GENERAL NEWS NEWS...
Finalists revealed for the Education Today Awards 2025
AI dependency could threaten children’s cognitive development
An AI expert has warned parents not to let their children use the newly launched Grok 4 or other top intelligent models as they can damage kids’ cognitive and critical thinking capabilities.
Devan Leos, former Disney star turned AI entrepreneur and CEO of Undetectable AI, a platform with over 15 million users, says Grok 4 is now the most intelligent model in the world, and, according to Elon Musk, “more intelligent than almost all graduate students in all disciplines simultaneously.”
The model released by Elon Musk’s AI company, xAI, shows capabilities far beyond previous versions.
The finalists for our 2025 awards are now live and we want to say a huge congratulations to everyone shortlisted. Now that the countdown to the Education Today Awards is officially underway, it’s shaping up to be an amazing event and we can’t wait to welcome you all.
Join us at the Riverbank Park Plaza Hotel, London on Friday 5 December.
You can find the full list of finalists at
educationtodayawards.co.uk/finalists-2025/
Devan warns that children’s cognitive development might be negatively affected and extensive AI usage will decrease independent thinking skills. This may become an acute issue due to continued high AI accessibility and increased model performance, encouraging students to rely on AI assistance as the aftermath of the pandemic learning gaps are still felt. He states: “AI dependency continues to threaten children’s cognitive development, and increasingly, young people are being forced to question their own thinking abilities in ways they never had to before.” The AI platform owner shows there’s a lot of variation in how AI affects different age groups. Most of the cognitive impact comes from a habit of outsourcing thinking, with the often-observed result of reduced problem-solving skills plus diminished creative thinking, with minimal long-term benefits. “These thinking problems are not driven by complex technological issues; they’re part of how AI is designed,” he explained. “Where children get their information from matters, because AI-generated answers and solutions are processed at lower cognitive depths than self-discovered knowledge.” Children’s reliance on AI continues to be on the rise because of easy access. “Just remember, no AI assistance is better than any AI assistance for developing minds,” Devan said. “However, if you are going to allow AI use, try to supervise and limit it to specific tasks.”
E.ON’s New Energy Academy celebrates first anniversary
To mark its first anniversary, E.ON’s New Energy Academy programme welcomed England’s most capped footballer, Fara Williams MBE, to lead a green skills workshop, empowering students to become future changemakers. Since launching in 2024, the New Energy
Academy has supported thousands of teachers across the UK with curriculum-linked resources that make sustainability and green careers accessible and inspiring for 11–14-year-olds. Developed in partnership with practising teachers, the programme offers ready-to-use assemblies, PSHE lessons and interactive activities that build essential skills like teamwork, creativity and problem- solving – while introducing students to careers beyond traditional STEM, including AI, data science, marketing and energy. As part of its anniversary celebrations, E.ON hosted a green skills workshop at Wembley High Technical College – the winners of the
4
www.education-today.co.uk
Trailblazing Heroes competition. The competition asked students to enter by creating a post of a trailblazer who inspires them, and to identify the skills that the trailblazer has. Winners had Fara Williams MBE join students for a day of team building, Q&A and hands-on challenges from the New Energy Academy resources. Fara Williams MBE said: “It was incredible to spend time with the students and see how excited they are about working together, solving problems and thinking about their futures. The skills they’re building now – like communication, teamwork and adaptability – are exactly the same skills that helped me throughout my football career and will help them succeed in any career they choose.” By equipping children with practical tools and insights, the New Energy Academy aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, while also supporting wellbeing and resilience. Over the past year, students across the country have taken part in challenges like designing sustainable cities and pitching green ideas – building creativity, teamwork and resilience. At the launch event at Nottingham Forest Stadium, Fara Williams MBE joined pupils from The Becket School, Nottingham, to explore what it means to be a trailblazer in sport, sustainability or beyond. Following the event, three out of five students said they felt they could work in the energy sector.
October 2025
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
