Private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, founded 1746
A mix of developments in education tech coverage shows parents and teachers weighing AI and device policies, from New York City's DOE AI plan feedback to classroom device bans and AI tool adoption in schools; reports contrast parental concerns with educators’ perceived benefits, while researchers assess effects of ability grouping in maths.
Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences has voted to limit undergraduate A grades to 20% of a class, with room for four additional A’s in smaller courses, starting fall 2027. The policy also shifts honors comparisons from GPA to average percentile rank. The measure aims to curb grade inflation after data showed a large share of grades were A-range in recent years, with debate echoing in other elite universities.
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with former President Donald Trump over an IRS controversy. The deal bars audits of Trump, his family, and affiliates for existing tax matters and establishes an $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund for allies; the arrangement covers only existing audits, not future ones.
Republican-led states rebrand June as values-focused months such as Nuclear Family Month, Fidelity Month and Strong Families Month. The moves aim to counter Pride Month while supporters argue they celebrate traditional values. Governors defend their proclamations as affirming family structures; LGBTQ advocates say the changes undermine Pride. The debate reflects a broader cultural clash as Pride Month events continue.
El Niño has formed in the Pacific and is expected to strengthen through late 2026, with a 63% chance of reaching a very strong level. Forecasts warn of hotter global temperatures and extreme weather, while impacts will vary by region. Scientists urge preparation and climate action as nations monitor evolving conditions.
Carlo Ginzburg has died at 87. The Italian historian is remembered for The Cheese and the Worms, a microhistorical study of a 16th-century miller, which recast power dynamics and belief through inquisitorial records. His work shaped modern historiography, influence spanning postwar and postcolonial contexts.
GPTZero, the AI-detection startup founded by Princeton graduate Edward Tian, has been acquired by Superhuman. The deal values GPTZero at over $88 million, with 19 million+ users and $30 million in annual recurring revenue; the integration will bolster authenticity tools across Superhuman’s platform while keeping GPTZero as a stand-alone product.
Northwestern University researchers find that TikTok’s recommendation engine responds to negative feedback but gradually reverts if users repeatedly flag content; a finding based on cloned accounts and controlled signals shows the “not interested” button reduces unwanted content by about 84%, but the effect fades with brief re-engagement.