News/Education
AI Skills Take Center Stage at EDNXT 2024 Education Summit
The United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII®) is set to play a significant role as the 'AI Skill Partner' at the upcoming EDNXT 2024 event in Hyderabad, India, highlighting the growing importance of AI in higher education and skill development. Event overview and focus: EDNXT 2024, organized by the Economic Times, aims to explore the transformative potential of AI in the higher education landscape. The event is scheduled for August 8, 2024, in Hyderabad, India, bringing together educators, industry leaders, and AI experts. Key themes of the conference include AI-enhanced pedagogies, strategies for closing skill gaps, and empowering educators and...
read Aug 5, 2024Duke University’s AI Art Experiment Reveals Promise and Limitations of AI in Creative Fields
Groundbreaking AI experiment in art curation: Duke University's Nasher Museum of Art recently conducted a pioneering experiment, leveraging artificial intelligence to curate an art exhibition from its extensive collection. The museum employed a large language model, similar to ChatGPT, to select and organize artworks for display. This innovative approach aimed to explore the potential of AI in the traditionally human-dominated field of art curation. The experiment shed light on both the capabilities and current limitations of AI in replicating complex human cognitive processes. Initial AI limitations and customization: The AI system initially faced challenges in accurately selecting appropriate artworks, highlighting...
read Aug 2, 2024NSF Invests $2.8M to Expand Ethical AI Education at Two-Year Institutions
The National Science Foundation invests $2.8 million to establish a National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC) at Miami Dade College, aiming to expand ethical AI education at two-year institutions and prepare students for the growing demand for AI expertise across various industries. Strengthening AI education at two-year institutions: The NAAIC, funded through the NSF Advanced Technological Education program, seeks to bolster responsible AI education at two-year institutions nationwide: The investment aims to provide students with the necessary technical knowledge and skills to navigate an AI-driven world, preparing them for meaningful employment in the rapidly evolving AI sector. By establishing the...
read Aug 1, 2024HBR: College Remains Vital Despite Rise of Online Learning and AI
The era of online learning has led some to question the value of a traditional college education, but in-person higher education still offers unique benefits that can't be replicated through a screen. The misguided perception of college as merely an information gatekeeper: The abundance of free online learning resources has caused many to view college solely as a means of acquiring knowledge and skills, overlooking its other valuable offerings: College provides transformative experiences that help students develop crucial soft skills like critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and creativity. These competencies are often best acquired through teamwork and repetition, which...
read Aug 1, 2024Princeton Professor Creates AI Teaching Assistant for Blockchain Course
Professor creates AI teaching assistant "Blockie" for advanced engineering course; Professor Pramod Viswanath of Princeton's Electrical and Computer Engineering department has created an AI teaching assistant called "Blockie" for his advanced course on blockchain principles, which he describes as "ChatGPT on steroids." Blockie was created by feeding ChatGPT all the lectures and assignments from the course, allowing it to provide personalized assistance to students. The AI assistant helps students overcome logistical barriers in their coding assignments and simplifies office hours, significantly assisting the human teaching assistants. Contrasting approaches to AI in the classroom: While some Princeton professors have banned AI...
read Jul 26, 2024How “Speculative Design” Can Revamp The Education System for the Age of AI
The future of education hangs in the balance as school systems struggle to keep pace with exponential technological growth in the age of AI. Speculative design, a methodology that uses design to explore and envision possible futures, may provide a powerful framework for reimagining education from the ground up. Adaptability as a survival skill: Speculative design methods can help foster adaptability, a crucial skill for thriving in an unpredictable future: By creating scenarios that represent potential future scenarios, students and teachers are challenged to navigate uncharted territories, developing the agility essential for success. Encouraging students to tackle ethical dilemmas posed...
read Jul 25, 2024Google DeepMind AI Scores Silver in Elite Math Olympiad, Showcasing AGI Progress
A Google DeepMind AI system achieved a major milestone by scoring 28 points in this year's International Mathematical Olympiad, equivalent to a silver medal and the highest score reached by AI so far in the world's most prestigious math competition for high school students. Key Takeaways: AlphaProof, the latest AI system from Google DeepMind, showcased impressive mathematical problem-solving abilities in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): The system scored 28 points, equivalent to a silver medal, which is the highest score achieved by an AI in the competition to date. AlphaProof can tackle various areas of mathematics, including geometry, number theory,...
read Jul 24, 2024Schools Need Help Preparing Their Students for an AI-Driven Future
The advent of AI in education presents both opportunities and challenges, as schools find themselves in a transitional phase that requires adaptation and innovation. Navigating the liminal space: Schools are entering a period of uncertainty and change as AI becomes more prevalent, which can cause discomfort but also presents opportunities for growth and innovation: Educators are encouraged to embrace the PATHWAY framework, which includes persevering in uncertainty, raising awareness, being open to transformation, building supportive communities, approaching new possibilities with curiosity, experimenting with AI tools, and celebrating small successes. The role of teachers will inevitably change, requiring a focus on...
read Jul 21, 2024NVIDIA Is Offering New Learning Resources and Certifications to Foster AI Literacy
NVIDIA’s latest webinar, Essential Training and Tips to Accelerate Your Career in AI, featured a panel discussion with industry experts on career growth and continued learning in AI. Here's what the experts had to say. Opportunities abound in the rapidly growing AI field: As AI impacts nearly every industry, new career paths are emerging for professionals from diverse backgrounds, even those not directly working in AI. Lauren Silveira, NVIDIA university recruiting program manager, encourages applying unique education and experiences to AI careers. Kevin McFall, NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute instructor, advises leveraging existing code, resources, and networks rather than building everything...
read Jul 21, 2024How Increasing Diversity in STEM and AI May Address Bias in Generative Models
The rise of generative AI has highlighted the potential for bias in AI models, raising concerns about fairness and inclusivity as these technologies become more influential in critical areas like insurance, housing, credit, and welfare. Addressing this challenge may call for a more diverse workforce in AI and STEM fields. Early education and exposure: Encouraging more women and minorities to pursue STEM careers starts with early education and exposure: Representation shapes perception, and subtle messages given to young girls can influence their interest in STEM fields. Equal paths for exploration and exposure should be ensured through regular curriculum and partnerships...
read Jul 17, 2024OpenAI Founding Member Announces Launch of New AI Education Startup Eureka Labs
Andrej Karpathy, former OpenAI founding member and Tesla AI scientist, has announced the launch of Eureka Labs, an AI-native school that aims to improve education by combining human expertise with AI teaching assistants. Teacher + AI symbiosis: Eureka Labs seeks to provide an ideal learning experience by leveraging AI to scale and guide human expert-written course materials: Subject matter experts will design course materials, while AI teaching assistants will guide students through them, allowing for a common platform to run an entire curriculum. The goal is to make it easy for anyone to learn anything, expanding education in both reach...
read Jul 16, 2024Zoc Aims To Empower Students And Transform Education With AI
AI company Zoc is attempting to radically change the educational landscape by leveraging AI technology to enhance the learning experience for students, particularly those with learning challenges or language barriers. Key features and benefits: Zoc offers a suite of AI-powered tools designed to streamline the learning process and make it more engaging for students: The app records lectures, generates transcripts, and creates well-organized notes, allowing students to focus on the lecture without the distraction of note-taking. Zoc's tutoring function enables students to quiz themselves on lecture material, reinforcing their understanding of key concepts. The platform can evaluate written essays, providing...
read Jul 16, 2024How Our Education System Is Failing Students in the AI Era
Education's disconnect from the AI world: Schools around the globe are teaching as if the world outside the classroom is standing still, creating a crisis as AI becomes ubiquitous and transforms society. Gatto's seven invisible lessons holding education back: The late educator John Taylor Gatto identified seven practices in his essay "The Seven-Lesson Schoolteacher" that are stunting children's development and prospects in an AI world: Confusion: Schools present disconnected subjects without tying them together, leaving students unable to see the big picture and develop an innovative mindset crucial in an AI world. Class position: Through testing and tracking, schools reinforce...
read Jul 12, 2024UK Aims to Boost University Spinouts, Emulating US for AI Edge
The UK government is exploring ways to boost funding for university startups to capitalize on the AI revolution and strengthen the country's tech industry. Here is a summary of the key points: The UK's push to commercialize academic research: UK universities are urging the new Labor government to significantly increase funding for startups spun out of academia to £108 million ($140 million) per year: The UK has a strong tech industry and world-class universities, but the process of spinning out companies from academia remains challenging compared to the US. An independent government review found that technology transfer offices (TTOs) at...
read Jul 12, 2024University of Illinois Is Emerging as an AI Powerhouse for Responsible Innovation
The University of Illinois has emerged as a Midwestern powerhouse in artificial intelligence, driving transformative advancements across industries through groundbreaking research, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to responsible AI innovation. AI research and education at UIUC: The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has established itself as a global leader in AI, with over $270 million in AI-related research projects since 2019: The Grainger College of Engineering and the new Siebel School of Computing and Data Science constitute a world-leading hub of AI innovation, spurring advancements in agriculture, biotechnology, education, and other fields. UIUC has a rich history of producing...
read Jul 11, 2024AI Raises Concerns Among Students About Privacy, Democracy, and Future of Work at Risk
The rise of AI is prompting important discussions about its implications for the future of work, education, and society. MIT's Ramesh Raskar shares insights on key concerns raised by students and young professionals. Data privacy and regulation: As AI and large language models (LLMs) enable the creation of various applications, there are concerns about the need for proper regulation and control to prevent misuse and protect personal data: Examples like facial recognition technologies and ubiquitous tracking of personal data by third parties highlight the challenges in ensuring data privacy and ownership in the AI era. The notion of data democratization...
read Jul 1, 2024AI and Higher Education: A Vital Partnership for America’s Economic Future
Mary Meeker, known for her influential "Internet Trends" reports, has released a new report focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and U.S. higher education, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the two sectors for America's economic vitality. Key Takeaways: Meeker argues that the U.S. has taken the lead in AI from China, and maintaining this advantage hinges on a partnership between technology companies and universities: Tech companies should provide resources like GPUs to research universities and clearly communicate their views on the evolving future of work. Higher education institutions need to undergo a "mindset change," with teachers acting more...
read Jul 1, 2024Telltale Signs: AI’s Growing Influence on Scientific Writing Revealed by Word Frequency Analysis
A surge in certain words and phrases in scientific papers suggests the growing use of large language models (LLMs) in academic writing since their widespread introduction in late 2022: Detecting LLM-generated text through "excess words": Researchers analyzed millions of scientific abstracts, comparing the frequency of words before and after the introduction of LLMs, and found telltale signs of AI-generated content. Words like "delves," "showcasing," and "underscores" appeared up to 25 times more frequently in 2024 abstracts compared to pre-LLM trends. The post-LLM era saw a significant increase in the use of "style words" such as verbs, adjectives, and adverbs (e.g.,...
read Jul 1, 2024Why Google’s New NotebookLM May Be a Favorite with Students
The innovative NotebookLM AI tool from Google Labs is set to change how students interact with information, offering a range of features designed to enhance learning and academic integrity. Source Grounding for Trustworthy AI: NotebookLM addresses concerns about AI hallucinations by allowing students to define and upload trusted sources, ensuring responses are firmly rooted in reliable material: Students can confidently use AI without worrying about being misled by fabricated information. The tool enables students to ask questions, learn, and explore based on specific class readings. Advanced Citation System for Academic Integrity: NotebookLM's advanced citation system promotes proper sourcing and teaches...
read Jun 28, 2024Google Translate Adds 110 Languages, Expands Reach to 614M More People Worldwide
Google Translate has significantly expanded its capabilities by leveraging Google's PaLM 2 large language model, allowing it to accurately translate a much wider array of languages, dialects, and creoles. Key details of the expansion: Google Translate is adding 110 new languages, the largest single expansion in the platform's history, enabling it to serve an additional 614 million people, or about 8% of the global population: The update includes some widely spoken languages like Cantonese and Punjabi (Shahmukhi), as well as lesser-known tongues like Manx, Sicilian Italian, and Tok Pisin. African languages saw their biggest expansion, with the addition of Fon,...
read Jun 28, 2024ChatGPT Aces Intro Psych Exams, Stumbles in Advanced Courses, Challenging Academic Integrity
ChatGPT outperforms undergrads in introductory psychology courses but struggles in higher-level classes, raising questions about the impact of AI on academic integrity and the effectiveness of AI detection tools. Study tests ChatGPT's performance on university psychology exams: Researchers at the University of Reading conducted an experiment where they submitted ChatGPT-generated answers to exam questions in five undergraduate psychology modules, spanning all three years of study: The AI-generated submissions included both short 200-word answers and longer 1,500-word essays, with minimal editing or formatting applied to the AI-produced content. Out of the 63 AI-generated submissions, 94% went undetected by markers, and nearly...
read Jun 27, 2024AI Chatbots Are Now Outperforming University Students on Exams, Study Shows
A recent study suggests AI-powered chatbots can outperform university students on exams, often going undetected by markers. This finding raises important questions about the integrity of educational assessments in an era of rapidly advancing AI technology. Key findings from the University of Reading study: Researchers created 33 fake students and used ChatGPT to generate answers for undergraduate psychology exams, with surprising results: The AI-generated exam answers scored half a grade boundary higher on average compared to real students' submissions. 94% of the AI-generated answers did not raise concerns with markers, suggesting they were largely undetectable as being written by AI....
read Jun 27, 2024AI’s Growing Role in Science Raises Questions About Academia’s Future
The rise of AI-assisted scientific research raises important questions about the future of academia and knowledge creation: Key Takeaways: Large language models (LLMs) are now advanced enough to help write scientific papers, potentially speeding up the drafting process, especially for non-native English speakers. However, LLMs also come with risks, such as reproducing biases and generating plausible-sounding nonsense, which could compromise the integrity of scientific literature if not properly addressed. Prevalence of AI-assisted research: A recent analysis suggests that AI may have already contributed to at least 10% of published scientific papers, highlighting the rapid adoption of these tools in academia:...
read Jun 25, 2024Groundbreaking AI Model Slashes Energy Use, Matches Top Performance
UC Santa Cruz researchers have developed a highly energy-efficient large language model that maintains state-of-the-art performance while drastically reducing computational costs. Key innovation: Eliminating matrix multiplication in neural networks; The researchers eliminated the most computationally expensive element of large language models, matrix multiplication, by using ternary numbers and a new communication strategy between matrices: Instead of real numbers, the matrices use ternary numbers (-1, 0, 1), reducing computation to summing rather than multiplying. The matrices are overlaid and only the most important operations are performed, further reducing computational overhead. Time-based computation is introduced during training to maintain performance despite the...
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