News/Education
AI brings extinct dodo to life for Cambridge museum visitors
Innovative museum experience: The University of Cambridge's Museum of Zoology is launching a groundbreaking initiative that allows visitors to engage in two-way conversations with animal specimens using generative artificial intelligence. The month-long experiment, starting Tuesday, features 13 carefully selected specimens, including extinct species like the dodo and living animals such as the blue fin whale. Visitors can initiate conversations by scanning QR codes near the exhibits, enabling interactions with the specimens through their smartphones. The AI-powered system can communicate in over 20 languages, making the experience accessible to a diverse range of museum-goers. Engagement and education goals: The primary objective...
read Oct 9, 2024AI tools that are already making a positive impact on primary education
AI-powered learning tools for primary school children: Artificial intelligence is being leveraged to create engaging and personalized educational experiences for elementary-age students, helping to fill knowledge gaps and enrich their learning journey. The advent of AI tools offers parents and guardians new ways to support their children's academic growth outside the traditional classroom setting. These tools span various subjects and skills, from creative writing and math to art and history, catering to different learning styles and interests. Personalized storytelling with AI: Large language models like Claude or ChatGPT can be used to create customized stories featuring the child as a...
read Oct 7, 2024Goodnotes’ new AI can read and even explain terrible handwritten notes
AI-powered handwriting recognition revolutionizes digital note-taking: Goodnotes, a popular digital note-taking app, has introduced groundbreaking AI features that can read, explain, and interact with handwritten notes, transforming the way users engage with their digital notebooks. Key features of Goodnotes' AI innovation: The app now offers handwriting editing capabilities based on proprietary Smart Ink technology, allowing users to manipulate handwritten text as if it were typed. Ask Goodnotes, an AI assistant, can answer questions about notes, provide summaries, explain concepts, and help create quizzes. Math Assist recognizes handwritten mathematical equations and can provide solutions, step-by-step explanations, or hints for problems ranging...
read Oct 7, 2024How ChatGPT Voice is making the world more accessible
AI-powered voice interaction revolutionizes accessibility: ChatGPT's new Advanced Voice feature is transforming communication and education by breaking down language barriers and offering personalized, interactive learning experiences. Key features of Advanced Voice mode: Enables natural, flowing audio conversations with the AI chatbot using GPT-4's audio capabilities Available to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers via the mobile app Understands context, responds to emotions, and maintains coherent dialogues even when interrupted Supports 50 languages, making it a powerful tool for language learning and global communication Remembers past conversations for more personalized and contextual interactions over time Development and launch challenges: The launch was...
read Oct 7, 2024AI-assisted students risk learning deficit, warns analyst
AI as a collaborative tool: Ethan Mollick, a professor at the Wharton School of Business, advocates for using artificial intelligence as a companion for various tasks while cautioning against its misuse. In his new book "Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI," Mollick explores the potential of AI as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human intelligence. He recommends spending at least 10 hours with AI tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and limitations. Mollick emphasizes the importance of using AI as "co-intelligence" to enhance human capabilities rather than as a crutch that hinders learning and...
read Oct 7, 2024AI challenges aspiring web developers’ learning journey
AI's impact on web development education: The increasing use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in coding education, particularly for web development, is raising concerns about its potential negative effects on learning outcomes and skill acquisition. • JumboCode, a student-run organization at Tufts University that builds software for non-profits, has observed widespread use of LLMs among its 180 student developers, many of whom are learning web development from scratch. • The Head of Engineering at JumboCode has noticed that substantial portions of code in student projects appear to be LLM-generated, characterized by excessive commenting and inconsistent style. Alarming examples of AI-generated...
read Oct 7, 2024AI-generated nude images of classmates alarm parents and educators
Disturbing trend in AI-generated nudes among minors: A recent survey by anti-human trafficking nonprofit Thorn has uncovered a concerning phenomenon where adolescents are using artificial intelligence to create nude images of their peers. One in ten minors reported knowing peers who have used AI to generate nude images of other children, highlighting the prevalence of this issue. While the motivations may stem from adolescent behavior rather than intentional sexual abuse, the potential harm to victims is significant and should not be downplayed. Real-world consequences: The creation and distribution of AI-generated nude images of minors has already led to legal repercussions...
read Oct 3, 2024AI skills are crucial for students’ career readiness, but not everyone agrees
AI in Higher Education: A Controversial Frontier: The integration of generative AI tools in college coursework is sparking debate among students, educators, and industry experts, revealing a complex landscape of opportunities and challenges. Student Reluctance vs. Industry Demands: Despite growing industry emphasis on AI skills, many college students are hesitant to embrace generative AI tools for their studies. A May 2024 survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab found that over half of free responses from students indicated a refusal to engage with AI for coursework. Only 20% of U.S. students reported using generative AI for their studies, highlighting...
read Oct 2, 2024How AI is changing student behavior and even drove this teacher to quit
AI's impact on academic writing: The widespread adoption of AI language models like ChatGPT is fundamentally changing the landscape of academic writing and education, presenting significant challenges for educators and students alike. Victoria Livingstone, an experienced educator with nearly two decades of teaching experience, has decided to quit her profession largely due to the challenges posed by AI in the classroom. Despite her efforts to incorporate AI into lesson plans and highlight its limitations, Livingstone found that most of her students, including doctoral candidates, heavily relied on AI for writing tasks. Students often used AI to draft research articles, revise...
read Sep 30, 2024AI homework help backfires on unsuspecting dad
AI assistance backfires in hilarious homework mishap: A father's attempt to use artificial intelligence to help with his son's math homework led to an unexpected and amusing outcome, highlighting the challenges parents face in assisting with complex assignments. The situation: Alan, a father from Orange County, California, turned to Samsung's Bixby AI assistant to help decipher his son Jacob's third-grade Spanish math homework, resulting in a comical exchange captured on video by his wife, Julieta Meza. Jacob attends dual-language classes in English and Spanish, which can sometimes make understanding word problems challenging for his parents. The family often relies on...
read Sep 27, 2024Teachers are turning to AI for help as students return to school
AI in education: A new frontier: As students return to school, teachers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence tools to assist with their work, marking a significant shift in educational technology. The 2023-2024 school year is seeing a notable uptick in the use of generative AI tools by educators. These AI tools are designed to help teachers with various aspects of their jobs, potentially streamlining tasks and enhancing educational processes. Rapid growth in educational AI: The education sector is experiencing a surge in AI-focused startups, with some companies in this space growing at an unprecedented rate. One of the fastest-growing...
read Sep 26, 2024AI is going to kill jobs for the poor and less educated, Duolingo CEO opines
AI's impact on job automation sparks controversy: Duolingo CEO Luis von Ahn's casual discussion of AI-driven job losses while enjoying Mexican cuisine has ignited debate about the technology's societal implications. Von Ahn acknowledged that AI-related layoffs would disproportionately affect "the poor, the less educated" both in the US and developing countries. Duolingo has already implemented AI-driven changes, cutting contractors responsible for translation phrasing in January 2023. The company's CEO claims that generative AI is accelerating content creation, making certain tasks more efficient. Duolingo's AI integration and its consequences: The language learning app has embraced artificial intelligence technology, leading to significant...
read Sep 25, 202488% of US Parents Now Consider AI Essential to Children’s Education
AI's growing importance in education: A recent survey reveals that 88% of US parents believe knowledge of AI will be crucial for their children's future education and careers, highlighting the increasing recognition of AI's role in shaping educational outcomes. The survey, commissioned by Samsung Solve for Tomorrow and conducted by Morning Consult, polled over 1,000 US parents of Gen Alpha and Gen Z students. Despite the high percentage of parents acknowledging AI's importance, 81% either don't believe or are unsure if AI is part of their children's current curriculum. This disparity underscores the need for more accessible information about AI...
read Sep 24, 2024How Tomorrow’s Chatbots Will Reshape Daily Life
The AI chatbot revolution: Advanced language models are set to transform various aspects of our daily lives, from personal assistance to enterprise operations, with the chatbot market expected to reach $20.81 billion by 2029. Breakthrough in reasoning capabilities: OpenAI's latest model, o1, demonstrates significant improvements in problem-solving across multiple disciplines, outperforming previous versions in complex tasks. The o1 model achieves 83.3% accuracy in math olympiad questions, compared to 13.4% for GPT-4o. Enhanced reasoning abilities are attributed to advancements in chain-of-thought prompting, retrieval mechanisms, and reinforcement learning from human feedback. These improvements enable more sophisticated applications in coding, game design, and...
read Sep 24, 2024Duolingo Launches AI Video Calls and E-Piano for Enhanced Learning
Duolingo expands beyond language learning: The popular language-learning app is diversifying its offerings with new hardware and AI-powered features to enhance user experience and learning opportunities. Duolingo is entering the hardware market with an electronic piano, developed in collaboration with Loog, a musical instrument manufacturer known for producing keyboards and guitars for children. The e-piano, priced at $249, will be available for purchase on Duolingo's website, catering to users of its music course. AI-powered video calls roll out: Duolingo is introducing OpenAI-powered video calls to all iOS Duolingo Max subscribers, offering a new dimension to language practice. The Video Calls...
read Sep 23, 2024How Educators Across the World are Using AI to Transform Their Practice
AI's transformative impact on education: The Back to School AI Webinar 2024 brought together five leading educators to showcase innovative applications of artificial intelligence in teaching practices worldwide. Over 1700 educators from around the globe participated in the event, highlighting the growing interest in AI-driven education. The presenters, hailing from diverse backgrounds and locations, demonstrated unique ways AI tools are being used to address various educational challenges. Enhancing collaboration through AI-assisted brainstorming: Sabba Quidwai, CEO of Designing Schools, presented on using ChatGPT and Canva for collaborative idea generation while maintaining human creativity. Quidwai emphasized the importance of balancing AI assistance...
read Sep 23, 2024Why Skeptics Think AI in the Classroom is a Bad Idea
The digital dilemma in education: The integration of technology in classrooms, particularly the Internet and smartphones, has sparked a heated debate about its impact on student learning and attention spans. Proponents of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, including OpenAI, Khan Academy, and Bill Gates, advocate for its potential to enhance learning opportunities and access to quality educational content. Critics, including some educational policymakers and educators, are pushing back against digital technology in classrooms, with some districts and countries implementing bans on smartphones and other devices. Examining the access argument: Advocates for technology in education often cite increased access to information...
read Sep 23, 2024How AI Tool ‘Brisk Teaching’ is Saving Teachers Time and Modernizing Education
AI revolutionizing education: Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool to alleviate teacher burnout and transform the educational landscape by automating time-consuming tasks and enhancing student engagement. The teaching profession is facing a crisis, with K-12 teachers experiencing the highest burnout rates among all U.S. professions, largely due to hidden workloads and fragmented digital tools. AI-powered solutions, such as Brisk Teaching's Chrome extension and Brisk Boost feature, are addressing these challenges by automating routine tasks and providing personalized learning experiences. The hidden workload behind teacher burnout: Teachers spend a significant amount of time on behind-the-scenes tasks, often surpassing the...
read Sep 21, 2024Salesforce Investing $50M to Launch Free AI Training Courses
AI skills gap prompts Salesforce's ambitious training initiative: Salesforce has launched a comprehensive program to provide free AI training and dedicated learning spaces, addressing the growing demand for AI skills in the workplace. The company is offering its premium AI courses and certifications at no cost through 2025, investing over $50 million in this initiative. Salesforce aims to reach an additional 100,000 learners through its Trailhead online learning platform, which now includes AI-specific training courses. Since June 2023, more than 2.6 million AI and data badges have been earned by employees, job seekers, and learners on Trailhead. Global expansion of...
read Sep 20, 2024OpenAI Expands o1 AI Model Access to Education and Enterprise
OpenAI's o1 AI models are now available for enterprise and education users, offering advanced reasoning capabilities that compete directly with Anthropic's offerings. These models represent a significant leap in AI problem-solving abilities, with potential to transform industries reliant on complex data analysis and decision-making. The big picture: OpenAI's release of o1-preview and o1-mini models to ChatGPT Enterprise and ChatGPT Edu customers marks a pivotal moment in AI development, focusing on deep reasoning and complex problem-solving capabilities. The o1 models are designed to imitate human thought processes, allowing them to tackle intricate problems in fields like mathematics, coding, and scientific research....
read Sep 20, 2024How Princeton is Pioneering ‘AI for Accelerating Invention’
Princeton University launches AI-driven engineering initiative: The "AI for Accelerating Invention" program aims to revolutionize engineering disciplines by leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve faster breakthroughs. Leadership and structure: Associate Professor Mengdi Wang and Professor Ryan Adams are spearheading this ambitious project, which is part of the broader Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence. The initiative brings together researchers from various engineering fields to collaboratively use AI in pushing scientific boundaries. Two other initiatives, yet to be detailed, are also part of the Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence. Showcasing AI applications: At the launch event, ten Princeton engineering faculty members presented their...
read Sep 18, 2024AI Detection Tools Disadvantage Black Students, Study Finds
Racial bias in AI detection impacts Black students: A new study by Common Sense Media reveals that Black teenagers in the US are approximately twice as likely as their white and Latino counterparts to have their schoolwork falsely flagged as AI-generated by teachers. The study surveyed 1,045 teenagers aged 13-18 and their parents between March 15 and April 20, highlighting a concerning trend in the use of AI detection tools in educational settings. This disparity in AI detection raises concerns about exacerbating existing disciplinary disparities among historically marginalized groups. Black students already face the highest rate of disciplinary measures in...
read Sep 18, 2024AI Tutors Double Student Learning in Harvard Study
Groundbreaking study reveals AI tutor's effectiveness: A new Harvard University study has found that students learned twice as much with an AI tutor compared to traditional lectures, potentially signaling a major shift in educational approaches. Study design and methodology: The research, led by Gregory Kestin and Kelly Miller, aimed to address the gap between current teaching methods and personalized learning strategies. The study involved 194 undergraduate Harvard physics students split into two groups over a two-week period. Each group experienced both AI tutoring and traditional lectures, with the conditions alternating between weeks. The AI tutor was carefully engineered to incorporate...
read Sep 18, 2024A Majority of Teens Now Use AI Tools — Most of Their Parents Don’t know
Generative AI adoption surges among US teens: A recent survey by Common Sense Media reveals that 70% of American teenagers are now using generative AI tools, outpacing both parental awareness and school policies. Over half of the surveyed teens report using AI text generators, chatbots, and AI-powered search engines, with 34% utilizing image generators and 22% experimenting with video generation tools. The primary motivation for AI use among teens is academic, with "homework help" and idea brainstorming being the most common applications, followed by entertainment and language translation. Educational landscape unprepared for AI integration: The survey highlights a significant gap...
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