From Global Classrooms to Presidential Policies: How AI is Redefining Education and Governance
Niel de Kock
Editor of 'The AI Way' a weekly email newsletter focussed on Education and AI. | Pioneering AI in Education & Self-Learning | Explore AI's Frontier with My Weekly Newsletter |1010+ Subscribers & Growing
Welcome to the latest news in AI and AI in educational news.
Education AI News
What Can AI Chatbots Teach Us About How Humans Learn?
AI chatbots like ChatGPT are raising complex questions about language, cognition, and the nature of understanding, with far-reaching implications for education. In his new book, ChatGPT and the Future of AI, AI pioneer Terrence Sejnowski explores the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence, emphasizing that even experts debate whether these tools truly "understand" language as humans do. Sejnowski, a renowned neuroscientist and educator, highlights that while chatbots hold promise as personalized learning aids, they lack the diverse functions of the human brain that are essential for survival and autonomous learning. He foresees that advancements in AI may eventually allow us to interact with devices through natural dialogue, reshaping daily experiences. Sejnowski also addresses the need for regulation, given the potential for unforeseen negative impacts similar to those of social media. For more insights, tune into this week’s EdSurge Podcast to hear Sejnowski discuss his views on AI, human learning, and his popular course, Learning How to Learn.
Baked-in Bias or Sweet Equity: AI's Role in Motivation and Deep Learning
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in education, it's essential to understand its potential biases, especially regarding its impact on students of color. New AI tools, such as AI tutors and grading systems, are widely adopted, but research reveals concerns about bias stemming from AI’s reliance on existing, often discriminatory datasets. For instance, AI-generated content may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes, potentially disengaging students who don’t see themselves represented. This highlights the need for diversity in training datasets and rigorous testing to minimize biases. Educational institutions, developers, and policymakers have an opportunity to proactively address these issues, promoting equitable and motivating learning experiences for all students.
(https://www.eschoolnews.com/digital-learning/2024/10/28/baked-in-bias-or-sweet-equity-ai-education/ )
AI in Education in 2024: Educators Weigh Potential Benefits Against Concerns
As AI continues its rise in K–12 education, educators express mixed feelings about its role in the classroom. While AI is recognized for its potential to boost productivity and enable differentiated learning, with many teachers reporting time saved on administrative tasks and increased personalized learning options, there remains hesitancy in widespread adoption. Key barriers include a lack of training, concerns about student cheating, and unfamiliarity with AI's full capabilities. Although 97% of education leaders view AI's impact positively, only 35% of schools have launched generative AI initiatives. As AI tools evolve, education leaders are considering both the opportunities and the ethical challenges this technology presents for student learning.
University AI Experts Bridge Educational Gaps for Rural Teachers in Vietnam
Researchers at Coventry University, led by Dr. Petros Lameras, have launched GameAid, an innovative project using generative AI to assist teachers in rural northern Vietnam, where limited technology and training often hinder educational progress. GameAid uses an interactive game to show educators how to integrate AI into their teaching practices, aiming to transform classroom engagement and reduce educational disparities. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen from Hanoi University of Science and Technology highlights that GameAid offers tools and guidelines that empower teachers, helping bridge the gap between urban and rural schools and promoting equal access to technology-driven learning.
President Biden’s First National Security Memorandum on AI Outlines Framework for Safe and Strategic AI Leadership
President Biden has issued the first National Security Memorandum (NSM) on artificial intelligence, outlining key priorities to bolster the U.S. position in AI leadership, advance AI governance for national security, and encourage global cooperation. This memorandum builds on Biden's prior executive order and emphasizes the need to secure U.S. innovations against foreign espionage, designating the AI Safety Institute as a central governmental liaison for AI matters. The NSM includes the Framework to Advance AI Governance and Risk Management, establishing safety, privacy, and anti-bias standards. It also reinforces the National AI Research Resource pilot to democratize AI access across smaller entities. These steps align with recent international agreements and reinforce commitments to ethical, responsible AI innovation in alignment with U.S. security goals and democratic principles.
AI News
领英推荐
Big Tech's AI Investments Worry Investors Ahead of Amazon's Earnings
Big Tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet are ramping up spending on AI infrastructure to meet soaring demand, but investors are concerned about the impact on near-term profits. Despite strong quarterly earnings, Microsoft and Meta saw stock declines as they warned of high AI-related expenses affecting margins. Chip shortages from suppliers like Nvidia and AMD are also delaying data center expansions. Despite short-term challenges, companies like Meta emphasize AI’s long-term potential, likening this phase to early investments in cloud technology.
X Users Earn Big by Sharing Misinformation and AI Images During U.S. Election Season
Some X (formerly Twitter) users are making thousands of dollars by sharing election-related misinformation, doctored images, and conspiracy theories. Networks of accounts amplify each other's posts to maximize reach, often circulating content supporting figures like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. With X’s updated monetization rules, revenue now depends on engagement from premium users. Despite the platform's guidelines, the absence of clear misinformation policies raises concerns about incentivizing misleading content. This influence is already extending to other social media sites, impacting the U.S. political discourse as elections approach.
MIT Develops Faster, More Efficient Method to Train Robots for Diverse Tasks
Inspired by the success of large language models (LLMs), MIT researchers have developed a new technique to train general-purpose robots using a diverse set of data from simulations, human demonstrations, and real-world interactions. Unlike traditional training, which is task-specific and costly, this method combines data from various domains into a unified system called Heterogeneous Pretrained Transformers (HPT). This versatile approach enables robots to learn a wide range of tasks more efficiently, improving performance by over 20% compared to training from scratch. Future goals for HPT include expanding data diversity and enabling adaptability similar to LLMs, potentially leading to a universal "robot brain."
AI Tools
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Herodot: Your Personal AI Travel Guide
Herodot transforms travel by providing a personalized AI-powered guide, allowing users to explore any destination with insights tailored to their interests. The app enables users to select and compose walking routes based on preferences, explore on demand by learning about any object on the map or in view, and enjoy interactive stories about regions of interest. Narrated in 20 languages, Herodot offers diverse guides, from a local guide or history teacher to a kid-friendly companion or stand-up comic, making travel educational and fun for everyone..
Enjoy your week till next week.