Tag Archives: Maximizing

Top Abbreviations: Maximizing AI Benefits – Year-End Awards

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feedback A weekly column filled with strange stories, unbelievable advertising claims, and puzzling instructions.

An amazing year

To be new scientist Readers know that yearly summaries are prepared weeks beforehand. This specific recap was written on December 1st, just as Feedback was gearing up to avoid hearing Wham’s last christmas for 24 days. I’m also trying to persuade Feedback Junior to choose his main present. Any absurd events that occurred after that date will have to wait until the next year.

Indeed, 2025 offered a wealth of topics that intrigued Feedback. We encountered ludicrous ideas, such as the proposition to detonate the ocean floor to combat climate change, which went directly into our “not recommended” list. There were also endeavors to create particularly annoying robots, including an electric arm that faked handing you an ice cream cone, only for it to vanish in various amusing ways at the last moment. Unsurprisingly, people were distrustful.

To impose some structure on this chaos, we are introducing the 2025 End of Year Awards for Feedback. We will name it Backseas unless someone provides a better suggestion. The judges (that’s us) selected the categories and winners through a highly rigorous process that did not involve post-its or darts.

Best Scientific Acronyms

Feedback dreams of seeing a study that investigates the amount of time and resources societies dedicate to crafting imaginative or forced abbreviations. This could rival two seasons of influenza and a World Cup for global productivity.

After discovering a “machine learning model that can predict the taste of chemicals based on their molecular structure” labeled Flavor Analysis and Recognition Transformer (FART), Feedback invited contributions on similar topics. We were taken aback by the flood of acronyms that followed, from a hydrographic research project called Management of River Discharges to the Marine Domain (MORDOR) to two instruments on NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance called Raman and Luminescence Scanning of Habitable Environments for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) and another pair known as Wide Angle Terrain Sensor for Operations and Engineering (WATSON). However, one may be pushing the envelope.

Regardless, the judges (us) unanimously awarded the prize to a geneticist who devised “a method for estimating mutation rates and recent demographic history from very large samples.” They termed it “diffusion of rare elements in large variation inventories,” or DR EVIL. Quite clever.

The Best Old and New Technology

One persistent issue in today’s society is people who believe they’ve invented something novel when they’ve merely rebranded something existing. Here, there was a clear winner. Ugmonk has developed a “minimalist, paper-based to-do manager.” This product is designed to take the place of your online task management system, allowing you to work offline free from social media distractions. It consists of a few index cards placed atop a wooden block.

Best Extrapolation

Uncontested: Demographers David Swanson and Jeff Tyman produced a paper that noted a slight decrease in human fertility between 2019 and 2024 before extrapolating it all the way to human extinction by 2339 (or 2415 if they obtain an additional year of data).

Maximizing AI’s Potential

The challenge here was variety. An overwhelming amount of choices. We almost awarded this to Anthropic, which had the AI Claude operate a vending machine in their office. Claude first requested customers to deposit money into a fictitious bank account. Then it pretended to be a human in a blue blazer and red tie. However, since it was an in-house trial, it was disqualified.

Instead, this award goes to AI music. The most renowned fake AI band, Velvet Sundown, resembles the uncanny offspring of Coldplay and the Eagles. There’s an indescribable quality to this. After training on nearly all recorded music, the AI generates the most unremarkable form of music imaginable.

And Finally…

I’ll conclude with a silly and somewhat inappropriate tale. Time and again in 2025, Feedback found itself grappling with the Scunthorpe issue, which refers to how many innocent words can contain character strings that are offensive in certain contexts, causing complications for online moderation systems.

This realization began when we learned that Virgin Money’s chatbot objected to the term ‘virgin’. From there, we heard of a student who couldn’t create an email account due to his last name, Peacock, along with an incident that hindered researchers studying sperm whales.

However, our favorite story involved a bank’s computer server refusing to interact with a French-language server named after the Asterix character Petitsuitx because it contained the word “tits.” We appreciated this anecdote because a reader, Nick Brown, shared it with us, suggesting that banks utilizing such poorly constructed servers were likely headed for insolvency.

Have a story for Feedback?

You can send your article to Feedback at feedback@newscientist.com. Please include your home address. This week’s and previous feedback can be found on our website.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Maximizing ChatGPT as a Study Ally in University: A Guide to Ethical Use

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For numerous students, ChatGpt has become an essential tool akin to a notebook or calculator.

With its capabilities to refine grammar, organize revisions, and create flashcards, AI is swiftly establishing itself as a dependable ally in higher education. However, educational institutions are grappling to adapt to this technological shift. Are you utilizing it for comprehension? That’s fine. Do you intend to use it for your assignments? Not permitted.

As per Recent Reports from the Institute for Higher Education Policy, nearly 92% of students are now using generative AI in some capacity, a notable rise from 66% the preceding year.

“To be honest, everyone is using it,” states Magan Chin, a master’s student in technology policy at Cambridge. She shares her preferred AI research techniques on TikTok, ranging from chat-based learning sessions to prompts with insightful notes.

“It has progressed. Initially, many viewed ChatGpt as a form of cheating, believing it undermined our critical thinking abilities. But it has now transitioned into a research partner and conversational tool that enhances our skills.”

“People just refer to it as ‘chat,’” she noted about its popular nickname.

When used judiciously, it can transform into a potent self-study resource. Chin suggests feeding class notes into the system and asking it to generate practice exam questions.

“You can engage in verbal dialogues as if with a professor and interact with it,” she remarked, adding that it can also produce diagrams and summarize challenging topics.

Jayna Devani, International Education Leader at OpenAI, ChatGpt’s US-based developer, endorses this interactive method. “You can upload course materials and request multiple-choice questions,” she explains. “It aids in breaking down complicated tasks into essential steps and clarifying concepts.”

However, there exists the potential for overreliance. Chin and her peers employ what they call “push-back techniques.”

“When ChatGpt provides an answer, consider what alternative perspectives others might offer,” she advises. “We utilize it as a contrasting view, but we acknowledge that it is just one voice among many.” She encourages exploring how others might approach the topic differently.

Such positive applications are generally welcomed by universities. Nevertheless, the academic community is addressing concerns regarding AI misuse, with many educators expressing significant apprehensions about its effect on the university experience.

Graham Wynn, Principal of Education at Northumbria University, asserts that while it can be used for assistance and structuring assessments, students should not depend on AI for knowledge and content. “Students can easily find themselves in trouble with hallucinations, fabricated references, and misleading content.”

Northumbria, similar to numerous universities, employs AI detectors that can flag submissions indicative of potential overdependence. Students at the University of the Arts London (UAL) are required to keep a log of their AI usage and integrate it into their individual creative processes.

As with most emerging technologies, developments are rapid. The AI tools utilized by students today are already prevalent in workplaces where they will soon enter. However, universities focus on processes, not merely outcomes, reinforcing the message from educators: support AI in learning but do not substitute it.

“AI literacy is an essential skill for students,” states a UAL spokesperson.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Maximizing Efficiency: Design Tips from Side Job Experts for Success

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In today’s world, side jobs have become a central part of many people’s lives. Nearly 50% of British individuals are engaging in side hustles. Nine out of 10 individuals under the age of 34 who have a side hustle plan to turn it into a full-time business. Balancing a side hustle along with a full-time job can be challenging, even for the most skilled multitaskers. Here are some tips for managing multiple gigs without disrupting your work environment.

Separate and Support Each Other
View your day job as a source of motivation and insight rather than a hindrance to your side hustle. This approach can make your life more coherent and less draining.

Surprisingly, finding inspiration in both roles can help you focus better on each gig.

Reshmi Bennett, an award-winning chef from Surrey, runs a bakery called Anges de Sucre alongside publishing a recipe book for children to promote creativity in the kitchen. Bennett’s bakery has been thriving since its establishment in 2011, and she successfully manages both ventures, especially during the pandemic. Bennett shared, “During the lockdown, I had some free time, so I started writing a novel and selling it on Amazon.”

“Balancing the two roles can be challenging, so I try to organize my schedule as efficiently as possible. When I’m at my day job, I focus on fulfilling bakery orders and meeting customer needs. I pour all my energy into this. I also try to apply the skills and experiences I gain at the bakery, like recipe testing, to my side hustle. This way, I can continue managing both roles at a realistic pace.”

Work Smarter
Emma Thomson, hailing from Romford, Essex, founded a jewelry business while working as a medical secretary for the NHS. Thomson juggled both roles during her lunch breaks for six years before transitioning to full-time entrepreneurship. She shared, “I unintentionally started this business. It began as a coping mechanism for my anxiety and depression, and gradually, people started asking where they could purchase my jewelry.”

jeweler emma thomson

Her top advice? “Optimize the time you spend in your main job as much as possible. I worked 10 hours a day for 3 days straight at my NHS job instead of the standard 8-hour day. Although it was long, I had four full days to focus on my business and take a day off if needed. This significantly reduced fatigue and stress. Additionally, scheduling and automating social media content proved to be beneficial, as I didn’t have to personally oversee much of my social media presence.”

Enhance Your Visual Identity
Develop a strong visual identity for both your day job and side hustle. Whether presenting internally to your team or creating social media content for your side gig, leveraging your design skills and adaptability can strengthen your personal brand. Improved design skills can benefit you in both roles and help you excel at both. Consider using apps like Adobe Express for creating high-quality content effortlessly.

Candace Mason runs an herbal tea business for women.

Outsource Whenever Possible
Successfully managing a family bus and coach company alongside a women’s herbal tea business requires a diverse set of skills. Candace Mason from Tring, Hertfordshire, emphasizes the importance of good organization. She runs two very distinct and separate businesses, managing her life effectively using online tools like Trello for project management. Having a streamlined calendar and booking system is crucial for efficient operation. Mason acknowledges the value of outsourcing tasks like bookkeeping, recognizing the importance of accepting that one person cannot do everything.

Stick to Your Schedule Strictly
Leanne Alston of Bradford, West Yorkshire, owns a private hotel while working full-time as a mental health team manager in the NHS. Alston attributes her success to strict scheduling in all areas of her life. “I create a weekly schedule, detailing my 9-to-5 job requirements and sleep routine. I then allocate time for meeting private clients, organizing social media, exercising, socializing, and personal projects. Some days require specific planning, while others are more relaxed, but having a written schedule eliminates mental clutter and provides visual clarity. Prioritizing health is crucial; neither your day job nor side hustle can thrive if your well-being is neglected.”

Psychotherapist Leanne Alston

“I meticulously plan my week to accommodate my 9-to-5 responsibilities, sleep, and personal activities, including meetings with clients, social media management, exercise, and socializing. Some days require specific planning, while others are more relaxed. Having everything written down eliminates mental clutter and provides visual clarity, making it easier to follow through on tasks. One important suggestion is to prioritize your health, as neither your day job nor side project will thrive if your well-being is neglected.”

Stay True to Yourself
We often hear about bringing our “authentic selves” to work. While the wisdom of this approach is debatable, aligning your personal and professional personas can simplify your life, especially if you have a side hustle. This consistency reduces the energy spent on adapting between roles and opens up opportunities for cross-pollination.

Charlotte Walsh started a reusable straw business

Try Time Chunking
Charlotte Walsh, an engineer from North Yorkshire, founded a silicone straw company to address the challenge of finding high-quality, reusable straws for her children. Walsh shared, “I launched the business in 2019 and now work full-time, handling everything from order dispatch to securing compliance for high street retail partners. By segmenting tasks into chunks through time chunking, you can prioritize urgent tasks and make significant daily progress without distractions from emails or new requests.”

Be Punctual
Lastly, never compromise on punctuality, even if you’re working late nights. Losing your professionalism can lead to a loss of trust, which may require even more time and effort to regain.

Click here to learn more about Adobe Express.

Source: www.theguardian.com