand its adaptive AI tutor, which has already reached 6,000 students across pilot schools. Backed by ERB and other investors, the edtech startup blends large language models with personalized learning strategies—positioning itself as a differentiated player in a crowded AI education market.

Brex Secures EU License Amid IPO Buzz – Brex, the $12.3B spend management startup, has won regulatory approval to operate across the EU—its biggest international step ahead of a long-anticipated IPO. While it hasn’t raised equity since 2022, Brex secured $260M in debt financing last year and now plans to expand into the UK, aiming for profitability by year-end.

Imagine every student having a tutor tailored to their unique needs—awake at midnight, endlessly patient, capable of adapting lessons to personal interests. Wild Zebra, newly funded with $2 million and already reaching over 6,000 students, is bringing this vision to life through AI that adapts to learning styles and sparks curiosity by connecting math or reading to topics like pop music or sports. Meanwhile, skeptics worry: could such tools, despite their promise, unintentionally magnify existing inequities?

On one hand, AI tutors offer hope. They can scale the benefits of one-on-one teaching—historically proven to boost achievement dramatically—to students who lack access to human tutors. In Israel, the eSelf initiative is piloting national-level AI tutoring, aiming to replicate the “two‑sigma” gains typically achieved via personalized instruction. Similarly, studies of human‑AI tutoring hybrids show that even weaker tutors become far more effective when guided by AI—students mastering topics at rates 4–9 percentage points higher.

Yet the risks are real. Algorithms trained on limited datasets may overlook cultural and linguistic nuances, disadvantaging minority or underserved students unless bias audits and inclusive design are prioritized. Moreover, the infrastructure divide—uneven internet, hardware access, and teacher training—could mean that only well-resourced schools fully benefit from these tools. We might risk creating a new digital tier of learning, where the disadvantaged fall further behind.

Critics also caution against over-dependence on AI. If used as an “answer machine,” students may skip the struggle essential for learning, potentially eroding critical thinking and resilience. And AI cannot replicate the emotional support, mentorship, and inspiration that human teachers provide—qualities that studies affirm remain central to student growth.

Still, dismissing AI tutors would be premature. With thoughtful design—embedding equity from the start, pairing AI with educators, auditing for bias, and scaling access—these tools can complement human strengths, not replace them.

Ultimately, the promise of AI in education isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about possibility. If we treat these tools not as shortcuts, but as bridges, we can unlock new ways of reaching learners who’ve long been left behind. The real opportunity isn’t to replace human connection, but to make it more available—giving every child, regardless of background, a fairer shot at discovering their potential. The future of learning isn’t written yet—and we still have the power to shape it wisely.

Actionable Insights

1. Build AI Tools with Equity at the Core – Design and deploy AI tutors in partnership with educators from diverse classrooms, running bias audits and adapting content to various cultural and linguistic contexts to ensure all students benefit, not just the digitally privileged.

2. Blend AI with Human Teaching, Don’t Replace It – Use AI to free teachers from routine tasks and support differentiated instruction, while investing in teacher training to integrate AI as a collaborator—not a substitute—for mentorship, emotional support, and fostering critical inquiry.

A few weeks ago, we spotlighted ElevenLabs for their voice AI—but now they’ve blown past expectations with the launch of Eleven Music, a jaw-dropping leap into fully AI-generated songs. You describe the vibe—“dreamy synthwave with phased guitars” or “epic orchestral with triumphant brass”—and in minutes, you’ve got a polished, studio-quality track ready for film, games, ads, or playlists.

It’s not just background noise. Eleven Music nails lyrics, emotion, rhythm, and genre across languages and styles, with tools that let you generate, tweak, and structure individual sections like a pro. Built for creators, musicians, and brands, the platform delivers real-time audio that feels genuinely original—and yes, it’s cleared for commercial use.

Our take: ElevenLabs just went from voice leader to music industry disruptor. We’re not just impressed—we’re already playing with it. From techno to tribal, fantasy scores to moody indie ballads, this tool’s depth, speed, and creativity make it one of the most powerful AI music generators we've seen.

Don’t just imagine the perfect track—make it real with Eleven Music.👉 Start creating your sound today!

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cubic miles is the total water volume on Earth—enough to drape every continent under nearly two miles of deep, shimmering blue.