AI chatbots refuse to produce ‘controversial’ output − why that’s a free speech problem

AI chatbot makers’ restrictive use policies hinder people’s access to information.

Jacob Mchangama, Research Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University • conversation
April 18, 2024 ~10 min

Looking to photograph a solar eclipse with your smartphone? Try these features and think about creative angles

Your phone can’t take a perfectly clear picture of a solar eclipse like a professional camera can, but there are lots of other creative directions you can take to capture the rare moment.

Douglas Goodwin, Visiting Assistant Professor in Media Studies, Scripps College • conversation
April 1, 2024 ~7 min


Generative AI could leave users holding the bag for copyright violations

With the right prompts, AI users can mimic copyrighted works. There’s no easy technical or legal fix.

Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University • conversation
March 22, 2024 ~8 min

AI vs. elections: 4 essential reads about the threat of high-tech deception in politics

Using disinformation to sway elections is nothing new. Powerful new AI tools, however, threaten to give the deceptions unprecedented reach.

Eric Smalley, Science + Technology Editor • conversation
March 18, 2024 ~8 min

AI helps students skip right to the good stuff in this intro programming course

Learning to program requires mastering the nitty-gritty of code syntax. Generative AI turns out to be good at that. Adding AI to intro programming courses frees students to focus on problem-solving.

Daniel Zingaro, Associate Professor of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, University of Toronto • conversation
Feb. 6, 2024 ~5 min

Data brokers know everything about you – what FTC case against ad tech giant Kochava reveals

It’s no surprise that corporations harvest vast amounts of data about people, but documents in an FTC lawsuit detail the stunning amount that data brokers know about you and everyone else.

Anne Toomey McKenna, Visiting Professor of Law, University of Richmond • conversation
Jan. 12, 2024 ~10 min

Britain likely to generate more electricity from wind, solar and hydro than fossil fuels for the first year ever in 2023

An important milestone set to be passed – if it remains windy.

Katarina Pegg, PhD Student, Energy Systems and Data Group, University of Birmingham • conversation
Dec. 22, 2023 ~6 min

ChatGPT turns 1: AI chatbot's success says as much about humans as technology

ChatGPT’s interface fueled the technology’s phenomenal rise to prominence. By being good at talking with us, it spoke to us.

Tim Gorichanaz, Assistant Teaching Professor of Information Science, Drexel University • conversation
Nov. 29, 2023 ~7 min


Why Google, Bing and other search engines' embrace of generative AI threatens $68 billion SEO industry

Search engines run by generative AI could fundamentally change the online ecosystem.

Ravi Sen, Associate Professor of Information and Operations Management, Texas A&M University • conversation
Oct. 20, 2023 ~8 min

'Digital necromancy': why bringing people back from the dead with AI is just an extension of our grieving practices

It might seem creepy but digital necromancy is a natural extension of how we grieve in the age of AI.

Terence Heng, Senior lecturer, University of Liverpool • conversation
Sept. 19, 2023 ~7 min

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