Harness the Power of Storm by Stanford
And we also exploring the ethical implications of using AI in School Security.
Welcome!
This week, we’re diving into a powerful AI tool that transforms research and collaboration, discussing the ethical implications of AI in school security systems, and sharing thought-provoking reads to deepen your understanding of AI in education. Let’s continue empowering educators and librarians with tools and insights for success!
NotebookLM Deep Dive into this week’s newsletter:
AI Tool of the Week: Storm by Stanford
What is Storm?
Storm is a cutting-edge research prototype developed by Stanford University, designed to revolutionize how we gather and organize information. By leveraging interactive knowledge curation, Storm enables users to generate structured, Wikipedia-like reports on their chosen topics, making it a powerful tool for educators, librarians, and students alike.
How Storm Works
Storm uses advanced AI to support knowledge curation, enabling users to explore and organize information interactively. With its ability to synthesize large volumes of data, Storm helps create detailed and accurate overviews on virtually any topic.
Features:
Knowledge Curation: Get a comprehensive, Wikipedia-like report on your topic, curated through AI.
Idea Organization: Generate mind maps and structured outlines to organize your ideas efficiently.
Interactive Collaboration: Collaborate with others in real-time to refine your research or project.
Integration: Seamlessly connects with tools like Google Workspace for enhanced productivity.
How Students Can Use Storm
Research Projects: Create detailed reports for research assignments, saving hours of manual curation.
Group Projects: Use Storm’s collaborative features to brainstorm ideas, assign tasks, and synthesize findings.
Presentation Prep: Organize your research into structured outlines to streamline the creation of slides or visual aids.
How Teachers Can Use Storm
Lesson Planning: Storm’s knowledge curation capabilities can help educators quickly pull together resources and materials for their classes.
Professional Development: Teachers can use Storm to synthesize ideas from workshops, share them with colleagues, and implement them in classrooms.
Cross-Curricular Projects: Collaborate with other educators to develop interdisciplinary projects, integrating data and resources seamlessly.
How Librarians Can Use Storm
Resource Guides: Create topic-specific guides for students or educators, making research more accessible and engaging.
Library Programming: Use Storm to organize and plan events like research workshops or themed library activities.
Collaboration with Teachers: Assist educators by curating resources that align with their curriculum needs.
Why Use Storm?
Storm empowers users by simplifying the research process and enhancing collaboration. Whether you’re working on a group project, developing a new lesson plan, or planning a library event, Storm’s capabilities streamline tasks and foster creativity.
Explore Storm here:
https://storm.genie.stanford.edu/
Ethics Corner: AI in School Security – Promise or Peril?
The integration of AI into school security systems has become a focal point of discussion, especially following recent incidents that highlight both the potential and pitfalls of such technology.
In January 2025, an AI-based weapon detection system at Antioch High School in Nashville failed to identify a firearm that was later used in a tragic shooting. This incident underscores concerns about the reliability of AI in critical security applications, raising questions about its effectiveness and the balance between innovation and safety.
Despite these challenges, many schools are investing in AI-driven security solutions. For instance, the Evolv Express system combines sensor technology with AI to distinguish between weapons and everyday items, allowing for a more seamless security process. However, the effectiveness and ethical implications of these systems remain subjects of debate.
The key ethical questions revolve around the balance between leveraging technology for safety and the potential for over-reliance on systems that may provide a false sense of security. How can schools ensure that these tools are effective without compromising trust? What measures should be in place to validate and monitor the performance of AI in such critical roles?
As educational institutions consider adopting AI for security, it's imperative to critically assess both the capabilities and limitations of these technologies. Engaging with all stakeholders—students, parents, educators, and security professionals—is essential to navigate the ethical landscape and implement solutions that genuinely enhance safety without unintended consequences.
Further Reading:
AI Reading List
This week’s AI Reading List ties into our Ethics Corner discussion, exploring the role of AI in security and its implications for schools and society:
"Artificial Intelligence in Education: Addressing Ethical Challenges in K-12 Classrooms"
This article discusses the benefits and ethical challenges of integrating AI into K-12 education, emphasizing the importance of preparing educators and students to navigate these complexities responsibly.
Read it here: National Center for Biotechnology Information"Teaching Privacy and Ethical Guardrails for the AI Imperative in Education"
This piece highlights the importance of human oversight in educational AI initiatives and discusses the need for ethical frameworks to protect student privacy.
Read it here: Public Interest Privacy Center"Ethical AI in Education: Balancing Privacy, Bias, and Technology"
An exploration of the ethical implications of AI in education, focusing on data privacy, algorithmic bias, and maintaining a human-centric approach to technology integration.
Read it here: Inspiroz
AI is reshaping education in exciting and sometimes challenging ways. Tools like Storm highlight the incredible potential of technology to transform research and collaboration, while discussions around AI in school security remind us of the ethical considerations we must navigate. By staying informed and critically evaluating these tools, we can harness AI’s power to empower both educators and students.
Thank you for joining this week’s conversation. Let’s continue exploring, learning, and innovating together!
Join The ISTE & SLJ Free Webinar: Everything AI in Education – March 17
Discover how artificial intelligence is reshaping classrooms, teacher preparation, and leadership in our upcoming free webinar. Join me and a panel of experts—including Victoria Thompson (author of Elevate Equity in Edtech), Vickie Echols (author of AI for School Leaders), and award-winning librarians Todd Burleson and Me—as we explore innovative approaches to using AI with students, streamlining educators’ task lists, and navigating ethical concerns in education. Moderated by Jean Darnell, Director of Library Science for Philadelphia Schools, this dynamic session is your chance to gain actionable insights and join the conversation on the future of education.