Fair Fun, Chatbot Truths, and AI's Latest for Your Family!

From copyright settlements to new safety features, catch up on how AI is shaping our world – and your family's – this week.

Author

Warren Schuitema
September 08, 2025

Hey there, fellow parents!

This past weekend, we traded screens for screams (the good kind!) at the county fair. Picture it: the sticky sweetness of cotton candy, the clang of carnival games, and that exhilarating buzz in the air. My oldest, bless her daredevil heart, was practically dragging me to the wildest rides, while my younger one clung happily to the whimsical spin of the motorcycle carousel. It was a beautiful reminder of how easy it is to get lost in the moment when we intentionally step away from the digital and dive into shared experiences.

It made me think about how we choose to spend our precious family time. In a world increasingly dominated by digital distractions, those real-life, belly-laugh-inducing moments are gold. Want to keep that fair feeling going? Try a "backyard carnival" this week! Set up a few simple games – beanbag toss, ring toss with empty bottles – make some popcorn, and put on your favorite upbeat music. Simple, right? But the memories? Priceless.

Speaking of our increasingly digital world, let's talk about the AI headlines making waves this week and what they mean for our families.

Trending AI News: What Parents Need to Know This Week

The world of AI is moving at lightning speed, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been happening and why it matters to you:

  • Summary: AI company Anthropic agreed to a massive $1.5 billion settlement with authors who claimed their copyrighted books were used to train the Claude chatbot without permission. This sets a major precedent, even though a judge initially ruled the training itself was "fair use."

  • Why parents should know: This is a big step towards ensuring creators are compensated when their work helps build AI. It means future AI models might be built on more ethically sourced data, which can lead to more reliable and trustworthy systems for our kids to interact with.

  • Parental actions/conversation starters:

    • Ask your kids: "If you create something awesome, like a drawing or a story, and a computer uses it to learn, should you get credit or money for it?"

    • Discuss the concept of "fair use" – when is it okay to use someone else's work, and when isn't it?

  • Summary: New reports show that chatbots are doubling down on spreading false information, especially during breaking news events. Some chatbots have even confidently presented incorrect facts, leading to serious consequences for users who rely on them for sensitive topics.

  • Why parents should know: Our kids are increasingly turning to chatbots for answers. This trend means we need to be more vigilant than ever about the information they're consuming and the potential for AI to mislead, intentionally or not.

  • Parental actions/conversation starters:

    • Practice "fact-checking Fridays": Pick a piece of news or a fun fact, and together, use different sources (not just one chatbot!) to verify its accuracy.

    • Talk about the importance of critical thinking: "Just because a computer says something confidently, doesn't mean it's true. How can we check?"

  • Summary: Following concerning incidents, including a wrongful death lawsuit, OpenAI and Meta are implementing new safety measures. This includes parental controls for ChatGPT and routing sensitive conversations (like those indicating mental distress) to more advanced, carefully trained AI models.

  • Why parents should know: This is a crucial step toward making AI tools safer for younger users. Parental controls offer a layer of oversight, and better detection of distress signals means chatbots might be less likely to inadvertently cause harm in serious situations.

  • Parental actions/conversation starters:

    • Have an open conversation about what to do if an AI chatbot says something upsetting or unhelpful. "Who would you talk to if a chatbot worried you?"

    • Explore new parental control features together once they roll out. Show your teen you're partnering with them on digital safety, not just policing them.

  • Summary: Microsoft has launched its own "MAI" (Microsoft AI) models, including VibeVoice and MAI-Voice-1, which are designed for long-form audio. This signals Microsoft's strategic move to reduce reliance on other AI providers and bolster its in-house capabilities.

  • Why parents should know: This pushes the envelope for natural, long-form voice interactions with AI. Imagine more intuitive smart speakers, educational apps, or even interactive storybooks. It also means more competition in the AI space, which can lead to better, safer products overall.

  • Parental actions/conversation starters:

    • Try experimenting with voice commands on existing smart devices. Discuss how AI makes those interactions possible.

    • Brainstorm ways a "super smart voice AI" could help with daily tasks, homework, or even just telling bedtime stories. What are the cool parts? What are the creepy parts?

  • Summary: Google Photos is integrating its advanced video generation model, Veo 3. This means you can now turn your static photos into higher-quality, animated videos right within the app, with new creative tools and collage options. Free users get some features, with more for subscribers.

  • Why parents should know: AI is making creative tools more accessible and powerful for everyone. Our kids will have incredible capabilities at their fingertips to transform their photos and videos into something truly dynamic, fostering creativity and digital storytelling.

  • Parental actions/conversation starters:

    • Challenge your kids to animate a favorite photo using the new Google Photos features. Discuss how AI helps bring images to life.

    • Talk about digital memories: "How does AI help us remember and share our family's special moments?"

From the Blog: Recent Insights for Your Family

Here are a couple of recent posts from the blog that you might find helpful:

🎤 Ready to Make 2026 Your Breakthrough Year for You AND Your Family? Join Me at the Goal Achievers Summit — Orlando, Dec 29-30!

🚀 It's time to shift from dreaming to doing. This isn’t just another event; it’s a powerful two-day experience designed for families and individuals ready to define, pursue, and achieve their biggest goals. Imagine leaving with a clear roadmap for 2026, inspired by world-class speakers and surrounded by a community committed to growth.

What you'll gain:

  • Actionable strategies for personal, professional, and family success.

  • Insights from over 40 leading experts on goal achievement.

  • A renewed sense of purpose and practical tools to thrive.

Don't just set goals; achieve them. Secure your spot now and start building the future you envision!

Balancing Bytes and Bedtime: Your Weekly Tips

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant march of technology, but remember: you’re the parent, and you’re in control. AI is a tool, and like any tool, we teach our kids how to use it wisely, safely, and for good.

Here are three quick tips for your family this week:

  1. Audit Your Smart Speakers: Take five minutes to review the privacy settings on any voice-activated smart speakers or devices in your home. Ensure voice recordings are handled to your comfort level and that any children's profiles have appropriate restrictions.

  2. Teach Digital Detective Skills: With AI's growing ability to generate convincing text and images, teach your kids how to be "digital detectives." Show them how to cross-reference information and question sources, even when they seem legitimate.

  3. Draft a Family AI-Use Agreement: Sit down as a family and create a simple agreement about how AI tools will be used in your home. Cover topics like honesty in homework, privacy with personal information, and kindness in interactions.

Wishing you a week filled with connection, curiosity, and joyful moments,

Warmly,

Warren Schuitema

Reply

or to participate.