This week Jonathan Kao and his UCLA-based team published exciting new findings in Nature Machine Intelligences that were also summarized in a companion article in Nature. 

AI is rapidly transforming facets of higher education. Over 70% of university professors have embraced AI for research, leveraging its power for data analysis, literature reviews, and hypothesis generation, but less than 35% have integrated AI into teaching and learning.

By enabling robots to utilize cameras for visual training, MIT researchers are effectively granting AI systems a form of visual self-awareness. This development raises profound questions about the trajectory of AI and robotics, particularly regarding the concept of self-awareness, a trait long considered exclusive to biological organisms.

The AI Browser Wars are not a fad; instead, they represent a basic reordering of the internet’s value chain. The "answer first" paradigm is already eroding the traditional web “link first” traffic model, undermining the economics of content creation and forcing a radical rethink of SEO and digital advertising.

A key element of learning is “learning” how to study; learners of all ages struggle with developing good study habits. Knowt, founded in 2018, is a U.S.-based EdTech startup that leverages AI to revolutionize note-taking, study, and assessment. The platform’s core offering is its ability to automatically generate quizzes and study materials from user-uploaded notes, PDFs, and textbooks, using advanced natural language processing (NLP) algorithms.

We are once again at the crossroads of another significant opportunity. The integration of AI in education is revolutionizing how students learn, teachers instruct, and institutions operate. Khanmigo for Education (KfE) is the latest brainchild of Salman Khan (Khan Academy). This post introduces Khanmigo.

The integration of BCIs (Brain-Computer Interfaces) with AI is reshaping the boundaries of human-machine interaction. AI enhances BCIs by processing and interpreting complex neural data, enabling more precise, adaptive, and efficient control of external devices. This convergence has the potential to revolutionize healthcare, augment human cognition, and redefine the interface between humans and technology.

This post offers a detailed overview of Microsoft’s Copilot AI strategy, including 5 pros and 5 cons. Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated into Windows and the 365 suite. Leveraging advanced AI technologies, including LLMs and Microsoft Graph, Copilot is designed to enhance productivity, automate repetitive tasks, and streamline workflows across applications, including Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Designer.

I have long relied on basic accessibility tools that allow me to function normally in my academic and professional pursuits. I’ve been privileged to work with scores of differently-abled colleagues, including those with vision, hearing, emotional, physical, and intellectual challenges. As a consumer of accessibility capabilities and a longtime proponent of a genuinely equal-opportunity workplace, I believe that AI offers breakthrough capabilities for those of all abilities.