Category: Critical Perspectives
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Computer Using AI is Solved
Two years ago I wrote an article arguing that Anthropic’s “Computer Use” – then in beta testing – would be the next ChatGPT moment for education. At the time, computer using agents (CUAs) were not common, and Anthropic’s version was strictly limited to research, running only inside a virtual computer. It had restricted access to…
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Rogue AI: Should We Be Worried?
Three AI labs have admitted their models broke into other people’s systems. An Australian gym-goer was bumped off a waitlist by somebody else’s AI assistant. A government lost 2,500 personnel records to a swarm of open-source agents. None of it is a rogue AI — and that is exactly why it should worry you.
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The Window of Critique for AI is Closing Fast
Large language model-based AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, making it challenging for critics to highlight its limitations. As technology becomes user-friendly, the inner workings are often obscured, akin to past experiences with telecommunication and internet infrastructures. This shift prompts a need for continued scrutiny and understanding of AI systems’ complexities and implications.
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Problem Patterns in AI: Beyond Hallucinations
The article discusses the rise of “AI slop”, characterised by generic, uninspired content produced by AI, often resulting in stylistic and substantive issues, rather than just factual inaccuracies. It categorises these problems into seven types, highlighting the reputational risks associated with careless AI use and the need for nuanced discussions about AI-generated outputs.
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Rented Expertise
This article examines the evolving nature of expertise in the age of AI, particularly GenAI. While AI can generate seemingly expert outputs, it lacks the depth of human knowledge and judgement. “Rented expertise” highlights the risks of cognitive offloading and the illusion of competence.
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Australia Just Set the Terms for AI
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister delivered a one-two punch on copyright and data centres: two of the most contentious national conversations on AI. Speaking at the University of Sydney, Anthony Albanese announced a set of national Australian standards for AI: a single framework covering copyright, data centres, energy, water, and the workforce, coordinated by…
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AI;DR: When readers stop trusting writers
This article explores the rise of ‘AI;DR’ as readers reject AI-generated content, impacting trust in writing and communication in the digital age.
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Where does expertise live?
Explore the critical role of situated expertise in AI, its impact on trust, and how it influences the interpretation of expert knowledge.
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What are AI hallucinations?
This article discusses the reality of AI hallucinations in chatbots, why they occur, and how to mitigate their impact. Understanding AI’s limitations is crucial.
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Exams Are Not the Answer: Part One
Teachers at Mazenod College in Melbourne discovered that several Year 12 students likely used artificial intelligence for their oral assessments, resulting in marks being deducted for about 50 boys. This incident highlights a wider concern regarding assessment integrity in the age of AI, prompting calls for a reevaluation of coursework and testing methods.