Bot Trained to Provide Students Feedback on Assignments

A communication professor at the University of Washington, developed a custom A.I. chatbot by training it on versions of old assignments that she had graded. It can now give students feedback on their writing that mimics her own at any time, day or night. It has been beneficial for students who are otherwise hesitant to ask for help, she said.  “Is there going to be a point in the foreseeable future that much of what graduate student teaching assistants do can be done by A.I.?” she said. “Yeah, absolutely.” - New York Times

The Importance of Leisure

German philosopher Josef Pieper wrote, “We mistake leisure for idleness, and work for creativity." 

In a world of “total work,” there is no space for contemplation or rest. There is no need for people to be in “harmony with themselves” as long as they are employed. To “know thyself” is a secondary concern, and any sort of break from work is merely in the service of doing more work. 

As Pieper put it:

The simple ”break” from work — the kind that lasts an hour, or the kind that lasts a week or longer — is part and parcel of daily working life. It is something that has been built into the whole working process, a part of the schedule. The ”break” is there for the sake of work. It is supposed to provide ”new strength” for ”new work,” as the word ”refreshment” indicates: one is refreshed for work through being refreshed from work. 

Paul Millerd writing in Quartz

22 Articles about the Business of Running an AI Company

AI Startup Perplexity’s Valuation Surges to $14 Billion in New Funding Round – Wall Street Journal  

Google AI Overviews leads to dramatic reduction in clickthroughs for Mail Online – Press Gazette

How China’s Biggest Chipmaker, SMIC, Could Threaten U.S. AI Dominance - Wall Street Journal

AI Is Not Your Friend How the “opinionated” chatbots destroyed AI’s potential, and how we can fix it – The Atlantic

Reports: US losing edge in AI talent pool - Semafor

Google Plans to Roll Out Its A.I. Chatbot to Children Under 13 – New York Times

Researchers Find Easy Way to Jailbreak Every Major AI, From ChatGPT to Claude -Futurism 

Advanced AI gets more unpredictable - Axios 

Here’s How Big the AI Revolution Really Is, in Four Charts - Wall Street Journal

Sam Altman Admits That Saying "Please" and "Thank You" to ChatGPT Is Wasting Millions of Dollars in Computing Power -Futurism

Immigrant founders are the norm in key U.S. AI firms: study - Axios

Reasoning models don't always say what they think - Anthropic

Nvidia reveals plans to manufacture some AI chips in the U.S. – NBC News 

Oracle to provide cloud computing, AI services to Singapore military – Reuters  

Nvidia to Make AI Supercomputers Entirely in U.S. - Wall Street Journal

AI startup is reportedly aiming for a massive $2B seed round – Tech Crunch

Google unveils Ironwood, its most powerful AI processor yet – ArsTechnica

Meta got caught gaming AI benchmarks to make it appear its new AI model is better than the competition  - The Verge  

Google is in trouble... but this could change everything - and no, it's not AI - ZDnet 

OpenAI and Anthropic are fighting over college students with free AI – The Verge 

Why the AI Revolution Will Require Massive Energy Resources - AEI

Perplexity partners with PayPal for in-chat shopping as AI race heats up – CNBC

Impersonating People with Down Syndrome

AI-generated accounts impersonating people with Down syndrome are spreading across social media. Many of these artificial intelligence-backed profiles are gaining followers faster than real disability advocates — and they're making money from it. For people with Down syndrome, these fake accounts can feel like a new level of discrimination — one where their lived experiences are copied, exaggerated and monetized. -CBS News

The Time Test

If a class of students are allowed an hour to complete an essay test and one student completes her assignment before the time is up, she isn’t penalized, is she? The assignment was to write an essay, not merely to use the time. 

But what if using the time was the assignment? If a person is told to use an entire day profitably, but he becomes bored and diverted by mid-morning, wasting the balance of the day, then his speed is worthless.

The same is true when life is the task. To be finished with life before life has finished with us is to have failed to complete the assignment. 

18 Recent Articles about AI Fakes

Why people are using AI to fake disabilities like Down syndrome online – CBS News

The AI Slop Presidency – 404 media

An AI-created video of a murdered man is used to deliver a victim's statement at a killer's sentencing - BBC

In Battle Against AI-Powered Fraudsters, Colleges Turn to New Weapon – AI – Voice of San Diego

Deepfakes on trial: How judges are navigating AI evidence authentication -Reuters

The Age of Realtime Deepfake Fraud Is Here – 404 media

Reasoning models don't always say what they think - Anthropic

Is this AI or a journalist? Research reveals stylistic differences in news articles – Techxplore  

Nine Ways to Protect Yourself From ‘Impostor’ Voice Scams – Wall Street Journal

A deepfakes bill is flying through Congress. Critics say it’s flawed. – Washington Post

YouTube Turns Off Ad Revenue For Fake Movie Trailer Channels After Deadline Investigation – Deadline

AI Slop Is a Brute Force Attack on the Algorithms That Control Reality – 404 media

Russia seeds chatbots with lies. Any bad actor could game AI the same way. – Washington Post

Researchers raise red flag about AI-generated fake images in biomedical research – Medicalxpress

This ‘College Protester’ Isn’t Real. It’s an AI-Powered Undercover Bot for Cops – 404 media

Major deepfake porn site shuts down – NPR

7 Best Deepfake Detector Tools & Techniques (May 2025) – Unite AI               

Former school athletic director gets 4 months in jail in racist AI deepfake case – Associated Press

The Backfire Effect 

The backfire effect happens when the myth ends up becoming more memorable than the fact. One of the most striking examples of this was seen in a study evaluating a “Myths and Facts” flyer about flu vaccines. Immediately after reading the flyer, participants accurately remembered the facts as facts and the myths as myths. But just 30 minutes later this had been completely turned on its head, with the myths being much more likely to be remembered as “facts”.  The thinking is that merely mentioning the myths actually helps to reinforce them. And then as time passes you forget the context in which you heard the myth – in this case during a debunking – and are left with just the memory of the myth itself. 

Mark Lorch writing in Business Insider  

22 Webinars this week about AI, Journalism & Media

Tue, May 13 - AI-Powered Attacks: How Hackers are Weaponizing Artificial Intelligence

What: Cybercriminals are weaponizing AI for phishing, deepfake social engineering, and LLM-powered malware. Discover how these threats work and the strategies to stay ahead in the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Who: Ali Uzun Senior Solutions Engineer.

When: 11 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: SOC-Radar

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Tue, May 13 - 30 Minute Skills: Writing Workshop 102

What: Once the reporting ends, how should the writing begin? Journalists and other writers often have difficulty structuring their stories and making editing decisions. In this lesson, you'll learn:  An effective blueprint for writing your stories; How to determine what should be cut and what should be included in the final draft; Why "nose-pickers" and "warts" are essential to every profile.

Who: Edward Fitzpatrick, a Rhode Island-based reporter for the Boston Globe.

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: New England Newspaper & Press Association

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Tue, May 13 - Selecting the Right edtech Tools in the Age of AI

What: This session will explore: The need for board policies and administrative guidelines; AI’s role in enhancing student learning while maintaining safety and authenticity; Frameworks for assessing instructional value; Practical use cases to improve efficiency and reduce cognitive load.

Who: Eric Lawson, Director of Technology & Innovation; Ellen Kaschuluk, Assistant Superintendent/Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment at York School Department.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Follett Software

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Tue, May 13 - How Americans Feel About AI—and Why It Matters for Policy

What: A timely discussion of new polling data exploring how U.S. public sentiment toward AI is evolving. The conversation will unpack where Americans see promise or peril, how their views have shifted over the past year, and what these perspectives mean for lawmakers, business leaders, and the future of AI policy.

Who: Daniel Castro, the director of the Center for Data Innovation and vice president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: YouTube & in-person

Cost: Free

Sponsor: The Center for Data Innovation and Public First

More Info

 

Tue, May 13 - Storytelling that Connects and Inspires

What: Tips, techniques and tools to help keep your mission at the forefront, ensuring ethical storytelling and staying top of mind to your audience.

Who: Firespring’s Kiersten Hill.

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Firespring

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Tue, May 13 - Trends in Application Security and Increasing AI Adoption

What: Recent research on the application protection market and modern application security to help security teams solve the challenges they face.

Who: John Grady, Principal Analyst, Network Security & Web Application Security, Enterprise Strategy Group.

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: BrightTalk, Enterprise Strategy Group

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Tue, May 13 - AI Innovator Collaborative

What: Join the collaborative if you’re an ONA member who is already experimenting with AI tools — even if you’re not an expert. This is a regular gathering for members using AI in journalism to connect and share ideas.

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free to members, $25 for students

Sponsor: Online News Association

More Info

 

Tue, May 13 - Journalism Career Essentials In the Mobile Device Era

What: This session will offer a candid discussion on how journalists can adapt to the rapidly changing industry.

Who: Kevin Olivas, News Recruiting Manager, Sinclair

When: 5:30 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: National Association of Hispanic Journalists

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Wed, May 14 - The fundamentals of data storytelling   

What: In data storytelling, less is often more. Knowing how to simplify big concepts or break down large datasets is an essential part of the data storyteller’s toolkit. In this first session of our three-part webinar series, you’ll discover: What makes charts so compelling—and why you should use them; How to remove clutter and boost clarity; How to use charts as a communication channel.

Who: John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times.

When: 10 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Flourish

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Wed, May 14 - Smart Brevity & scaling your comms strategy  

What: A virtual roundtable on how to engage employees and scale your comms strategy.  

Who: Jason Tomassini Axios HQ Head of Services.

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Axios

More Info

 

Wed, May 14 - AI as Your Career Ally: Leveraging Smart Tools to Land Your Next L&D Role

What: In this practical webinar we’ll demonstrate how learning professionals can harness AI to transform their job search process from resume creation to interview preparation. Through live demonstrations and real-world examples, participants will learn how to use free and accessible AI tools to craft standout application materials, identify promising opportunities, prepare for interviews, and showcase their value in a competitive market.

Who: Margie Meacham Founder and Chief Freedom Officer, Learningtogo.ai

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Training Magazine Network

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Wed, May 14 - Evaluating the AI Landscape and Organization Readiness in Medical Writing

What: This webinar will guide you through key considerations for understanding your AI needs, evaluating potential product features, understanding cybersecurity risks, and making informed decisions without getting lost in the technical weeds. We will also showcase AgileWriter™, an AI-enabled document authoring and management platform designed to streamline workflows while supporting high-quality medical writing.

Who: Jeanette Towles, President and owner of Synterex, PhD; Jason Casavant, Executive Director of Medical Writing and Quality Assurance at Synterex; Alex Olinger, Information Technology Manager at Synterex.

When: 1 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free to members

Sponsor: American Medical Writers Association

More Info

 

Wed, May 14 - Harnessing Cloud Storage to Build Smarter AI Agents

What: How to build an AI agent that can query, analyze, and generate insights from company-specific data—all powered by cost-efficient, scalable cloud storage.

Who: Pat Patterson, Chief Technical Evangelist & Jeronimo De Leon, Sr. Product Manager, AI.

When: 1 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: BackBlaze

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Wed, May 14 - Advanced Features for Nonprofits: ChatGPT's Next-Level Tools

What: Explore ChatGPT’s next-level capabilities for more efficient and impactful work. Features include GPTs, Canvas, Projects, and Deep Research. This session is designed for people who have already had several hours of experimentation with a generative AI tool such as ChatGPT. No knowledge of computer science, machine learning, coding or even how AI actually works is necessary - this is an entirely practical session.

Who: Rich Leimsider is the Director of the AI for Nonprofits Sprint; Mohammed Husein Solutions Engineer, OpenAI.

When: 1:30 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: OpenAI Academy

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Wed, May 14 - The Core Principles of AI

What: You’ll learn: How good data fundamentals and governance are essential for AI to function properly; The security and privacy risks associated with AI; Use cases from successful agencies who have piloted AI programs responsibly

Who: Jason Lally, Chief Data Officer, California; Damien Eversmann, Principal Chief Architect, Education, Red Hat; Murtaza Masood, Managing Director, State & Local Government, Box; Francisco R. Ramirez, Chief Architect, State & Local Government, Red Hat; Jared Vichengrad, Head of Public Sector, Check Point

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: GovLoop

More Info

 

Wed, May 14 - Press Freedom Defense Fund Workshop

What: This workshop is designed to equip journalists with practical strategies to maintain control over their digital workflows. We will provide the knowledge and frameworks needed to identify AI risks, implement effective solutions, and develop policies that safeguard journalism in a digital ecosystem.

Who: Nikita Mazurov is a security researcher focusing on source protection at The Intercept and the Fund; David S. Bralow is the chief legal officer of The Intercept and co-director of the Fund; Sumi Aggarwal is The Intercept’s chief strategy officer and an investigative reporter and editor.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: The Press Freedom Defense Fund

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Wed, May 14 - AI for Freelancers

What: Join us for a virtual training series for journalists looking to get started with AI tools in news. From the basics of generative AI to image generation, data journalism, audience engagement and writing effective prompts, we will cover how to use these technologies, ethics, legal issues and more.

Who: Mike Reilley Senior Lecturer, University of Illinois-Chicago.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Online News Association

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Wed, May 14 - Moving Beyond Efficiency: Strategically Leveraging AI in Learning and Development

What: This webinar will delve into the concept of viewing AI as a transformative disruption, rather than a transactional tool. Drawing insights from the early adoption and evolution of AI at Golin and Publicis Groupe, we will highlight the crucial alignment of AI initiatives with overarching business objectives.

Who: Joe Leslie Global AI L&D Lead, Golin.

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Open Sesame

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Thu, May 15 - The Impact of Student Reporting Programs

What: The preliminary results of the annual benchmark study by the Center for Community News (The University of Vermont) measuring the breadth and impact of university-led reporting across the country. We will here directly on the latest research into the success of these programs from research leaders at CCN and around the country.

Who: Duc Luu, Director of Journalism at the Knight Foundation; Sima Bhowmik, Post-Doctoral Researcher at CCN.

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: University of Vermont

More Info

 

Thu, May 15 - How to Master On-Camera Reporting

What: This webinar will offer valuable techniques for developing a captivating presence as a reporter and will discuss his methods for producing engaging video explainers, vertical videos, and other hosted content. Participants will gain exclusive insights into his creative workflow, which includes behind-the-scenes snippets of outtakes, editing choices, and scriptwriting techniques. This is a fantastic opportunity to improve your skills and capture the attention of video consumers.

Who: Alex Clark is a producer for CBS News Confirmed, covering AI, misinformation and their real-world impact.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Video Consortium

More Info

 

Thu, May 15 - Narrating America, Reporting for People

What: The winners of the 2024–2025 David Nyhan Prizes for Public Policy Journalism in a conversation about their work and the importance of journalism that centers the people most impacted by political and public policy decisions.

Who: Cynthia Tucker, Journalist and Pulitzer-Prize-winning commentator; Michael Harriot, Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, poet, and public historian; Rose Conlon, Reporter.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Harvard Kennedy School

More Info

 

Fri, May 16 - AI Journalism Lab: LEADERSHIP Showcase

What: A sandbox for journalists to explore how AI is reshaping managerial roles and decision-making processes in newsrooms and media organizations.  In this panel, program participants will take turns with 5-minute presentations showcasing their capstone AI projects. 

Who: Moderator Anita Zielina, program lead instructor; ​Reina Kempt, Assistant Managing Editor/National Data Automation and Newsletter Editor, Gannett Center for Community Journalism; ​Aisling McCabe, Strategy and Business Development Director, The Irish Times Group; ​Alba Mora Roca, Executive Producer, AJ+;  Martin Schori, Director of Editorial AI & Innovation, Aftonbladet; Lina Al-Ejeilat, Executive Editor, 7iber.

When: 11 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: AI Journalism Lab

More Info

err in the direction of kindness

Below is part of a commencement speech given by George Saunder on May 11, 2013.

Accomplishment is unreliable. “Succeeding,” whatever that might mean to you, is hard, and the need to do so constantly renews itself (success is like a mountain that keeps growing ahead of you as you hike it), and there’s the very real danger that “succeeding” will take up your whole life, while the big questions go untended.

Since, according to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving: Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now. There’s a confusion in each of us, a sickness, really: selfishness. But there’s also a cure. So be a good and proactive and even somewhat desperate patient on your own behalf — seek out the most efficacious anti-selfishness medicines, energetically, for the rest of your life.

Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) – but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial. That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality — your soul, if you will — is as bright and shining as any that has ever been. Bright as Shakespeare’s, bright as Gandhi’s, bright as Mother Teresa’s. Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret luminous place. Believe it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly.

And someday, in 80 years, when you’re 100, and I’m 134, and we’re both so kind and loving we’re nearly unbearable, drop me a line, let me know how your life has been. I hope you will say: It has been so Wonderful.

If you are Graduating from College: 20 Tips for Job-Hunting Seniors

Ask yourself: Am I keeping myself physically, psychologically, and spiritually healthy? If the answer is ‘no’ then stop looking for new ways to feel guilty and allow yourself to breathe. Give time to self-care. Don’t pile more on top of yourself when you are already sliding backward. Secondly, are there members of your family in need of support? Make that your next priority.  

If those areas are in good shape, below are some steps to consider for the best career launch when the cloud lifts and you can move forward. Take them with a grain of salt. Avoid comparing yourself to others and ask what is reasonable for you to do, given your time and situation. Think of this as a “choose your adventure” exercise. Set attainable goals for a sense of control in a moment of change.

1. Update your resume: No mistakes, and it must be easy to scan. Have you included your social media? Every employer will check your social media and Google you. You should do that yourself. You’ll find more specific resume recommendations here

2. Speaking of social: Give yourself a social media makeover. Look for inappropriate or unfocused tweets, posts, and Instagram stories, then reconsider your privacy settings, clearly define your audience, etc. You’ll find makeover suggestions here. Don’t forget LinkedIn (if your industry uses it).

3. Reverse engineer your career: Look up jobs that interest you and see what’s missing from your resume or needs shoring up. What can you do now, before you leave school? What equipment do you have access to right now that you won’t have access to later? Perhaps there are holes in your knowledge of software commonly used in your field. Get up to speed on professional programs like Excel, InDesign, or Premiere Pro.

4. Gather all your supporting materials now so you aren’t scrambling when a prospective employee asks for various kinds of writing samples. Do you have recommendation letters, headshots, thank you notes, etc.? 

5. Work on your elevator pitch. Create a compelling speech about your professional life that lasts no more than 15 seconds. Pick up some ideas about this personal branding exercise here. Try your pitch on others for feedback. 

6. Create a list of job sites you will visit once a week. Start with Indeed and look for lists (often in social media) produced by groups dedicated to your industry. FYI: Your first job or two is not a lifelong commitment. Your path is likely to be circuitous. Aim at moving in the right general direction rather than getting there in one big leap.

7. Create Google alerts to bring you articles from Google News related to your industry by using keywords. Stay on top of the trends and barriers it faces.  Pro tip: Set a Google alert on your name, so you’ll know when someone has posted something about you online.

8. Try some mock interviews with friends. They can grab some typical questions off of the internet to throw at you. Better yet, Zoom it because your next job interview might be a video conference. Do you come across professionally? Flattering lighting? Easy to hear? Camera at eye level?

9. Are there contests offered by professional organizations in your field for which you could submit entries? Pick two or three of these organizations to join.

10. Be ready to answer in a job interview, “What new skills are you learning between semesters or during the self-quarantine of the pandemic?” Show that you use your time wisely.  

11. Develop more life skills. If you haven’t already done so, put effort into learning to cook, doing your own laundry, etc. Try Googling, “What college students should be able to do on their own.”

12. Educate yourself on your student loans. When are you supposed to start paying it off? Do You have deferral options?

13. Cut costs and budget. Where can you stop spending? If you don’t have a budget, make one—even if it is just a projected one. Know where your money is going. How much money can you spend on job hunting?

14. Work on a nonprofit. You can help others while developing your specialized skills in just a few hours a week.  

15. Read articles about job hunting. You’ll find many on my site Goforth Job Tips. Start with the career advice articles and move on to those about resumes and interviews.  

16. You’ll find a list of hundreds of “tech toolshere. Learn a few digital tricks to set yourself apart. Play around. See what’s out there that can make your life easier. A place to start: Pick a platform (like Wix) to create a website that will house projects you’ve completed showing what you can do.

17. While building a website, buy your own domain name. Mine is www.StephenGoforth.com. It’s easy to do at places like GoDaddy.  

18. Pick up some books (online or physical) and listen to some podcasts that either distract you for a few moments and fire your imagination or else educate you about your chosen field. Pro tip: connect with someone who does hiring in your industry and ask for reading/listening recommendations.  

19. Contact professionals for advice on what you should be doing. Don’t ask for a job—ask them to have a cup of coffee with you (by video conference, of course) and then ask questions and listen. Ask your professors who they would recommend you seek out—then ask the same question each time you finish having coffee with a pro.  

20. Attend webinars offered by professional groups in your field. Joining online events is a way to add a line to your resume while learning a few things.  

Finally, don’t try to take on everything at once. Focus on what you can do today; just that one step in front of you.

Stephen Goforth

AI Definitions: R

R - This open-source and widely supported scripting language is used by data scientists managing large, complex data sets. R is considered the best language to combine statistical computing with mathematics and graphics. It is particularly useful when creating AI applications such as computer vision, natural language processing, and predictive modeling.

More AI definitions here.

The superstar's weakest spot 

What's the simplest way to diminish the skills of a superstar talent (short of inflicting an injury)? What would be the surest method of ensuring that LeBron James started clinking jump shots, or that Yo-Yo Ma started fudging chords? The answer: don't let them practice for a month. Causing skill to evaporate doesn’t require chromosomal rejiggering or black-ops psychological maneuvers.

It only requires that you stop a skilled person from systematically firing his or her circuit for a mere 30 days. Their muscles won't have changed; their much vaunted genes and character will remain unaltered; but you will have touched their talent at the weakest spot in its armor.

Daniel Coyle, The Talent Code

Sharing photos may subtly change how we remember

When we’re hunting for the perfect Instagram shot, we’re not listening, we’re not smelling, we’re not always paying attention to the beautiful, complex minutiae that make up the moment.  

Powerful experiences in the real world are immersive and often engage all the senses. On your last vacation, can you remember what the wind felt like on your back? Do you remember what was going on internally: Were you thrilled, excited, or scared? When you look back on the Instagram photos from the trip, will you remember what a dinner tasted like, or just that it was pretty?  

Brian Resnick writing in Vox