Tag Archives: decisions

Justice Minister: AI Chatbots Could Reduce Errors in Prisoner Release Decisions

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The Justice Minister informed the House of Lords on Monday that artificial intelligence chatbots could play a role in preventing the accidental release of prisoners from jail.

James Timpson announced that permission had been granted for the use of AI at HMP Wandsworth after a specialized team was assembled to explore “quick-fix solutions”.

This response follows a dual investigation initiated last week after a sex offender and fraudster was mistakenly released from a prison in south-west London.

Opposition MPs have seized upon recent release blunders as proof of governmental negligence amid turmoil in the criminal justice system.

Attorney-General David Lammy is set to address Parliament regarding the number of missing prisoners when MPs reconvene on Tuesday.

It is reported that AI technology can assist in reading and processing paperwork, aiding staff to cross-check names and prevent inmates from concealing prior offenses under false identities. It can merge various datasets while calculating release dates and notifications.

Currently, many of these tasks are performed by untrained staff utilizing calculators and piles of paperwork.

In response to a query in the Upper House on Monday, Lord Timpson remarked: “The frequency of releases from one prison to another varies significantly. At HMP Gartree, the average is just two releases per year, while at Wandsworth it reaches 2,000.”

“That’s why our digital team visited HMP Wandsworth last week to explore potential opportunities for adopting digital solutions quickly.

“We have an AI team in place, and they believe an AI chatbot could provide significant assistance, among other benefits. It can also cross-reference aliases, as we know some criminals may use over 20 different names.”

He further stated: “We have authorized the team to move forward with this.”

Brahim Kadour Sherif, 24, was mistakenly released on October 29 and was re-arrested on Friday following a police operation.

He was serving time for burglary with intent to steal and had a record for indecent assault.


Sherif is believed to have overstayed his visitor visa after arriving in the UK in 2019 and was in the process of being deported.

Another inmate, Billy Smith, 35, who was accidentally released from Wandsworth on Monday after being sentenced to 45 months for fraud, voluntarily returned to custody on Thursday.

The wrongful release of these two individuals heightened scrutiny on Ramy, who had introduced a new checklist for prison staff just days earlier after mistakenly releasing sex offender Hadush Kebatu on October 24.

Kebatu, who arrived in the UK via a small boat, created a disturbance in Epping, Essex, after sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and a woman. He was improperly released from Chelmsford Prison and tried to return to the prison at least four times before finally being arrested in Finsbury Park, North London, and given funds for deportation back to Ethiopia.

According to government statistics, 262 prisoners were mistakenly released over the 12 months leading to March this year, marking a 128% increase from 115 the previous year. The majority of these incidents (233) occurred in prisons, with the remaining 29 happening in court settings.

Unions and prison governors have cited the complicated early release protocols and reliance on paper systems as contributing factors to the recent surge in errors, with numerous documents going missing between prisons, courts, and the Ministry of Justice.

The chief inspector of prisons remarked that the recent surge in early prisoner releases indicates “a system on the brink of collapse”.

In a recent piece, Charlie Taylor stated that the escalation in erroneous early releases is “concerning and potentially hazardous”.

Last weekend, reports surfaced indicating that four individuals remain unaccounted for following wrongful releases, with two having been released in June this year and two more scheduled for release in 2024.

On Monday, government sources suggested that one of these individuals had been apprehended.

However, in a sign of an ongoing crisis within the prison system, it appears he was never mistakenly released, but was incorrectly listed among those who had been.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson commented: “These incidents highlight the nature and extent of the prison crisis this government has inherited.

“It’s evident that these issues won’t be resolved overnight, which is why we are constructing 14,000 new prison spaces, engaging technical experts to modernize systems, and providing immediate support to staff.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

How Your Overlooked Memories Shape Your Decisions Today

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When recalling memories, neural activity is sparked in different brain regions

Nopparit/Getty Images

Even forgotten memories appear to influence our behavior.

“People often perceive memories as something to reflect on or contemplate,” says Nick Turk Brown from Yale University, who was not involved in this research. “However, we don’t spend our days lost in past memories. We work, parent, and have fun. Our memories continuously shape our actions; I believe 95% of our cognitive processes operate in this unseen manner.”

Memory can be described in various ways. One perspective focuses on self-reported recollections, like what someone had for dinner yesterday or details about their seventh birthday. Another way to conceptualize memory involves the persistent networks of brain cells known as engrams, which create the biological representation of experiences we have memorized.

Many researchers have long believed that forgetting a memory implies the disappearance of its related engrams. However, studies on mice suggest that forgotten memories endure even when they cannot be consciously retrieved.

In a study led by Tom Willems from the University of Bern, Switzerland, 40 participants briefly viewed 96 pairs of images, including human faces and objects like guitars and staplers.

The researchers then monitored the participants’ brain activity while testing their memory of whether two images had been paired 24 hours prior, using high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants were also asked if they remembered seeing the images together, if they were uncertain, or if they were just guessing.

When they confidently recalled the images, participants correctly chose the paired images 87% of the time in both tests. Conversely, those who could not recall what they had seen managed to achieve about a 50% accuracy rate.

Participants uncertain of their memory estimated correctly 57% of the time after both 30 minutes and 24 hours, suggesting that this group may still retain some memory of the associations.

Interestingly, when guessers made the right choice, their brain activity patterns mirrored those of participants who confidently remembered, particularly in the relevant hippocampal regions.

During a follow-up test after 24 hours, individuals who believed they had forgotten remained active in the hippocampus, while those who recognized the images exhibited activity in the anterior cingulate gyrus of the neocortex.

As Amy Milton from Cambridge University states, “I suggest that the shift of memory activity to the neocortex is associated with recall, but it remains unclear whether this change is a cause or a result of what is remembered.”

Nevertheless, the findings align with a predominant theory of memory function, known as Standard Integration Theory, as explained by Turk Brown. This theory proposes that memories are initially formed in the hippocampus and later consolidated in the neocortex during sleep for long-term storage.

This research highlights a potential separation between the memories we consciously access and the associated engrams in the brain, according to Turk-Browne. “This offers a fascinating illustration of the subtle, automatic, and pervasive influence of hippocampal memories on behavior.”

“Essentially, what they propose is that some memories don’t have to be consciously searched for in order to influence behavior later,” Milton explains.

She expresses no surprise that strong memory traces can shape our actions without our conscious awareness, referencing the phenomenon of priming. Seeing or hearing something can subtly prompt specific responses without us discerning the reasons.

However, priming occurs in various brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, and as Turk-Browne notes, it typically produces only transient effects lasting seconds or minutes.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Democrats Question Cuts Leader: Who’s Making the Decisions?

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As the Trump administration winds down its recent medical research funding initiatives, there have been ongoing concerns among scientists and administrators at the National Institutes of Health regarding Dr. Jay Bhattacharya’s level of autonomy as the director of the institution.

The government’s efficiency project, championed by Elon Musk to reduce costs, has impacted decisions related to the cancellation or postponement of research grants. Some initiatives have also been adversely affected by President Trump’s confrontation with universities over anti-Semitism. However, during a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, Dr. Bhattacharya had a chance to clarify his influence at the NIH but opted not to take ownership of the institution’s longstanding fundraising efforts.

When questioned about the freeze on grant payments to Northwestern University, Dr. Bhattacharya remarked, “That occurred before my tenure,” referring to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

He emphasized that the proposal to cut the NIH budget to $18 billion (a nearly 40% reduction) stemmed from “congress-administrator collaboration,” and he refrained from elaborating on how these cuts might impact institutions.

Further funding cuts were necessitated by rising research costs—an action integrated into the administration’s 2026 budget proposal. Dr. Bhattacharya mentioned ongoing litigation, stating, “I don’t want to delve into it.”

Several Democrats on the committee expressed confusion regarding the decision-making process at the agency.

Senator Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat from Wisconsin, asked, “Who is withholding these funds?” citing evidence that the NIH reduced grants by billions compared to the previous year. “Is it you? Is it the OMB?” she inquired, referencing the Office of Management and Budget. “Who makes these decisions?”

Dr. Bhattacharya responded, “There are many various decisions. For instance, it was his choice to pivot from what is termed ‘politicized science,’ a phrase he previously used to describe research concerning diversity and equity issues. However, he asserted that restricting research funding at Harvard and other prominent institutions was in “collaboration with the administration.”

Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois reacted sharply after Dr. Bhattacharya distanced himself from the decisions regarding funding for the halted study at Northwestern.

An email from an NIH staff member in mid-April, weeks post Dr. Bhattacharya’s confirmation, instructed employees to refrain from issuing grants to Northwestern and various other universities, without notifying them of the reasons for the funding freeze.

“The buck stops at your office,” Durbin said to Dr. Bhattacharya. “Don’t shift the blame.”

The Trump administration’s plans for significant spending cuts at the agency have drawn criticism from both parties, including Republican Senator Susan Collins from Maine.

She told Dr. Bhattacharya that the proposed cuts are “very intrusive,” warning that they could delay or halt the development of effective treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and type 1 diabetes, potentially leaving the U.S. “lagging behind China.”

In response, Dr. Bhattacharya noted that the NIH is engaged in Alzheimer’s and other disease research and will collaborate with lawmakers to address “the health needs of all Americans.”

The director hinted at a possible agreement between the Trump administration and major universities regarding the restoration of medical research funding, yet he did not offer details on the prospects of such an agreement or its prerequisites. “I am very hopeful for a resolution with the universities regarding the grants that have been suspended,” he stated.

In recent years, the NIH has abruptly terminated over 1,300 grant awards and postponed funding for more than 1,000 additional projects. On Monday, numerous NIH employees signed a letter asserting that these actions were dictated by ideological biases and lacked input from scientific staff, effectively suppressing research on health disparities, COVID-19, climate change, and the impacts on sexual health.

On Tuesday, Dr. Bhattacharya stated that scientists have established a process for appealing against funding reductions, and the agency intends to file appeals within weeks.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Parents face difficult decisions regarding smartphones, says English Children’s Commissioner

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Parents in England are urged to make tough decisions about their children’s smartphone use rather than trying to be their friends, according to Dame Rachel de Souza. She emphasized the importance of setting boundaries and considering examples of responsible phone use.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, de Souza stressed the need for parents to prioritize their children’s well-being. She advised against giving in to children’s demands for more screen time, highlighting the importance of making tough decisions for their long-term benefit.

She added that parents should provide love, understanding, support, and boundaries, encouraging high aspirations while also setting limits. A recent survey suggested that a quarter of children in the UK spend over four hours a day on internet-enabled devices.

De Souza also emphasized the importance of having open conversations with children about their online activities and monitoring the content they are exposed to. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is considering implementing smartphone bans in some schools to address concerns about the impact of social media on children.

While guidelines currently suggest banning phones during lessons, there is no clear enforcement strategy for breaks and lunches. De Souza’s survey of state schools found that the majority already limit mobile phone use during the day.

She believes that schools play a role in addressing these issues but acknowledges that parents must also take responsibility for monitoring their children’s digital activities. Conservative leader Kemi Badenok has questioned the government’s stance on child well-being and school bills related to phone bans.

Overall, there is growing awareness of the need to balance children’s online activities with real-world interactions and boundaries to ensure their well-being.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Car manufacturers faced with costly decisions due to Trump’s tariffs

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President Trump’s new 25% tariffs on imported cars and parts have prompted automakers to consider various responses that come with financial implications, ultimately leading to higher car prices as analysts suggest.

Manufacturers may opt to shift production from countries like Mexico to the US, increase production of existing models made in the US, or cease sales of less profitable imported models. Regardless of the decision, consumers should expect to pay more for both new and used cars, with estimates indicating potential price hikes ranging from $3,000 to over $10,000 depending on the model.

In addition, potential additional tariffs announced by Trump could further impact car prices if implemented, especially in the midst of escalating trade conflicts.

The long-term effects of Trump’s tariffs on the automotive industry are expected to be disruptive and costly for American consumers, as noted by Michael Cusumano, a professor at MIT Sloan Management School.

Trump’s tariff threats, stated as permanent, have rattled automotive executives who hoped for negotiation leverage, leading to challenges in reshaping manufacturing and supply chains to comply with the imposed tariffs.

While Trump envisions tariffs as a strategy to revive American automobile manufacturing, the process of relocating production to the US involves substantial costs and complexities for automakers, potentially impacting prices for consumers.

The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has raised concerns among automakers about making long-term investment decisions, as the potential for policy changes under a new administration looms and could reverse current tariff implications.

While tariffs may incentivize choosing US-based production sites, consumer costs may rise as automakers prioritize compliance over manufacturing efficiency.

Major investment decisions impacted by tariffs could have substantial financial repercussions for companies, with potential risks if tariffs are subject to policy changes in the future.

Automakers may be cautious in passing on tariff costs entirely to consumers, as excessive price hikes could lead to reduced sales and revenue, potentially contributing to economic downturns.

In response to tariffs, some automakers have already raised prices, highlighting potential price increases for various car models as a result of imposed tariffs.

As the industry grapples with tariff impacts, automakers may explore strategies such as suspending sales of less profitable models and focusing on domestically produced vehicles to navigate the evolving landscape of trade policies.

Despite efforts to minimize tariff effects, most automakers rely on foreign-made parts, causing tariffs to impact overall vehicle costs and potentially leading to price adjustments across different car models.

As automakers navigate the challenges posed by tariffs, market dynamics and consumer responses could shape future decisions regarding production and pricing strategies in response to evolving trade policies.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Fear of AI’s global impact drives decisions at Paris Summit on Inequality

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The global summit in Paris, attended by political leaders, technical executives, and experts, opened with a focus on the impact of artificial intelligence on the environment and inequality.

Anne Bouverot, Emmanuel Macron’s AI envoy, addressed the environmental impact of AI at the two-day gathering at Grand Palais in Paris.

Bouverot emphasized the potential of AI to mitigate climate change but also highlighted the current unsustainable trajectory. Sustainable development of technology was a key agenda item.

Christy Hoffman from the UNI Global Union emphasized the importance of involving workers in AI technologies to prevent increased inequality. Without workers’ representation, AI could exacerbate existing inequalities and strain democracy further.

Safety concerns were raised at the conference, with attendees expressing worries about the rapid pace of AI development.

Max Tegmark, a scientist, warned that the development of powerful AI systems could lead to unintended consequences similar to the scenarios depicted in a climate crisis satire film. His concerns echoed those from a previous summit in the UK.

The Paris summit, co-chaired by Macron and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focused on AI action. However, safety discussions were prominent given the potential risks associated with the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI).

Demis Hassabis, head of Google’s AI efforts, mentioned that achieving AGI is likely within the next five years and emphasized the need for society to prepare for its impact.

Hassabis expressed confidence in human ingenuity to address the risks associated with AGI, particularly in autonomous systems. He believed that with enough focus and attention, these concerns could be alleviated.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Improving the Outcome of Major Life Decisions: A Guide to Decision Making

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You could argue that LIFE is like a long game of blackjack. A common version of this is that each person is first dealt her two playing cards. The goal is to increase your hand to 21, or as close to this as possible without bursting. Players can either “stick” with their existing hand or “twist” it by requesting that they be dealt another card to add to their total. Of course, going over 21 risks being eliminated.

This may sound far from an everyday choice, but many of the most important decisions in our lives end up in dilemmas like this. Should I stay like this or should I take the plunge and move house? Should you keep your job or start your own business? Should you put up with an unsatisfactory relationship, or try your hand at love another time? In each case, we have to weigh the safety of what we have against riskier but potentially more valuable alternatives.

The uncertainty inherent in these dilemmas causes many of us to become paralyzed and stagnant in our analysis, staying where we are and never getting the chance to win big. In contrast, some people are easily swayed by the lure of new things. They are quick to gamble until they lose everything due to impulsive behavior. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, help may be on the way. Thanks to a greater understanding of our underlying cognitive biases and how to escape them, we now have evidence-based strategies to think more rationally about these challenges, so we can put our lives on the line. Playing the game gives us the most benefit.

Source: www.newscientist.com