Tag Archives: advise

Meet the AI Workers Who Advise Friends and Family to Avoid AI

Posted on by
Reply

KLista Pawlowski recalls a pivotal moment that influenced her views on the ethics surrounding artificial intelligence. As a worker on Amazon Mechanical Turk, a platform where businesses hire individuals for tasks like data entry and validating AI outputs, Pawlowski dedicates her time to overseeing and assessing AI-generated text, images, and videos, along with fact-checking them.

Approximately two years ago, she accepted a job categorizing tweets as racist or not, working from her dining room table. When she encountered a tweet stating, “Listen to the Mooncricket song,” she nearly clicked “no” before researching the term “Mooncricket,” only to discover it was a racial slur against Black Americans.

“I sat there contemplating how many times I might have made the same error without realizing it,” Pawlowski reflected.

The possible enormity of her own mistakes, alongside those of countless other workers like her, plunged Ms. Pawlowski into a troubling contemplation. How many others have unwittingly overlooked offensive content or worse, permitted it?

After years of observing the inner workings of AI systems, Pawlowski has made a personal decision to refrain from using generative AI products, and she has advised her family to do the same.

“In my house, it’s off-limits,” Pawlowski said regarding her teenage daughter’s use of tools like ChatGPT. When meeting people socially, she encourages them to question AI about topics they are knowledgeable about. This way, they can identify AI’s inaccuracies and appreciate how fallible the technology is. Each time Pawlowski looks at a new set of tasks available on the Mechanical Turk platform, she wonders if her actions might inadvertently harm others, and her answer is consistently “yes.”

Amazon stated that employees have the discretion to select tasks and can review task details prior to accepting them. According to Amazon, requesters define the specifics for tasks, including estimated time, payment, and instruction level.

“Amazon Mechanical Turk serves as a marketplace connecting businesses and researchers, known as requesters, with workers who perform online tasks, including labeling images, answering surveys, transcribing text, and reviewing AI outputs,” explained Amazon spokesperson Montana McLachlan.

Pawlowski isn’t alone. Twelve AI evaluators, responsible for verifying the accuracy and reasoning behind AI responses, reported to the Guardian that after recognizing the inaccuracies in chatbots and image generators, they began to caution friends and family against using generative AI altogether, or at least advised them to adopt a cautious approach. These evaluators work with various AI models, including Google’s Gemini, Elon Musk’s Grok, and other popular technologies, including some lesser-known bots.

One evaluator from Google, who assesses responses generated by Google Search’s AI summaries, noted that the company aims to minimize AI usage whenever possible. She expressed concern about the organization’s handling of AI responses to health-related queries and requested anonymity to avoid professional backlash. She observed that colleagues assessed AI-generated medical responses without critical evaluation and that she herself had to evaluate such queries despite lacking medical qualifications.

At home, she restricts her 10-year-old daughter from using chatbots. “Without critical thinking skills, she won’t be able to determine if the information is valid,” the evaluator stated.

“Ratings represent just one of many aggregated data points that inform us about our systems’ performance, but they do not directly affect our algorithms or models,” Google clarified in a statement. “We have implemented comprehensive safeguards to ensure that high-quality information is provided across our products.”

Bot watchers raise concerns

These individuals constitute a global workforce of tens of thousands dedicated to making chatbots more human-like. While assessing AI’s responses, they strive to prevent the dissemination of incorrect or harmful information.

However, when those ensuring AI appears credible have the least trust in it, experts suggest that’s indicative of a more substantial issue.

“This suggests a tendency to prioritize product launch and scaling over thorough testing, and that the feedback from evaluators is often disregarded,” said Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at Poynter, a program focused on media literacy. “So, if you observe the finalized versions of chatbots, expect to encounter similar mistakes. This can be troubling for the general public increasingly looking toward LLMs for news and information.”

AI professionals express skepticism toward the models they work with because they often prioritize fast turnaround times over quality. Brook Hansen, an AI worker at Amazon Mechanical Turk, conveyed that while she does not trust generative AI conceptually, she also holds reservations about the organizations creating and implementing these tools. A significant turning point for her was realizing how little support is provided to those training these systems.

“We are expected to enhance the model, but often face vague or insufficient instructions, little training, and unrealistic deadlines,” stated Hansen, who has been involved in data work since 2010 and contributed to training some of Silicon Valley’s leading AI models. “If employees lack the necessary information, resources, and time, how can the results be safe, accurate, or ethical? The disparity between expectations and the actual support provided is a clear indication that companies prioritize speed and profit over responsibility and quality.”

Experts point out a fundamental flaw in generative AI: an inability to refrain from providing answers when none are available, often delivering false information assuredly. A NewsGuard audit of the top ten generative AI models, including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Meta AI, found that non-response rates dropped from 31% in August 2024 to 0% in August 2025. Simultaneously, these chatbots were found to be more likely to disseminate misinformation, with the rate nearly doubling from 18% to 35%. None of the companies responded to NewsGuard’s request for comment at that time.

“I don’t have any faith in the accuracy of the bot. [It] lacks ethical integrity,” said another Google AI evaluator, who sought anonymity due to a non-disclosure agreement with the contracting firm, echoing sentiments from another evaluator who warned against using AI, particularly in sensitive medical or ethical matters. “This is not an ethical robot.” It is merely a robot.

Skip past newsletter promotions

“We joke about [chatbots] wishing we could get them to stop falsifying information,” remarked an AI trainer who has worked with Gemini, ChatGPT, and Grok, requesting anonymity due to a non-disclosure agreement.

“Garbage in, garbage out.”

Another AI evaluator, beginning their assessment of Google’s products in early 2024, found themselves doubting the AI’s credibility after six months. Tasked with identifying the model’s limitations, they had to pose various questions to Google’s AI.

“I probed into Palestinian history, but regardless of how I rephrased my questions, I received no answers,” remembered this individual, who preferred to remain anonymous due to a non-disclosure agreement. “When asking about Israeli history, however, the AI readily provided extensive information. We reported this inconsistency, but Google seemed uninterested.” Google did not issue a statement regarding the matter when specifically questioned.

For this Google employee, the primary concern lies in the quality of feedback given to AI models by evaluators like them. “After witnessing the poor quality of data intended for training the model, I realized it was utterly impossible to train it effectively under such conditions,” they noted, employing the phrase “garbage in, garbage out.” This programming principle illustrates that poor or incomplete data inputs inevitably lead to faulty outputs.

This evaluator mentioned they refrain from using generative AI and actively advise friends and family against purchasing new phones with integrated AI, urging them to resist automatic updates that incorporate AI, and to withhold personal information from AI.

Fragile, not futuristic

Whenever discussions of AI arise, Hansen reminds her audience that AI isn’t magical, emphasizing the invisible workforce supporting it, the unreliability of its information, and its negative environmental impacts.

“When you analyze how these systems are constructed—considering biases, expedited timelines, and constant compromises—you cease to see AI as an advancement and begin viewing it as fragile,” explained Adio Dinica, who studies the workforce behind AI at the Decentralized AI Institute, reflecting on the people working behind the scenes. “In my experience, those fascinated by AI are typically those who lack a deep understanding of it.”

The AI workers who spoke with the Guardian expressed a commitment to making better choices and raising awareness among their communities, particularly emphasizing that, per Hansen, AI “doesn’t guarantee the best information; the value lies in those working with the AI.” She and Pawlowski presented at the Michigan School Boards Association spring conference in May, engaging with a room filled with school board members and administrators from across the state, discussing the ethical and environmental ramifications of artificial intelligence, aspiring to foster dialogue.

“Many attendees had never considered the human labor and environmental costs associated with AI, so they were astonished by our insights,” Hansen revealed. “While some appreciated the perspective, others pushed back, claiming we were being ‘hopeless and bleak’ about a technology they deemed exciting and filled with potential.”

Pawlowski compares AI ethics to that of the textile industry. In an era when consumers were unaware of how inexpensive clothing was produced, they were pleased to find bargains. However, as stories of sweatshops emerged, consumers learned they had choices and responsibilities. She believes a similar awakening is necessary in the AI sector.

“Where does the data originate? Is this model developed from piracy? Were the contributors fairly compensated for their efforts?” she questioned. “Often, the truth remains obscure to the public, as we are only beginning to inquire. But change is feasible if we persist in questioning and advocating for better practices, analogous to the textile industry.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Doctors advise against coughing up mucus while sick – here’s why

Posted on by
Reply

There is a common misconception that mucus and phlegm are harmful to the body and should be expelled. However, mucus actually serves as a protective barrier between our body and the outside world.

Just like flypaper, mucus covers the moist surfaces of our nose, sinuses, and lungs to filter out harmful substances we inhale. It consists mostly of water along with proteins, sugars, and molecules that help control harmful bacteria. Therefore, there is no need to get rid of it as it forms a protective layer.

We constantly produce mucus, but it goes unnoticed most of the time. Microscopic hairs called cilia push it back into the throat, and we unconsciously swallow it. Only when excess mucus is produced during illness does it become more noticeable.

When we are sick, the mucus becomes thicker and stickier, but it still plays an essential role in trapping bacteria, viruses, and cells involved in the immune response. So, it is generally best to let the mucus do its job without interfering.

While removing mucus may not provide immediate relief, excess mucus can be uncomfortable. Maintaining moist air, using saline irrigation, gargling with salt water, and staying hydrated can all be beneficial. Nasal decongestants from pharmacies can also help, but should not be used for more than a week to avoid worsening nasal congestion.

In conclusion, there is no need to remove mucus, and doing so will not speed up recovery. However, if it makes you feel better, there is no harm in clearing it.

read more:

Asked by: Daniel Grant, Sunderland

To submit a question, please email questions@sciencefocus.com (remember to include your name and location)

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

New research reveals presence of lead and arsenic in tampons, but experts advise against panic.

Posted on by
Reply

Tampons are one of the most popular period products in a growing market that also includes period underwear and menstrual cups. They’ve been around since the 1930s and are still a mainstay for many people today, used by up to 80% of people who menstruate.

But few studies have looked at the potential contaminants in tampons and whether they pose a health risk, and a new study, the first of its kind, is leaving many questioning the truth. Are tampons safe?

A recent study from the University of California, Berkeley found that many commercially available tampons, both organic and non-organic, may contain toxic metals such as lead and arsenic. Researchers looked at tampons sold in the United States and Europe.

“Some tampons had higher concentrations of some metals and lower concentrations of others,” said lead author Jenni A. Shearston, PhD. “None of the tampons we tested appeared to have low concentrations of all metals.”

Searston said she and her colleagues began researching tampons after noticing little information about their ingredients in the research literature.

“There has historically been a taboo around menstruation,” she says, “and that not only impacts our social lives, but it also impacts scientific research, which I think is one of the reasons why there isn’t much research on menstrual products.”

Dr. Mitchell Kramer, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Huntington Hospital Northwell Health, said the study is “groundbreaking” and shows tampon manufacturers need to do more testing of their products.

“It certainly needs further evaluation. … I think this could have a big impact going forward in terms of how tampons are made and the impact on users,” Kramer said.

However, it is unclear what health effects using tampons that contain these metals may have.

“It’s unclear whether these metals are absorbed through the vagina, which is a key exposure,” said Dr. Jennifer Lincoln, an obstetrician-gynecologist and author of Let’s Talk about Down There: An OB-GYN Answers All of your Burning Questions … Without Making You Feel Embarrassed for Asking.

Shearston, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health and School of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, added that one of the limitations of the study is that it’s not known whether metals even leach from tampons.

“We only tested the tampons to see if they had these metals in them,” she said. “We don’t know if they’ll come out.”

Here’s what you need to know about the study:

Tampons and toxic metals

The paper states:Environment InternationalIn a new study titled “Tampons: A Guide to the Effects of Metals on Men’s Health,” researchers looked at 30 different tampons from 14 different brands and measured the levels of metals in them. Every tampon tested had measurable levels of all 16 metals they tested, including toxic metals like lead and arsenic.

But the study doesn’t conclude that the tampons tested, or others on the market, are unsafe, and Searston hopes people don’t “panic” about the study.

“We need more information,” she said. “What I would encourage people to do is support more research, ask more questions about this, and try to prioritize research on menstrual products and periods.”

The metal content varies depending on the type, where you buy it, and whether it’s generic or brand name.

“These metals were found in varying amounts, with some more prevalent in organic tampons (such as arsenic) and others more prevalent in traditional tampons (such as lead),” Lincoln said. “The study was blinded, so we don’t know which brands were tested, which I know is frustrating.”

Lincoln, who was not involved in the study, said he’s a bit surprised that this is the first of its kind, but that the findings make sense.

“It’s not surprising that metals were found in organic tampons because they can be absorbed from the soil and pesticides are still used in organic farming,” she said.

Are tampons safe?

Yes, tampons are still safe to use, experts say.

“There’s no need to panic,” Kramer said. “It hasn’t been proven that these products are dangerous or that they’re causing serious illness in people. I don’t think so. I think the concentrations of these heavy metals are very low.”

Research news release “It’s unclear whether the metals detected in this study contribute to any adverse health effects,” she said. Shearston said she and her colleagues are currently investigating “whether metals can migrate out of tampons.”

“We do leaching experiments,” she said, “and we also test the same products, like tampons, for other chemicals.”

Lincoln also stressed that it was too early to say what the study’s findings might mean for consumers looking for the safest tampons.

“This study shows that the average amount of lead found in tampons is actually very low, much lower than the amounts of concern in food and water,” she said. “This doesn’t negate the findings, but it’s an important consideration when people are deciding whether to continue using tampons.”

Katherine Roberts, deputy health editor at Consumer Reports, Covered Organic Tamponspoints out that the study highlights the need for more research on tampons.

“This isn’t a lesson that’s immediately actionable for individual consumers,” Roberts said. “The big lesson from this is that we need to do more research. In particular, studying how using tampons that are contaminated with heavy metals affects physiology would be very helpful.”

Are non-toxic, organic tampons safer?

All of the tampons tested contained some level of the toxic metal, even those that were claimed to be non-toxic and organic. In fact, these tampons contained more arsenic than traditional tampons.

“I hope this study shows people that organic doesn’t necessarily mean better, especially when it comes to menstrual products,” Lincoln says.

For example, an organic label on a tampon doesn’t mean as much as it does on food.

“Tampons labeled as organic don’t have a whole lot of information on them,” Roberts says. “It can mean a variety of different things.”

Lincoln added that people should choose menstrual products based on what’s best for them.

“This study shouldn’t be a reason for us all to immediately throw away tampons, but it’s important for people to decide what feels right for them,” she said. “It’s important to recognise that which period product to use is a personal choice – not everyone feels comfortable in pads, cups or period underwear, and for those people, tampons are their go-to.”

Using tampons safely

For tampon users who are concerned about metal exposure, Kramer recommends using tampons less frequently and relying on other menstrual products.

“You might want to alternate between tampons and sanitary napkins during your period, rather than leaving a tampon in 24 hours a day,” she says. “There are a few things you can try to reduce some of your exposure.”

There are other things consumers should consider when choosing a tampon to avoid unknown ingredients.

“Unfortunately, buying a particular brand or looking at a particular label doesn’t necessarily translate to avoiding (heavy metals),” Roberts said.

Roberts says you can buy unscented tampons, choose tampons with fewer ingredients, and avoid tampons made with plastic materials like polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene.

“Flavours are a big black box, regulatory-wise,” Roberts says. “You can add flavours, but you don’t have to disclose what’s in them.”

Still, Cramer hopes people don’t panic about the findings.

“Tampons have been around for ages. I’ve never seen anyone come in with heavy metal poisoning. That’s completely different from the toxic shock syndrome issue,” he says. “That was a bacteria that had nothing to do with heavy metals.”

Alternatives to tampons

If you want to try other types of menstrual products, consider these Alternatives to tampons:

Menstrual cup

One popular brand is the DivaCup, a cup that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual fluid.

Menstrual disc

These products use a rimmed bag, similar to a cup, to collect menstrual fluid.

Period underwear

These are similar to regular underwear but contain additional material to absorb menstrual fluid.

Reusable Pads

These are cloth pads that you place inside your underwear to absorb liquids, but unlike regular disposable pads, they can also be washed and reused.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

AI that predicts flavor preferences can advise brewers on improving beer taste

Posted on by
Reply

Beer brewers produce a wide variety of flavors from just a handful of ingredients

Cthredrig/Getty Images

Artificial intelligence that can predict taste from beer's chemical composition could help create alcohol-free versions that taste exactly like regular beer.

Predicting flavor from a compound is difficult because complex interactions between ingredients and the psychology of taste can result in surprisingly different perceptions, even among people who have tasted the same thing.

To deal with this, kevin verstrapen Professors at the University of Leuven in Belgium have developed an AI model that can predict the flavor profile of beer based on its chemical composition and suggest ways to improve the flavor.

The model was trained on beer reviews by a panel of 16 expert tasters who scored each beer on 50 attributes, as well as 180,000 public ratings from online beer rating websites. The study compared these subjective descriptions with measurements of 226 compounds in 250 Belgian beers.

“Hundreds of these compounds are received by our nose and mouth, but mostly in the nose, and then processed in the brain to give us what we think of as flavor,” Verstrepen says. “The fact that we can actually predict this accurately using machine learning is pretty amazing.”

Verstrepen and his team used this model to predict how to improve the flavor of beer by adding mixtures of specific compounds, such as lactic acid and ethyl acetate. The resulting beer was given significantly higher ratings by a panel of trained tasters.

In another study, which has not yet been published, after making the changes suggested by the model, non-alcoholic beer became indistinguishable from regular beer, Verstrepen said.

The idea is that brewers should aim to implement AI recommendations by tweaking recipes, rather than simply adding flavors, he says. “Simply adding pure aroma compounds is not really acceptable in beer brewing. All you need is malt, hops, water, and yeast.”

“So I look at it as a tool, specifically to be used to make better non-alcoholic beer, but not to take away the art of crafting good beer in an artisanal way,” Versträpen said. To tell.

topic:

  • chemistry /
  • Eating and drinking

Source: www.newscientist.com

Psychologists advise against causing alarm and pessimism for better mental health

Posted on by
Reply

Imagine waiting for your school exam results or having a dental appointment on the horizon. Many believe that preparing for uncertain outcomes by expecting the worst is a good strategy.

This way, you won’t be as shocked if the test results are disappointing or the dentist visit is unpleasant. Hence the phrase “hope for the best and plan for the worst.” But is this approach truly beneficial?

According to psychological research, the answer is no.

One downside of preparing for the worst is that it can lead to feeling sad and anxious before an event. By convincing yourself that something bad will happen, you are setting yourself up for negative emotions.

Thinking positively and expecting things to go well can actually make you feel better before your exam results or dental appointment. But what about when things don’t go as planned?

Unfortunately, research shows that people feel just as bad about disappointing outcomes whether they anticipated them or not. This applies immediately and even after the results are known.

Similar research has found that having negative expectations about a task like public speaking can make you feel worse, not better, right after performing it. The idea of emotional defensiveness doesn’t seem to work well.

These findings are relevant to the debate around trigger warnings, which aim to prepare individuals for emotionally challenging content. However, studies indicate that trigger warnings are not effective in emotional protection.

Concerns about over-optimism and complacency are valid, but optimism can boost motivation. Optimistic individuals tend to put more effort into their studies and typically achieve better grades as a result.

The key is to combine optimism with effort. Simply hoping for the best without taking action is not a sound strategy. Are you thinking positively and putting in the work needed to succeed?

If you have any questions, please email us at: questions@sciencefocus.com or send us a message on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Remember to include your name and location.

Check out our ultimate Interesting Information and more amazing science pages.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com