America’s history of civic engagement and community power

In the second installment of the Brookings series, Uprooted: Rediscovering American history, six new essays examine how grassroots organizing, social movements, and digital activism shape civic engagement and community power. Rashawn Ray and other Brookings experts and guest authors discuss how social movements allow citizens to pursue justice, promote practices that mature our democracy, and create pathways for equitable access, resources, and opportunities to thrive.

For more on civic engagement, tune in to the Brookings-led discussion on Capitol Hill with Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and James Lankford (R-OK) on the importance of civics education and democracy. Watch the event recording from June 16.

Will AI in education succeed? As the debate over AI in education continues, people are missing the complexity and inevitability of the current tech revolution. Brad Olsen and Jobin Thomas dig into the conditions under which past tech innovations in education have succeeded or failed.

5 lessons from teachers on the risks of anthropomorphic AI. Designed to mimic human behavior, AI chatbots and AI companions can foster emotional attachment and overtrust among young users, raising concerns among educators. Drawing on a conversation with Alberta Teachers’ Association executive officer Phil McRae, Rebecca Winthrop outlines five lessons from teachers who warn that such systems may expose students to emotional manipulation, among other risks.

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