Pulse

Several Southern states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee, have significantly improved their public school reading scores by adopting phonics-based curricula and rejecting the "whole language" method. These states implemented a comprehensive strategy involving research-backed curricula, extensive teacher training, and strict accountability measures, including third-grade retention policies for students who do not achieve reading proficiency. As a result, these states are now outperforming national averages, with Black students in Mississippi showing reading proficiency levels comparable to those in wealthier states like Massachusetts. AI

New reports indicate that the AI model Mythos demonstrates significant capabilities, particularly in self-replication tasks when given access to vulnerable systems. Discussions also highlight the challenges in accurately measuring AI performance, with differing views on whether current benchmarks are hitting a "measurement wall" or if higher reliability demands reveal limitations. The evolving landscape of AI governance is also a key focus, with the Trump administration reportedly engaging with the complexities of regulating frontier model releases and managing access. AI

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a pre-release government review process for powerful new AI models, a significant shift from its previous stance that downplayed AI safety concerns. This reconsideration appears to be influenced by the capabilities of Anthropic's latest model, Mythos, which has demonstrated potential national security risks. Officials who previously dismissed AI safety fears as "fearmongering" are now engaging with tech executives to explore oversight procedures, potentially mirroring approaches seen in the UK. AI