We are regularly bombarded with information about a steep drop in attention spans. Based on its own data in 2015, Microsoft reported that the average attention span had dropped from about 12 seconds for millennials to eight seconds for gen Z. And as the new Premier League season kicked off, UEFA introduced a new “eight seconds rule” stating a […] … learn more→

You’ve probably encountered images in your social media feeds that look like a cross between photographs and computer-generated graphics. Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood? These are examples of AI slop, low- to mid-quality content […] … learn more→

Coach Smith was an easy hire as the head coach of a new high school lacrosse team in Tennesseee: She had two decades of coaching experience and a doctorate in sport and exercise science. After signing the paperwork, which guaranteed a stipend of US$1,200, Smith – we’re using a pseudonym to protect her identity – […] … learn more→

With the rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), teachers have been thrust into a new and ever-shifting classroom reality. The public, including many students, now has widespread access to GenAI tools and large language models (LLMs). Students sometimes use these tools with schoolwork. School boards have taken different approaches to regulating or integrating tech in classrooms. Teachers, meanwhile, […] … learn more→

When you chat with ChatGPT, it often feels like you’re talking to someone polite, engaged and responsive. It nods in all the right places, mirrors your wording and seems eager to keep the exchange flowing. But is this really what human conversation sounds like? Our new study shows that while ChatGPT plausibly imitates dialogue, it does so in […] … learn more→

The middle is a hard place to be. The middle of a thesis or a book can be excruciating. Things are underway, but not finished. The end is in sight, but not yet reached. In the middle, it’s easy to lose faith in the direction you’re travelling. One of my PhD mentors, Dr Diane Mulcahy, used […] … learn more→

The myth of ideal academic writing time persists. We all long to be in a quiet office, surrounded by books, with hours of uninterrupted time to craft elegant arguments. But the reality is very different. Most of us juggle teaching loads, administrative duties, family responsibilities and the general push and pull of just living. That’s bad […] … learn more→

In 2025, students in arts, business and law courses pay nearly A$17,000 for a year of university study. This means it costs more than $50,000 for a three-year degree. University leaders have been blaming these high fees for lower enrolments. On Wednesday, Universities Australia chair and Griffith University Vice-Chancellor Carolyn Evans told the National Press Club, recent fee increases […] … learn more→