Senators press Google on AI in schools, CareerVillage gets $10 million for its AI career coach, and more - AI in Education #72

In this edition, covering 20 to 22 October:

• US Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley asked Google what it knows about its AI tools' effects on children's mental health and learning.
• CareerVillage received a $10 million grant to expand its AI career coach.
• Pearson agreed to buy Workera for enterprise AI skills assessment and will reorganise into four business units.

Google and schools

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Josh Hawley sent Google CEO Sundar Pichai a letter asking what the company knows about its AI tools' effects on children's mental health and learning, and why AI features are on by default on some school devices. Senators' letter

Funding and companies

Pearson reported 5% underlying revenue growth for the first nine months of 2026, agreed to acquire Workera for enterprise AI skills assessment and will reorganise into four business units. CareerVillage received a multiyear $10 million grant from NextLadder Ventures to expand its Coach AI career guidance tool, and Straia raised a $3.1 million seed round led by Speedrun for an AI platform that helps colleges with student retention and advising. Pearson · CareerVillage · Straia

Teaching with AI

Microsoft and the Public Library Association launched an initiative to give US public library workers and patrons free AI literacy training. Packback launched AI Integrated Assignments, which lets college students work with AI while instructors see the drafts, prompts and reflections behind a submission. Oman's Ministry of Education and the British Council signed a letter of intent on responsible AI in education, including teacher training. Libraries · Packback · Oman and the UK