SAIL: Banning AI, Regressing to Paper, Regulation
Welcome to Sensemaking, AI, and Learning (SAIL)!
The AI landscape is undergoing a stunning sequence of changes (as some have noted, partially driven by the decline of crypto and bored talent (and hype-sters) looking for new territory). It also means a rapid acceleration in BS and overstatement. Followed rapidly by equally loud naysayers. Finding that middle space of sanity where technological innovation can be appreciated and implications on learners and society can be honored is at least partially the intent of this newsletter.
AI and Learning
Schools want to ban ChatGPT: "The education department blocked access to the program, citing “negative impacts on student learning, and concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of content"
Universities want to go back to paper tests: "“Our universities have revised how they will run assessments in 2023, including supervised exams … greater use of pen and paper exams and tests … and tests only for units with low integrity risks".
ChatGPT: A Must-See Before the Semester Begins: "I desperately hope that I can convince you to take an hour to get a feel for what ChatGPT is and what it is capable of right away."
AI Innovations
Microsoft made a (now) prescient $1b investment in OpenAI a few years ago. Now they're expecting to reap at least some of those benefits by bringing OpenAI innovations into their product suite, including Bing and Office. OpenAI is now rumored to be at a $29b valuation.
Gary Marcus has seen significant interest in his work lately. Ezra Klein recently hosted him on his podcast to discuss his role as a skeptic of deep learning.
VALL-E creates voice imprints/recordings from short samples. Expect this all year. Innovation after innovation. It's like 2005 with web 2.0. We won't be able to keep up with the innovations and it'll take years to see who the winners are in this race. But currently, it's all a period of rapid and constant innovation.
AI is now as essential as national infrastructure. Well. Duh.
A growing conversation around the role of LLMs and traditional search has had a few people proclaim that ChatGPT will disrupt Google (Google really is the big AI beast in the ring. Their extensive models, platforms, and technical infrastructure is silly to ignore). One company is focusing on LLM and search "NeevaAI is leading a new frontier of AI search that leverages cutting edge LLMs and an independent search stack to create a unique and transformative search experience."
AI Regulation
The EU wants to regulate your AI tools. (this is one of my favorite regular columns on AI - always worth a deep read)