Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, millions of people have started using large language models to access knowledge. And it’s easy to understand their appeal: Ask a question, get a polished synthesis and move on – it feels like effortless learning. However, a new paper I co-authored offers experimental evidence that this ease […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Learning with AI falls short compared to old-fashioned web search
AI-induced psychosis: the danger of humans and machines hallucinating together
On Christmas Day 2021, Jaswant Singh Chail scaled the walls of Windsor Castle with a loaded crossbow. When confronted by police, he stated: “I’m here to kill the queen.” In the preceding weeks, Chail had been confiding in Sarai, his AI chatbot on a service called Replika. He explained that he was a trained Sith assassin (a reference to […] … learn more→
Could a ‘grey swan’ event bring down the AI revolution? Here are 3 risks we should be preparing for
The term “black swan” refers to a shocking event on nobody’s radar until it actually happens. This has become a byword in risk analysis since a book called The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb was published in 2007. A frequently cited example is the 9/11 attacks. Fewer people have heard of “grey swans”. Derived from Taleb’s work, grey swans […] … learn more→
The ‘doorman fallacy’: why careless adoption of AI backfires so easily
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming commonplace, despite statistics showing that only approximately 7% to 13% (depending on size) of companies have incorporated AI into their regular business workflows. Adoption in specific business functions is far higher, with up to 78% of companies reporting use of AI tools in at least one business area. And more than 90% of […] … learn more→
Assistant robots: benefits for learning another language in early childhood education
Digital technologies have revolutionized teaching methods , communication dynamics between students and teachers, and access to information. Teaching digital natives presents a series of challenges, especially regarding the scope and presence that this technology should have in schools. Although some studies warn that screen exposure before the age of two can affect cognitive and linguistic development, it remains to be determined […] … learn more→
AI is changing who gets hired – what skills will keep you employed?
The consulting firm Accenture recently laid off 11,000 employees while expanding its efforts to train workers to use artificial intelligence. It’s a sharp reminder that the same technology driving efficiency is also redefining what it takes to keep a job. And Accenture isn’t alone. IBM has already replaced hundreds of roles with AI systems, while creating new jobs in sales […] … learn more→
How to ensure youth, parents, educators and tech companies are on the same page on AI
Artificial intelligence is now part of everyday life. It’s in our phones, schools and homes. For young people, AI shapes how they learn, connect and express themselves. But it also raises real concerns about privacy, fairness and control. AI systems often promise personalization and convenience. But behind the scenes, they collect vast amounts of personal data, make predictions […] … learn more→
There is little evidence AI chatbots are ‘bullying kids’ – but this doesn’t mean these tools are safe
Over the weekend, Education Minister Jason Clare sounded the alarm about “AI chatbots bullying kids”. As he told reporters in a press conference to launch a new anti-bullying review, AI chatbots are now bullying kids […] humiliating them, hurting them, telling them they’re losers, telling them to kill themselves. This sounds terrifying. However, evidence it is happening is […] … learn more→
AI heavyweights call for end to ‘superintelligence’ research
I have worked in AI for more than three decades, including with pioneers such as John McCarthy, who coined the term “artificial intelligence” in 1955. In the past few years, scientific breakthroughs have produced AI tools that promise unprecedented advances in medicine, science, business and education. At the same time, leading AI companies have the stated goal to create superintelligence: not merely smarter tools, […] … learn more→
What is AI poisoning? A computer scientist explains
Poisoning is a term most often associated with the human body and natural environments. But it is also a growing problem in the world of artificial intelligence (AI) – in particular, for large language models such as ChatGPT and Claude. In fact, a joint study by the UK AI Security Institute, Alan Turing Institute and Anthropic, published earlier this month, […] … learn more→
