After months of uncertainty about whether the federal government would revise its guidelines for how colleges work with online program management firms and other outside providers, the Education Department said last month that it would do so early next year. Depending on how it is written and what is ultimately approved, the guidance could dramatically alter the relationships between colleges and OPMs, which offer an array of services to help institutions build, market and operate their online academic programs.
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
ChatGPT passes neurology exam for first time - David Attlee, Coin Telegraph
OpenAI’s latest update of its large language model (LLM), ChatGPT-4.0, has passed a clinical neurology exam with 85% correct answers in a proof-of-concept study. The research authors believe that after some fine-tuning, LLMs could have “significant applications” in clinical neurology. The results of the experiment, conducted by a group of researchers from the University Hospital Heidelberg and the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg, were published on Dec. 7. The test, performed on May 31, featured two LLMs, ChatGPT-3.5 and its later version, ChatGPT-4.0. The researchers used the bank of questions for a neurology exam from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with a small cohort of questions from the European Board for Neurology. The average human score was 73.8%.
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact - Dame Vivian Hunt, et al; McKinsey
Diversity Matters Even More is the fourth report in a McKinsey series investigating the business case for diversity, following Why Diversity Matters (2015), Delivering Through Diversity (2018), and Diversity Wins (2020). For almost a decade through our Diversity Matters series of reports, McKinsey has delivered a comprehensive global perspective on the relationship between leadership diversity and company performance. This year, the business case is the strongest it has been since we’ve been tracking and, for the first time in some areas, equitable representation is in sight. Further, a striking new finding is that leadership diversity is also convincingly associated with holistic growth ambitions, greater social impact, and more satisfied workforces.
Monday, December 18, 2023
How GenAI Could Accelerate Employee Learning and Development - Chrysanthos Dellarocas, Harvard Business Review
n our AI-driven era, reskilling is a critical strategic goal for every organization. However, traditional learning-and-development methods often fall short, being costly, ineffective, and unable to keep pace with rapidly evolving skill requirements. The rise of generative AI offers transformative opportunities to revolutionize and personalize learning experiences. This article delves into some emerging uses of generative AI in learning and development, while also addressing challenges and providing guidance for leaders navigating this domain.
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Why you should incorporate gamification into your L&D programs - BARNANA SARKAR, Moodle
A recent survey revealed that 95% of employees in an organisation prefer a gamified work and training experience, as they find aspects of gamification enjoyable. This trend is mirrored by job seekers, where 78% of them stated that gamification could play a significant role in making a company or a particular role more appealing to them during the recruitment process. The impact of gamification goes beyond employees’ personal preference, as it significantly contributes to productivity and on-the-job engagement. In addition to immediate performance benefits, incorporating gamification into learning and development (L&D) programs results in increased engagement among learners, ensuring their commitment to completing the training program.
Saturday, December 16, 2023
AI in 2023: A year of breakthroughs that left no human thing unchanged - Jason Perlow, ZDNet
AI's profound transformation this year was marked by advancements in open-source AI, licensing debates, and the emergence of powerful generative AI models. Despite these impressive strides, the proliferation of generative AI models raised ethical concerns this year. Issues such as biases in AI-generated content and the urgent need for transparency in AI development gained prominence, and the industry grappled with ensuring ethical and accountable AI usage as AI continued integrating into diverse sectors. The interplay between AI and employment witnessed substantial changes, marked by growing automation and shifts in job market dynamics. The use of AI in automating routine tasks across industries led to efficiency gains, but raised concerns about job displacement, particularly in roles involving repetitive tasks. This shift prompted the emergence of new opportunities in AI maintenance, oversight, and ethical governance.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Gemini AI is more powerful than Chat GPT: Five special things about this Google too - EMMANUAL, News Track Live
In the realm of artificial intelligence, Gemini AI emerges as a powerful contender, surpassing even the renowned Chat GPT. Let's delve into the five distinctive features that make this Google tool stand out. Gemini AI showcases an unparalleled prowess in semantic understanding. Unlike Chat GPT, it goes beyond surface-level comprehension, grasping the nuances of language to provide more contextually relevant responses. This deep understanding leads to more meaningful interactions and a user experience that feels remarkably human.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Expanding Horizons with Microcredential Initiatives - Lisa Templeton, Illumination Podcast Modern Campus
As microcredentials become embedded in the institutional strategy, it is imperative for higher ed leaders to prioritize accessibility and foster a culture of collaboration. This entails ensuring access across campus and securing the commitment of all stakeholders, resulting in a seamless and effective implementation.
https://moderncampus.com/podcast/episode-onehundredtwentyeight.html
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Employers willing to pay ‘premium’ for AI-skilled workers, survey finds - Alexei Alexis, Higher Ed Dive
Hiring workers with artificial intelligence skills is a priority for nearly three quarters (73%) of employers, but the majority of them are struggling to find such talent, according to a recent survey commissioned by Amazon Web Services. Organizations indicated they would be willing to hike pay levels for AI-skilled workers across business functions, with salaries potentially rising by an average of 43% in sales and marketing; 42% in finance; 37% in legal, regulatory, and compliance; and 35% in human resources. “The anticipated pay premiums across departments is because AI’s key benefits — automating tasks, boosting creativity, and improving outcomes — have dispersed applications across departments and tasks,” the report said. “Employers anticipate that workers with AI skills will be able to drive additional productivity and higher-quality work, which would command a salary increase.
https://www.highereddive.com/news/employers-pay-more-ai-skills/700920/
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
The Ivy League Gets Attention, but Public Universities Are Far More Important - Naomi Oreskes, Scientific American
Media attention to Ivy League schools distracts from the much more important—and undersupported—public university system. The past decades have seen huge increases in costs at public institutions of higher education. Measured in constant dollars, in the 1963–1964 academic year, tuition, room and board at four-year public institutions was $8,491. By 2021–2022 that figure was $21,878—almost three times as high. Declining state support is a major contributor to rising fees—and not just in “red” states. At the University of California, San Diego—where I taught for many years—the share of revenues that came from state support declined from 32 percent in 2002 to 15 percent in 2020; similar patterns can be found broadly. According to the National Education Association, “across the U.S., 32 states spent less on public colleges and universities in 2020 than in 2008, with an average decline of nearly $1,500 per student. As a result, students need to pay (and borrow) more.”
Monday, December 11, 2023
From Digital Native to AI-Empowered: Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence - Kim Round, Campus Technology
The artificial intelligence revolution is upon us, marking a significant leap for the future of both work and education. Unlike past technological surges, this one resonates similarly to the widespread adoption of the Web in the 90s. And as someone deeply involved in the nexus of learning and technology with a focus on learning experience design (LxD), I see key similarities and differentiators as AI emerges. Perhaps most striking is that AI adoption by the general public is advancing at a pace surpassing that of its digital forebear. The progression is notably more rapid; the adoption more ubiquitous; and the potential reach near limitless. AI innovations emerge within days, in contrast to the months-long development cycles of early 2000s Web applications.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Indiana Supreme Court upholds ban on class action suits over higher education pandemic policies - Brandon Smith, IPB News
A state law banning class action lawsuits against Indiana colleges and universities over their COVID-19 policies is constitutional, according to a new ruling from the Indiana Supreme Court. The decision issued Wednesday comes from a student’s lawsuit against Ball State. Keller Mellowitz sued Ball State, seeking a refund after in-person classes were canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic. And he sued on behalf of himself and other students — a class action. But the Indiana legislature passed a law, HEA 1002-2021, banning class actions against higher education institutions related to their handling of COVID-19. Mellowitz argued that law was unconstitutional because it interfered with court procedures, which should be the sole purview of the judiciary.
Saturday, December 9, 2023
In digital and AI transformations, start with the problem, not the technology - Eric Lamarre, McKinsey
Digital and AI transformations are everywhere. Almost every company has done, is doing, or plans to do one. But how can you make the changes stick? In this episode of the Inside the Strategy Room podcast, McKinsey senior partner Eric Lamarre talks about the critical elements of what it takes to rewire an organization through making fundamental changes to talent, operating model, and technology and data capabilities. Eric Lamarre: "It should always start with the business problem you want to solve. When it starts that way, there is usually a good ending because the problem eventually ties back to serving customers better and delivering more value for the company. When business leaders say, “That’s the problem I want to solve with technology,” it becomes easier to develop the technology road map to solve that problem."
Friday, December 8, 2023
1 big thing: DC's hottest new job — chief AI officer - Ina Fried, Ryan Heath - Axios
Hundreds of agencies across the federal government are scrambling to find more than 400 chief AI officers by the end of the year, as Ryan reports. Why it matters: The requirement, one of the edicts of President Biden's recent AI executive order, aims to make sure every arm of government has a top exec who is ready to deal with AI. Driving the news: The Office of Management and Budget released guidance to federal agencies on how to implement Biden's AI executive order — and how to hire a chief AI officer (CAIO) is on top of that list. The Executive Office of the President is also required to hire a Chief AI Officer, per the memorandum's definition of federal agencies. The order gave agencies a 60-day window to designate a person for this role and we are now approximately halfway through that window.
Thursday, December 7, 2023
U.S., U.K., and Global Partners Release Secure AI System Development Guidelines - Hacker News
The U.K. and U.S., along with international partners from 16 other countries, have released new guidelines for the development of secure artificial intelligence (AI) systems. "The approach prioritizes ownership of security outcomes for customers, embraces radical transparency and accountability, and establishes organizational structures where secure design is a top priority," the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) said. The goal is to increase cyber security levels of AI and help ensure that the technology is designed, developed, and deployed in a secure manner, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) added.
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Bold Predictions for GPT-5: The Next Leap in AI Evolution - AICavaleiro, Medium.com
As GPT-4 continues to astound us with its capabilities, the AI community is already buzzing with speculation about what GPT-5 might bring. Based on the trajectory of advancements from GPT-3 to GPT-4, here are some bold predictions about the capabilities and functionalities we might see in GPT-5. One of the most anticipated developments in GPT-5 is the creation of internal autonomous agents specialized in specific tasks. This could mean experiencing an AI that seamlessly handles complex projects by delegating tasks to expert AI agents in fields like research, bug testing, and mathematics. Such a system would present as a singular, all-capable AI but operate through a network of specialized sub-agents.·
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Five Ways Higher Education Can Leverage Generative AI - Renee Laverdiere, et al, Boston Consulting Group
Across all industries, equal measures of excitement and anxiety are accompanying these rapid changes; however, the concern seems particularly acute in higher education. Educators and administrators are being compelled to react quickly to a technology that can reshape research, writing, and individual program areas. And incidents of students using ChatGPT improperly is not making their jobs any easier. GenAI invites colleges and universities to not only adapt, but to leverage the promise of these technologies to unlock greater value in a variety of areas from recruitment marketing and student experience to faculty workload and intellectual property. Based on our research and discussions with clients, and given our broad expertise in education and technology, we have identified five major ways that higher education can leverage GenAI. We offer ideas for how institutions can navigate this journey as well as promising practices from early adopters.
Monday, December 4, 2023
Generative Artificial Intelligence Committee Report - University of Michigan
We are pleased to share with you the initial report from the U-M Generative Artificial Intelligence Advisory (GAIA) Committee. This group was tasked with assessing the opportunities and challenges posed by generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), particularly as it relates to U-M and our ongoing mission. We want to thank every member of the committee who spent countless hours crafting this report. GenAI is shifting paradigms in higher education, business, the arts, and every aspect of our society. This report represents an important first step in U-M serving as a global leader in fostering the responsible, ethical, and equitable use of GenAI in our community and beyond. As you review this document, we ask that you consider the context of how it was created. This is meant to be a catalyst for crystalizing our thinking about how U-M should navigate the shifting landscape of GenAI.
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Work experience, not college, prepared employees for jobs, study finds - Ginger Crist, Higher Ed Dive
Nearly half of workers (46%) don’t think higher education prepared them for their current jobs, according to a survey released Nov. 8 by online learning platform Go1. Sixty-one percent of the 3,000 full-time office workers surveyed in Australia, the U.S. and the U.K. said work experience was the best preparation for their positions, followed by formal on-the-job training and life experience. Half of the respondents said they wish they had known how to handle career progression prior to entering the workforce. Employees also said they wish they had better understood the fundamentals of the role and how to collaborate across departments. Sixty-six percent of those surveyed said learning and development opportunities make or break their decision to take a job or stay at a company, and 73% said their current employer provides L&D options that meet their needs, the survey found.
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Sam Altman’s Second Coming Sparks New Fears of the AI Apocalypse - Peter Guest & Morgan Meaker, Wired
As Altman toured the world in 2023, warning the media and governments about the existential dangers of the technology that he himself was building, he portrayed OpenAI’s unusual for-profit-within-a-nonprofit structure as a firebreak against the irresponsible development of powerful AI. Whatever Altman did with Microsoft’s billions, the board could keep him and other company leaders in check. If he started acting dangerously or against the interests of humanity, in the board’s view, the group could eject him. “The board can fire me, I think that’s important,” Altman told Bloomberg in June. “It turns out that they couldn’t fire him, and that was bad,” says Toby Ord, senior research fellow in philosophy at Oxford University, and a prominent voice among people who warn AI could pose an existential risk to humanity.
Friday, December 1, 2023
Inflection-2: The Next Step Up - Inflection
"Hey there, great to meet you. I’m Pi, your personal AI. My goal is to be useful, friendly and fun. Ask me for advice, for answers, or let’s talk about whatever’s on your mind." Our mission at Inflection is to create a personal AI for everyone. Just a few months ago, we announced Inflection-1 — a best-in-class language model that currently powers Pi. Our new model, Inflection-2, is substantially more capable than Inflection-1, demonstrating much improved factual knowledge, better stylistic control, and dramatically improved reasoning. Designed with serving efficiency in mind, Inflection-2 will soon be powering Pi. We thank our partners NVIDIA, Microsoft, and CoreWeave for their collaboration and support in building our AI cluster that made the training of Inflection-1 and Inflection-2 possible.
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