California is partnering with Google, Microsoft, Adobe and IBM to provide free AI tools and training to colleges, aiming to prepare students for a changing job market. Supporters see a boost to “AI literacy,” while critics warn the benefits remain unproven.

The 32 defendants are violating antitrust law by agreeing not to compete with each other for early-decision students, the lawsuit said. The universities also mislead applicants by presenting early decision offers as legally binding, it said.

A few university presidents, including Wesleyan’s Michael S. Roth and Mount Holyoke’s Danielle Holley, are openly challenging the Trump administration’s push against diversity programs, transgender athletes and campus protests, even as many schools settle. Most institutions have stayed silent.

A key office in the Department of Education responsible for fielding grievances about student loans has a backlog of more than 27,000 complaints after losing nearly two-thirds of its staff.