Monthly Archives: October 2024

Is childproofing the internet constitutional? A tech law expert draws out the issues

Is childproofing the internet constitutional? A tech law expert draws out the issues

Mounting pressure to regulate children’s use of technology in the United States raises the question: Is childproofing the internet constitutional? In response to significant political pressure stemming from alarming revelations about youth experience with digital technologies, a wave of state laws have recently passed across the U.S. They address a variety of online harms affecting children, ranging from exposure […] … learn more→

What are the limits of free speech? We may have arrived at them

What are the limits of free speech? We may have arrived at them

Political operatives on the far right have long spoken about their ambition to shift the “Overton window”. The aim is to “mainstream” ideas long considered unthinkable, through gradual, step-by-step radicalisation and repetition – especially on hot-button issues such as immigration, sexuality, race and identity. If challenged, commentators respond by appealing to “free speech”, accusing their critics of […] … learn more→

AI is a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s underpinned by an invisible and exploited workforce

AI is a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s underpinned by an invisible and exploited workforce

In dusty factories, cramped internet cafes and makeshift home offices around the world, millions of people sit at computers tediously labelling data. These workers are the lifeblood of the burgeoning artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Without them, products such as ChatGPT simply would not exist. That’s because the data they label helps AI systems “learn”. But […] … learn more→

What is special consideration for exams? How does it work?

What is special consideration for exams? How does it work?

Many Year 12 students are preparing for final exams throughout October and November. What happens if something unexpected happens that makes final preparations or performance on the day more difficult? This is where special consideration or special provisions can help. How might you be eligible? Students who experience something unexpected during the exam period may […] … learn more→

How foreign operations are manipulating social media to influence your views

How foreign operations are manipulating social media to influence your views

Foreign influence campaigns, or information operations, have been widespread in the run-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Influence campaigns are large-scale efforts to shift public opinion, push false narratives or change behaviors among a target population. Russia, China, Iran, Israel and other nations have run these campaigns by exploiting social bots, influencers, media companies and generative AI. At the Indiana University Observatory on Social Media, my colleagues and […] … learn more→

How ChatGPT Undermines Motivation to Write and Think  for Oneself

How ChatGPT Undermines Motivation to Write and Think for Oneself

Are students who use AI at risk of losing some valuable writing habits for their thinking and creativity? They are aware that the new tools can change their style and they sometimes feel dispossessed of their texts. Investigation in the United States and Europe. When OpenAI launched its new AI program, ChatGPT, in late 2022, education experts […] … learn more→

Some online conspiracy-spreaders don’t even believe the lies they’re spewing

Some online conspiracy-spreaders don’t even believe the lies they’re spewing

There has been a lot of research on the types of people who believe conspiracy theories, and their reasons for doing so. But there’s a wrinkle: My colleagues and I have found that there are a number of people sharing conspiracies online who don’t believe their own content. They are opportunists. These people share conspiracy theories to […] … learn more→