A Brookings Institution 'premortem' on generative AI warns of cognitive harms for students—labeling widespread AI use as a potential cause of reasoning atrophy and relational erosion—and prompted sharp reactions from K–12 and higher‑ed practitioners. The report frames AI’s frictionless nature as a learning‑risk and urges protective measures and pedagogical redesign. Meanwhile, federal regulation and coordinated guidance on AI in education remain limited. Testimony before the House Education and Workforce Committee highlighted a lack of shared standards and safe, purpose‑built classroom tools, leaving districts and colleges to craft ad hoc policies amid competing federal signals that favor rapid AI deployment. Campus academic leaders and registrars must balance pedagogical innovation with assessment integrity and student‑data protections. Institutions should prioritize common standards, professional development for instructors, and privacy‑first implementations while monitoring evolving federal guidance.