AI in Education Bi-weekly Digest - Issue #14

Welcome to the 14th issue! In this newsletter, we have a variety of exciting events, news, articles, and tools to share. Upcoming events include a seminar on ethical citing of AI-generated content and the use of AI-powered tools in research. Another seminar will discuss AI innovations in higher education, including the use of generative chatbots and AI-content-detecting tools to combat AI-assisted cheating. In the news, researchers have made a breakthrough in deciphering ancient Roman scrolls using AI, and New York City has developed an "action plan" for evaluating and implementing AI technologies responsibly. Articles cover topics such as the importance of handwriting skills, the impact of ChatGPT on research, and the bias problem in AI. Additionally, there are tools available, including an animated drawings tool developed by Meta AI Research. Enjoy exploring the world of AI in education!

Upcoming Events:

[Online Semniar] Empowering Research in the GenAI Era: Harnessing AI Tools and Referencing AI-Generated Content - Expand your horizons and embrace the future of GenAI and research. This exhilarating seminar will take you on a captivating journey into the world of GenAI and research. Delve into two pivotal aspects that hold immense importance: ethical citing of AI-generated content and harnessing the power of AI-powered tools. With over 400 registrants already on board, don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be part of this transformative event.

[Online Semniar] AI Innovations in Higher Education: Cultivating an Ecosystem, Budgeting Adoption of Generative Chatbot, and Content Detector - Join us for an insightful seminar on AI Innovations for Higher Education, featuring the holistic infrastructure the City University of Hong Kong developed to support AI innovation in teaching and learning, discussion of the performance and cost-effectiveness of generative chatbots, specifically ChatGPT and the effectiveness of AI-content-detecting tools in combating AI-assisted cheating.

[Online Survey] Teachers' AI Perceptions and Readiness - We kindly invite teaching staff from universities and higher institutions to share their valuable views and comments on the utilization of AI in teaching and learning. Your insights are crucial in helping us gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of AI on education and in shaping its future role in the field. Your contribution will greatly contribute to advancing the field and ensuring its effectiveness in enhancing the learning experience.

News and Interviews:

AI Deciphers Unopened Ancient Roman Scroll Charred by Volcanic Eruption 2,000 Years Ago - Researchers have made a breakthrough in deciphering ancient scrolls from the library of a luxury villa in the Roman town of Herculaneum, which were destroyed in AD79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and a particle accelerator, the researchers were able to scan the scrolls and extract legible words without physically disturbing them. The breakthrough has rekindled hope for the recovery of countless other ancient texts and could significantly reshape our understanding of the past.

New York City Unveils An 'Artificial Intelligence Action Plan' - New York City Mayor Eric Adams has unveiled a citywide AI "action plan" aimed at evaluating AI tools, boosting AI skills among city employees, and supporting responsible implementation of AI technologies. Mayor Adams acknowledged the potential risks of AI and expressed a commitment to striking a balance between deploying technologies that improve lives and protecting against harmful ones.

This is How College Professors Know You're Cheating with AI - College professors are reporting an increase in AI cheating as artificial intelligence becomes more proficient at writing sophisticated essays. In an interview with CNN, these professors shared some telltale signs that make it easy to identify such cheating instances.

Belt And Road Forum: China Launches AI Framework, Urging Equal Rights And Opportunities for All Nations - China has proposed a framework for artificial intelligence (AI) called the Global AI Governance Initiative. The framework calls for "equal rights" in AI development, regardless of a country's political systems. China's initiative emphasizes mutual respect and opposes ideological divisions and barriers in AI development. It also calls for a people-centered approach, ethics, and increased representation of developing countries in AI governance.

Articles & Blogs:

The Best Thing I Learned at School Can't Be Replaced by AI. It Requires Hours of Reptition - And Good Grip - The author reflects on the importance of good handwriting and fast typing skills, stating that they will always be valuable despite advances in technology. The author highlights the benefits of learning typing skills, emphasizing their usefulness in various professional contexts. They argue that handwriting and typing skills should be highly valued by educators and employers, as they will continue to be important skills in the future.

AI Pioneer: ChatGPT Will Soon Become Scholars' 'Debate Partner' – Yike Guo, a professor and provost at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), has been researching artificial intelligence (AI) for nearly three decades. He oversaw the adoption of ChatGPT, an AI tool, at HKUST and encouraged its use in teaching. Guo believes that ChatGPT will revolutionize research and become an intellectual sparring partner for academics in the near future.

The A-Z of AI: 30 Terms You Need to Understand Artificial Intelligence – Similar to previous technological revolutions, AI has introduced new terms such as "alignment" and "prompt engineering." To keep up with these developments, BBC has created an A-Z list of AI-related words to aid comprehension of how AI is influencing our world.

These Books Are Being Used to Train AI. No One Told The Authors – The use of pirated e-books to train artificial intelligence (AI) systems by major tech companies has sparked controversy. The AI system, called Books3, relies on a dataset of pirated e-books covering various genres. The revelation has led to lawsuits against companies using Books3. The issue highlights concerns about the exploitation of writers and the broader implications of AI in the creative industry.

Three Effective, Efficient, and Easily Implementable Ways to Integrate AI into Medical Education - The article highlights the importance of teaching AI literacy to help students frame relevant questions and obtain actionable insights. Additionally, students should be trained to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated information. The author argues against making coding a mandatory part of the curriculum, as it may be met with resistance and is not necessary for students to leverage AI tools effectively.

How Generative AI Can Boost Highly Skilled Workers' Productivity - A study on the impact of generative AI on highly skilled workers reveals that when AI is used within its capabilities, it can improve performance by up to 40%. However, when AI is used outside its boundaries, performance drops by 19%. The study recommends steps for introducing generative AI to a highly skilled workforce, including understanding which tasks can be performed by AI and maintaining cognitive effort and expert judgment when working with AI.

What Will It Take to Fix AI's Bias Problem? - The article discusses the bias problem in AI and its impact on various aspects of society, such as education and information dissemination. The author highlights that AI, particularly large-language models (LLMs), is only as good as the input data it receives. The article provides examples of bias in AI, including a case where AI altered a student's photo to make her appear more professional by lightening her skin. The author emphasizes the need for diverse and inclusive data to train AI and address biases. The article also explores the potential future inclusivity of AI and its impact on book bans. The author calls for regulations and accountability in AI development and usage.

Tools/Resources:

Disclaimer: AI in Education has no affiliation with any highlighted free or commercial products in this section.

Animated Drawings - The tool developed by Meta AI Research enables individuals to generate a drawing, upload an image of the drawing, and witness it being transformed into an animated version. Key expresses his enthusiasm for this tool, highlighting its potential in educational settings, as it appeals to children's desire to see their drawings brought to life through animation.

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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the linked posts are those of the speakers and or their entities and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the project AI in Education, Centre for Learning Enhancement And Research, and The Chinese University of Hong Kong.