Social media influencers have become cultural powerhouses, setting trends, shaping lifestyles and even swaying political views. As their influence grows, so do ethical debates about them: are they villains exploiting their audiences, victims of an unregulated industry or champions driving positive change? In our chapter in the recently released book, Influencer Marketing, we synthesized existing literature to […] … learn more→
Are influencers villains, victims or champions of change? The reality is more complex
Dealing with perfectionism
Some academic writers are crippled by the desire to write perfect prose from the very start. Even though they know that the first draft is always rough, they find writing rough difficult. They have what writing advice calls an over-active inner critic. Rather than saving that little critical voice for reading and refining the first […] … learn more→
Your WhatsApp messages could get you sacked
It’s late evening and your phone vibrates with some banter from colleagues. You join the conversation and go to bed feeling part of the work community. You then wake up and have a feeling of apprehension as to how the messages will be perceived. WhatsApp might have started as a casual messaging app for friends, […] … learn more→
Seven methods to achieve optimal academic performance
Let’s imagine two students with similar abilities in different academic, social, and family environments. Logic tells us that the better the environmental conditions (quality teaching, a stimulating environment, personalized attention, or a family atmosphere conducive to study), the better their academic results will be. And yet, we often encounter students who, against all odds, achieve […] … learn more→
Rewarding is not the same as motivating: how dopamine works in learning
Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the brain. It’s involved in essential functions such as movement, motivation, and learning . It’s often referred to as the “pleasure neurotransmitter” because it’s so prevalent in reward systems: those that drive us to repeat things that make us feel good. But its function goes much further: it also influences how we make […] … learn more→
Should readers know if a news story was written by AI? The ethical challenge of modern journalism
Should a newspaper reader know that what they are reading was written with the help of artificial intelligence (AI)? Can journalists guarantee that a text generated with this technology does not contain sexist biases? These and other ethical dilemmas will become increasingly common in media newsrooms, which need to innovate while maintaining journalistic principles. In […] … learn more→
Is AI sparking a cognitive revolution that will lead to mediocrity and conformity?
Artificial Intelligence began as a quest to simulate the human brain. Is it now in the process of transforming the human brain’s role in daily life? The Industrial Revolution diminished the need for manual labor. As someone who researches the application of AI in international business, I can’t help but wonder whether it is spurring a cognitive revolution, obviating […] … learn more→
Researchers created a chatbot to help teach a university law class – but the AI kept messing up
“AI tutors” have been hyped as a way to revolutionise education. The idea is generative artificial intelligence tools (such as ChatGPT) could adapt to any teaching style set by a teacher. The AI could guide students step-by-step through problems and offer hints without giving away answers. It could then deliver precise, immediate feedback tailored to the […] … learn more→
Airbnb scams: new book explores thriving criminal activity on big tech platforms
How do the scams work? Airbnb is the world’s largest accommodation-sharing platform. It connects property owners who want to rent out their homes with travellers looking for alternatives to traditional hotels. The company recently expanded its offering and now facilitates the booking of other services like personal trainers or caterers along with accommodation rentals. Airbnb scams happen […] … learn more→
Prime numbers, the building blocks of mathematics, have fascinated for centuries − now technology is revolutionizing the search for them
A shard of smooth bone etched with irregular marks dating back 20,000 years puzzled archaeologists until they noticed something unique – the etchings, lines like tally marks, may have represented prime numbers. Similarly, a clay tablet from 1800 B.C.E. inscribed with Babylonian numbers describes a number system built on prime numbers. As the Ishango bone, the Plimpton 322 […] … learn more→