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Trump Signs Executive Order To Bring AI into K-12 Schools
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
President Donald Trump is signing a new executive order today to bring artificial intelligence into classrooms across the U.S.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Trump signs executive order to promote AI in K-12 schools.
- New task force will oversee AI classroom integration efforts.
- Federal grants will prioritize AI teacher training and student programs.
According to USA Today , the order requires the Departments of Education and Labor to promote AI learning in K-12 schools by funding teacher training, creating certification programs for high school students, and expanding apprenticeships in AI-related jobs. It also encourages states to offer more AI courses and supports research into how AI can be used in education.
The Washington Post previously reported that a new White House Task Force on AI Education will be created, chaired by Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer will join the task force. They will help develop partnerships with tech companies and schools to provide AI resources and launch a “Presidential AI Challenge” to encourage student innovation.
AI is “driving innovation across industries, enhancing productivity, and reshaping the way we live and work,” the draft order said, as reported by USA Today.
Both political parties agree on the importance of teaching AI skills, especially to stay competitive with countries like China. A bipartisan report from December 2024 stated, “K-12 educators need resources to promote AI literacy,” but also warned that its use must respect labor and anti discrimination laws, as reported by USA Today.
Despite shared interest, there’s division over federal involvement. “AI will likely revolutionize the way students learn, but the federal government doesn’t need to be involved,” a Republican summary of a recent committee hearing stated, as reported by USA Today
The initiative follows Trump’s recent signing of another order to dismantle the Education Department, which still exists but now operates with half its staff. A court hearing is scheduled for April 25 regarding lawsuits over these cuts, as reported by USA Today.
Education Secretary McMahon, who recently confused “AI” with “A.1. sauce” during a speech, will play a key role in overseeing the new programs, as noted by USA Today.
Alongside the U.S. initiative, China is also investing heavily in AI education at the university level . Top institutions such as Peking University, Renmin University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have announced expanded undergraduate programs focused on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
China aims to lead globally in AI by 2035, with new undergraduate spots for AI education and nationwide school programs starting from age six. Initiatives like AI self-study rooms and smart tablets are reshaping how students learn, offering affordable, tech-driven alternatives to traditional tutoring.
This academic shift highlights how global powers are racing to build a future workforce rooted in AI.
Image by Syed F Hashemi, from Unsplash
Your Cat’s Microchip Could Spread Malware, Researchers Warn
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
A cat’s microchip could carry malware that infects systems during scans, spreading through RFID networks without needing an internet connection, researchers warn.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- RFID pet tags can carry malware that infects backend systems.
- Attacks spread offline, needing only a scan, with no internet needed.
- Infected tags can spread across supply chains and industries.
Cybernews reports that researchers from Vrije University in Amsterdam have issued a strange warning: the microchip in your pet could one day be used to deliver malware.
RFID tags, commonly implanted in pets or attached to collars, contain basic information like ID numbers and contact details. Veterinary professionals use RFID scanners to retrieve medical records instantly. Experts now warn that the same technology could become a cyberattack tool.
A typical RFID tag holds about 1 kilobit of data, which is tiny. Still, researchers showed that this small space can carry malicious code that targets weak spots in the systems reading the tag.
According to Cybernews, the attack begins when a hacker gains access to the RFID system’s backend, which manages tag information. During a write operation, they inject malware onto a tag. That tag could be on a pet, a shipping crate, or a medical device. When it’s scanned by another RFID reader, the malware is triggered and spreads.
Since RFID systems are used in retail, hospitals, toll booths, warehouses, and even government buildings, the risk extends far beyond the vet’s office.
Cybernews reports that the malware doesn’t need an internet connection to spread. It moves between devices through direct contact, just like viruses spread through physical touch. It also doesn’t require emails, downloads, or any human interaction to propagate.
In one scenario, a supermarket receives a pallet with infected tags. The warehouse system reads and writes back the malware onto the tags. As containers move to other stores, they carry the virus with them. A similar attack could happen in a hospital or secure government site, as noted by Cybernews.
To prove it’s possible, researchers even built working malware to test RFID infections. They warn that “RFID phishing” (tricking people into scanning bad tags), “RFID wardriving” (hunting for weak RFID readers), and “RFID honeypots” (bait systems used to catch hackers) are all becoming real threats.
“People will never have the luxury of blindly trusting the data in their cat again,” the researchers said, as reported by Cybernews.
