Imagine a child who, after seeing a ball roll behind a sofa, instinctively knows that it continues to exist and can anticipate the precise spot where it will reappear. This fundamental ability, which psychology calls object permanence , forms a cornerstone of human intelligence. We don’t simply react to the images that strike our retinas; we are […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
“World models”: when artificial intelligence learns to understand the world
So your new ‘co‑worker’ is an AI agent – here’s how to make the best of your human‑machine relationship
Judging by a slew of recent corporate announcements, your next “co-worker” might be an artificial intelligence agent – doing the work of an assistant, job scheduler, morning debriefer, learning coach and more. JPMorgan Chase, the largest U.S. bank, describes a clear vision for a new world of omnipresent AI agents: “Every employee will have their […] … learn more→
Built to outlast finals: How to choose school furniture that stays with you for life
School furniture takes a beating. From frantic study sessions to late-night cramming, from dorm rooms to first apartments, the pieces you choose early on can follow you through some of the biggest chapters of your life — if you pick them right. Here’s how to choose school furniture that actually lasts. Start with the Frame […] … learn more→
Who gets left behind in Australia’s open access strategy?
I’ve been thinking about Australian’s recent Open Access (OA) deal now that the dust has settled on the recent showdown with Elsevier. After all, we’d been spending some $500 million to $1 billion per year on journal subscriptions (an eye‑watering 5–10% of our national research spend), so it feels sensible to negotiate as a national bloc. But the […] … learn more→
Reading complex texts and handwriting: the only technologies that guarantee deep learning
The history of human evolution is inextricably linked to that of technology. Each new tool facilitates or enables the acquisition of new skills, which contributes to our progress as a species. Therefore, technological advances often arrive in the field of education with great promise. This is the case with digitization: the incorporation of devices, educational […] … learn more→
How should schools teach AI? 3 models to consider
Students across Canada are exposed to artificial intelligence (AI) whether through search engines, writing assistants, automated recommendation systems or social media. That everyday exposure raises a first, fundamental question: What should students should learn about AI? This goal is often described as AI literacy, which combines conceptual understanding with responsible use and critical judgment about AI. A […] … learn more→
International students: artificial intelligence tools to reduce the language barrier?
French higher education attracted nearly 450,000 international students in 2024-2025, placing France 7th in the world. They represent almost 15% of the student population in French universities. Student mobility is constantly increasing . In Europe, there have been more organized mobility programs in ten years than in the previous twenty-seven years, with demand in 2025 up 9% compared to 2024. This acceleration is […] … learn more→
Key word – coherence in research design
Coherence in research design is not the same as coherence in academic writing, although the two are related. Research design coherence is sometimes described through the metaphor of a red thread, one continuous line of logic running from the question through every subsequent decision. This metaphor is a just a little bit too tidy, research […] … learn more→
Evolvable AI: are we on the brink of the next major evolutionary transition?
What happens when natural selection, the most powerful process driving change in the living world, shapes artificial intelligence (AI), perhaps the most potent technology humanity has invented to date? We might be about to find out. According to a new paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we are entering the era of […] … learn more→
Why the world needs the UN to keep an eye on AI
AI doesn’t have a boss. It doesn’t really care about rules. And most of us don’t have any say over what it will do next. Yet the technology is all around us, firmly established in workplaces, financial systems, healthcare and defence. So maybe it needs someone to keep an eye on its progress and set some boundaries. […] … learn more→
