Tag Archives: work

Cosmos: AI Researcher Claims to Achieve Six Months of Work in Just Hours

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Can AI conduct scientific research?

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AI researchers can work autonomously for extended periods, completing studies in hours that would take humans months. While developers assert that they have made several “new contributions” to science, skepticism remains among some experts.

The platform, referred to as Kosmos, consists of multiple AI agents adept at data analysis and literature review, aiming to generate groundbreaking scientific insights.

“We have dedicated nearly two years to training AI scientists,” states Sam Rodricks, from Edison Scientific, the company behind Kosmos. “The limitation of previous AI scientists has always been the complexity of the concepts they produce.”

Kosmos endeavors to overcome this challenge. Typically, a session can last up to 12 hours; during this time, when a user inputs a scientific dataset, Kosmos examines roughly 1,500 pertinent academic papers while generating and executing 42,000 lines of code to analyze the data. At the end, the AI compiles a summary of the findings and relevant citations, along with a proposal for further analysis that can initiate the next cycle.

After a predetermined number of cycles, the system produces a report featuring scientific conclusions supported by relevant citations, akin to an academic publication. An assessment from a collective of scholars found that 20 of these cycles corresponded to about six months of their research efforts.

Rodriques remarked that the conclusions drawn by the system tend to be fairly accurate. Edison asked individuals with doctoral-level knowledge in biology to evaluate 102 claims made by Kosmos. The research team discovered that 79.4% of these claims were overall substantiated, including 85.5% concerning data analysis and 82.1% of claims referenced in existing literature. Nevertheless, Kosmos struggles to synthesize this information and generate new claims, achieving an accuracy rate of just 57.9% in this area.

Edison asserts that Kosmos has made seven verifiable scientific discoveries, all of which have been confirmed and replicated by independent specialists in the field using external datasets and diverse methodologies. According to the Kosmos team, four of these discoveries are genuinely novel, while the remaining three were previously documented, though in preprints or unpublished studies.

Among the claimed discoveries is a novel method for identifying when cellular pathways falter as Alzheimer’s disease advances. Another finding suggests that individuals with higher levels of a natural antioxidant enzyme known as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in their blood may experience less heart scarring.

However, reactions to these claims from the scientific community have varied. The “discovery” related to SOD2 is deemed unremarkable by Fergus Hamilton of the University of Bristol, UK. “That specific causal assertion probably won’t withstand scrutiny as a new finding, and there are methodological flaws inherent in the analysis,” he comments. Professor Rodriques acknowledged that the SOD2 finding had been previously established in mice, but claimed this is the first time it has been recognized at the population level in humans through genomics.

Hamilton pointed out that the data analysis code which the agent attempted to execute malfunctioned, causing Kosmos to overlook potentially essential data while arriving at the same conclusions as existing studies.

“Several critical assumptions were made that were imperative for achieving accurate analysis,” he notes. “The software package fails entirely, yet key elements were ignored.” Additionally, in this instance, the data was so processed beforehand that Kosmos “only managed to accomplish around 10 percent of the task,” he suggests.

Hamilton commends the team behind Kosmos for addressing his queries and concerns raised on social media. “While this presents a substantial step forward conceptually, specific technical critiques of this study remain: [the] work is still far from zero,” he states.

“We’re entirely open to the possibility that some of the findings we present could be incorrect or flawed. This is part and parcel of scientific inquiry,” says Rodricks. “Nevertheless, the fact that it has garnered such intricate criticism highlights the system’s potential.”

Others express admiration for Kosmos’ performance overall. “This highlights the immense potential for AI to aid scientific research, but we must remain cautious about the independent use of AI scientists,” states Ben Glocker from Imperial College London. “Even though this study showcases some remarkable achievements, we still lack understanding of the failure modes.”

“We believe embracing tools like Kosmos and developing others is essential. However, we should not lose sight of the fact that science encompasses more than just a data-centric approach,” mentions Noah Jansiracusa from Bentley University, Massachusetts. “There is profound thought and creativity involved, and it would be unwise to disregard scientific pursuits that are amenable to automation solely because they are suitable for AI.”

Rodricks himself concedes that Kosmos is best utilized as a collaborator, rather than a replacement for researchers. “It is capable of performing many impressive tasks,” he asserts. “It requires thorough review and validation, and it may not always be entirely accurate.”

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Are We Out of Work? Film and TV Industry Worries About On-Set Body Scans | AI

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FIt’s common for actors on film and TV sets to be asked to enter a booth lined with cameras prepared to capture their likeness from multiple perspectives. However, the cast and crew are increasingly anxious about the implications of AI in the industry, complicating this process further.

“It occurs unexpectedly,” Olivia Williams notes. She recalls being scanned more times than she can count throughout her career, from *The Sixth Sense* to *Dune: Prophecy*.

“You’re on set, in costume, with a friendly assistant director who knows you well, bringing you tea or managing your phone while you act. Then VFX says, ‘You’re on set. The visual effects team is here today—can you please head to the VFX bus as soon as the scene wraps?’ And off we go.

“Actors often strive to please. Being approached for a scan mid-scene can be detrimental to your creativity and instill a fear of never working again or losing your agent. So you comply.”

Lead and supporting actors, stunt performers, and dancers have shared similar experiences with the Guardian, where they’ve been ushered through scanners on set, often unclear about their rights regarding the biometric data collected.

Williams mentioned that the cast was informed that a scan was needed “if they wanted to be part of the scene or to create visually interesting moments, like aliens coming out of their brains.”

Olivia Williams stated that scans “happened unexpectedly” and that actors complied out of “the fear of never working again.” Photo: David Bintiner/Observer

While anxiety regarding this issue has lingered, recent discussions about “AI doubles” and the rise of “AI actors” have sparked a pressing need to clarify the fate of data captured on set.

This concern was highlighted by reports of an AI character named “Tilly Norwood.” Although it may seem improbable that a production company will unveil the first AI star, it underscores the ongoing struggle to establish performers’ rights.

Worries about the future for emerging actors and the existential threats faced by performers, often referred to as support artists (SAs), prompted Williams to speak out.

Dave Watts, a seasoned SA with experience in numerous superhero films, has also encountered scanning several times and pointed out the wider implications for the industry.

“I can easily envision crew members saying, ‘We don’t need to cast anyone anymore. We can just have the AI create a crowd of 1,000 people based on our existing data,’” he remarked.

“If the usual 100, 200, or 500 SAs aren’t necessary for big productions, there’s no need for an assistant director to oversee them. We wouldn’t need hair and makeup artists, costumers, caterers, or drivers. AI threatens nearly every job out there.”

An AI-generated image of actor Tilly Norwood has raised significant concerns among cast members. Photo: Reuters

An anonymous dancer, fearing repercussions for voicing their opinion, echoed these sentiments regarding the pressure associated with scanning and data usage. “Filming is challenging. You’re awake at 3 a.m. and can’t leave until the day’s over at 8 p.m. Situations like this arise, leaving you with limited options.

“We all ponder whether we might as well quit our jobs, don’t we? It seems somewhat foolish when you frame it that way.”

Alex Lawrence Archer, a data rights attorney at AWO, which is navigating this issue with actors, stated that performers are hindered by a labyrinth of complex and overlapping regulations. He emphasized the necessity for clearer agreements regarding production, rather than scrambling to address data issues after they occur.

“Contracts are often vaguely written and standard industry language that is outdated,” he explained. “They weren’t made to address this technology. There exists a vacuum of ambiguity, wherein AI developers and studios can maneuver as they please.”

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“Actors and their representatives need to focus on this upcoming training case. They must negotiate clearer contracts that accurately convey fair agreements between performers, studios, and AI developers.”

Signs of a rebellion are beginning to appear. On a recent shoot, the cast was informed in advance about the scan following concerns that were voiced.

One cast member, speaking anonymously, shared, “Performers are collectively resisting an environment that feels ambushing. We managed to add an addendum to our contract that essentially prevents the use of our digital scans for any purpose outside of the show without our written consent.”

Filming in Cardiff for *Mr. Burton*. In addition to actors, many jobs within the industry, including assistant directors, hair and make-up artists, costume designers, caterers, drivers, and location managers, are at risk due to AI, according to one supporting actor. Photo: Sara Lee/The Guardian

The struggle for rights may appear daunting in the face of the data-hungry AI industry, which can gather information from countless sources without involving professional performers. However, there’s a shared understanding of the need to regain some control.

Theo Morton, a professional stunt performer and member of the British Stunt Register, stated, “This technology could either reduce the need for human performers drastically or enhance creativity in a positive manner. But the uncertainty looms large, highlighting the necessity for contractual safeguards to prevent a loss of control.”

Yet, Williams expresses a deep concern about the potential loss of control.

A key unknown is the origin of data-trained AI models. Lawrence Archer highlighted that this remains a closely guarded secret that must be revealed. He also warned against reducing the discourse to merely compensation issues for performers.

“The AI industry depends on vast amounts of data,” he explained. “Someone is gathering it. We recognize these are sensitive topics for AI developers and studios. We are assisting performers in making data access requests to learn more. I know several performers who have been compensated by AI companies to withdraw such requests.”

“We must foster an environment where human creativity, actor connectivity, and performance are valued. If we focus solely on legal and compensation matters, we risk relegating actors to the status of data gig workers instead of recognizing them as creative artists.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Exploring Love’s Work: Insights from Psychoanalysis on Love and Heartbreak

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Psychoanalysts Can Aid Couples in Clarifying Relationship Concerns

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Labour of Love
Stephen Grosz (UK: Chatto & Windus, Available Now; US: Random House, February 10, 2026)

Psychoanalysts, with their deep understanding of human emotions, might seem to enjoy relationships devoid of the tumult that often impacts our romantic endeavors.

However, in his compelling memoir, Labour of Love, Grosz delves into over 40 years of discussions about love with his patients, observing the intricate web involving four of his colleagues. At first, Susan and Paul appear to be a blissfully married couple, just like Kora and Martin, until it’s revealed that Paul and Kora have maintained a secret affair for two years.

The ensuing critique strikes at the very essence of their profession. “I’ve never fully grasped what it means to be a psychoanalyst,” Susan confides to Kora. “I possess empathy, I care for others, I establish boundaries, I perceive reality. Avoid taking your friend’s husband.” For Susan, psychoanalysis seems to focus on accountability and self-regulation. Kora, on the other hand, believes her journey is about achieving complete self-awareness. To her, psychoanalysis serves the purpose of intentional self-discovery.

Grosz reflects on these paradoxes, arriving at ambiguous conclusions. He suggests that while psychoanalysis may target both objectives, neither should be a primary aim. “It benefits the patient and enhances her well-being. However, these goals may obscure the hidden desire to restrict the patient’s freedom,” he states. Psychoanalysts enable their patients to gain insights into their minds, but how they utilize that understanding remains their own decision.

Skeptics might contend that psychoanalysis lacks scientific validity. After all, how can one measure the effectiveness of interventions on mental processes? Initially pioneered by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis employs informal dialogues to uncover unconscious dynamics, often involving extended discussions that may last for years, including in-depth explorations of childhood. This contrasts sharply with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which utilizes specific exercises aimed at altering immediate thoughts and behaviors, such as more aggressive strategies to “reconstruct” experiences.

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Grosz has drawn comparisons to Anton Chekhov and Oliver Sacks.
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Nowadays, CBT is often the preferred initial treatment for various mental health issues, yet clinical trials indicate that psychoanalysis effectively enhances well-being. Labour of Love offers a captivating exploration of this process through the stories of Gross’s patients and acquaintances.

Take Sophie, for example. When Gross first meets her, she’s engaged, but despite her hopes for a future marriage, she hesitates to send out any invitations. She is plagued by haunting dreams about her parents’ demise. Together, they eventually trace this fear back to her parents and their loss, which occurred before Sophie was born. She dreads any changes that might separate her from them.

Often, individuals’ issues stem from a fear of losing their identity. “A crucial distinction exists between surrendering to something (or someone) and submitting to it,” Gross asserts. Submissions equate to transactions and involve relinquishing control, whereas mutual surrender fosters vitality, empowerment, and acceptance. In that space, love can flourish.

The journey to comprehend Labour of Love is not straightforward. As the title implies, understanding both ourselves and our beloved requires consistent effort.

Grosz is a compelling writer whose thoughtful narratives frequently illuminate the complexities of human experiences. A review of his earlier work, Researched Life, likened him to literary figures such as Anton Chekhov and Oliver Sacks. His storytelling shines particularly when illustrating the intertwined lives of fellow psychoanalysts. For instance, during Cola’s death, Paul connects deeply with Cola’s family while sitting shiva. In this poignant moment, he finds solace in Susan’s presence.

This scene encapsulates the contradictions inherent in love, as Grosz elaborates: “Susan and Paul loved, resented, married, and divorced. Yet, even during this challenging period, they remained a couple. Their love continued to evolve.”

David Robson is the author of The Law of Connection: 13 Social Strategies That Transform Your Life

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Leveraging Palantir AI for Social Work, Submissions, and Children’s Services at Coventry Council

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Public sector employees are voicing “significant concerns” following Coventry City Council’s agreement with the US data technology firm Palantir, valued at £500,000 annually.

This contract marks the first collaboration between a UK local authority and a Denver-based organization, which also provides technology to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and aids Donald Trump’s initiatives against U.S. immigration policies.

The agreement emerges after the Council’s Children’s Services Division initiated a pilot program utilizing AI for transcribing case notes and summarizing records of social workers. The Council intends to broaden the Palantir system to assist children with special educational needs.

Julie Nugent, the Council’s chief executive, stated the objective is to “enhance internal data integration and service delivery” while “exploring transformative opportunities in artificial intelligence.”

Palantir has secured numerous public sector contracts in the UK, including the deployment of AI to combat organized crime in Leicestershire and assisting in developing a new NHS federated data platform. Keir Starmer visited the company’s Washington office in February, accompanied by CEO and co-founder Alex Karp. Palantir was co-founded by PayPal billionaire Peter Thiel, who supported Trump’s 2016 election campaign.




Keir Starmer touring Palantir in Washington, DC in February. Photo: Curl Coat/PA

Unions that represent teachers and other council staff have voiced that this deal raises “serious ethical questions,” with Independent Councillor Grace Lewis urging the council to terminate the contract immediately to “ensure that £500,000 benefits our community.”

“We cannot justify the Council signing a contract with a company that has a well-documented history in supplying arms and surveillance to the IDF and its involvement in NHS privatization while the Council reduces funding for public and voluntary sectors,” Lewis commented.

Coventry has recently started evaluating applications for household support funds through Palantir’s AI. During a councillor’s meeting, a senior official remarked, “To me, it sounds like my brother.”

In correspondence to Nugent, Nicky Downes, co-secretary of the Coventry branch of the National Education Union, pointed out the troubling implications of AI in Palantir’s surveillance and military systems, highlighting concerns about data collection and storage on citizens, especially related to predictive policing.

“There are considerable ethical concerns surrounding Palantir Foundry’s business practices, which is a subsidiary of Palantir,” Downes stated. “Questions also arise regarding the acquisition and utilization of personal data, particularly in relation to ethical considerations in the procurement process and the accompanying risk assessment.

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Nugent responded, “We have engaged Palantir for a year to investigate potential transformative solutions in artificial intelligence by applying concepts across numerous essential areas. This aims to establish a business case for further investments and a comprehensive strategy for AI. We acknowledge that the ethical implications of AI procurement hold paramount importance.

A representative from Palantir remarked, “We are enthusiastic about assisting Coventry City Council in enhancing the public services offered by AI. Technology opens up significant opportunities, such as decreasing the time social workers and experts in special education spend on administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on directly aiding vulnerable children.”

They also stated that Palantir is nonpartisan and has worked with various US governmental administrations since its collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security in 2010.

A council spokesperson confirmed that they are exploring ways AI can enhance and streamline services. “In this initiative, we are assessing a variety of AI solutions and technology partners, including Palantir, to support our AI objectives. Our top priority remains to evaluate AI’s value for future investments while maintaining rigorous data protection and governance standards.”

The contract was awarded following standard procurement protocols and met all “strict security and compliance requirements.”

Chapman had a troubling upbringing, navigating “between low-paying jobs and unstable housing,” according to a document submitted by her attorney. In 2020, she was also tasked with caring for her mother, diagnosed with kidney cancer.

About six months after the LinkedIn communication, Chapman commenced operations described by law enforcement as “laptop farms.”

In facilitating these operations, she supported North Koreans in masquerading as US citizens through identity verification. She sent laptops abroad and logged onto them so foreign workers could connect remotely, with salaries funneled to workers as indicated by court records.

Meanwhile, North Koreans constructed online identities that aligned with job specifications for remote IT roles, often securing positions via staffing agencies.

In one instance, a “Top 5 National TV Network and Media Company” based in New York employed a North Korean as a video streaming engineer.

Individuals impersonating “Daniel B” requested Chapman to join a Microsoft team together with their employers to facilitate conspirators’ participation. The indictment does not disclose the full name of the victim.

“I just typed the name Daniel,” Chapman communicated to a North Korean, as per online chat records. “When I ask why you are using two devices, please respond that the laptop’s microphone is malfunctioning.”

“Okay,” the foreign participant replied.

“Most people will accept that explanation,” Chapman responded.

Chapman acknowledged the illegality of her actions.

“I hope you can find someone else to handle your physical I-9. Those are federal documents. I’ll send it to you, but I’ll have someone else handle the paperwork. If you’re caught, you could go to federal prison for forgery,” Chapman told her co-conspirators.

Chapman was also active on social media, posting in a June 2023 video about her hectic schedule while grabbing breakfast on the go, as reported by Wired.

Behind her was a rack with at least 12 open laptops. When federal agents raided her home in October 2023, they discovered 90 laptops. In February of the same year, she pled guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy to obfuscate financial products.

Throughout her three-year collaboration with North Korea, some employees amassed hundreds of thousands of dollars from single companies, generating a total of $17 million for Chapman and the North Korean regime.

The fraud operation also involved stealing the identities of 68 individuals, according to the Department of Justice.

In a letter to the court prior to her sentencing, Chapman expressed gratitude to the FBI for her arrest, stating she was attempting to escape from a long-time associate. “And I truly didn’t know how to do that.”

“The area we lived in provided few job opportunities that aligned with my needs,” Chapman wrote. “I sincerely apologize to those affected. I am not someone who seeks to harm others, so it’s devastating to realize I was part of a scheme that sought to inflict damage.”

Last week, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss sentenced Chapman to over eight years in prison, seizing $284,000 intended for North Korea along with a $176,000 fine.

Chapman and her collaborators were not alone in such fraud; in January, the federal government indicted a scheme where two North Koreans, Mexican citizens, and two US citizens obtained positions in at least 64 US companies, generating over $866,000 in revenue, as reported by the Department of Justice.

Racenberg from NISOS expressed concern that cybercriminals will increasingly leverage artificial intelligence to enhance such schemes.

He advised companies to conduct “open-source research” on applicants, as fraudsters frequently replicate content from existing resumes.

“If you input the initial lines of your resume, you may discover two or three other resumes online that are strikingly similar, using identical companies or timelines,” Racenberg cautioned. “That should raise some red flags.”

During interviews, if background noises resemble a call center or if applicants refuse to remove a fake or blurry background, this should also raise concerns, according to Myers from CrowdStrike.

Businesses should also encourage new hires to visit offices and require the return of laptops directly rather than mailing them.

Five years after the pandemic, more companies are gradually insisting their employees return to the office at least part-time. If all businesses did the same, would that eradicate the threat?

“While this may reduce occurrences, it doesn’t guarantee everything will revert to former practices,” Racenberg commented. “However, the likelihood of reverting completely is quite low.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Transform Your Body in a 4-Day Work Week: Here’s How!

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If you find yourself at your desk, feeling a bit fatigued and pondering where the weekend went, the thought of a four-day workweek might sound incredibly appealing. Just think about all you could accomplish with an extra day! You could finally tackle those odd tasks, enjoy some fresh air, or simply catch up on sleep.

This notion has circulated for years, but now the evidence is mounting. By trimming the workweek by just one day, you can reduce stress, enhance sleep quality, boost physical activity, and even improve productivity.

This concept is shaping a global movement toward rethinking the modern workweek, backed by trials occurring in Europe, North America, and other regions.

A recent study conducted by researchers from Boston College and University College Dublin tracked approximately 3,000 employees across 141 organizations in six English-speaking countries. For six months, these participants worked up to eight hours less per week, without any reduction in pay.

The results published in Natural Human Behavior were quite impressive. Employees reported enhanced mental and physical health, fewer sleep disturbances, and lower fatigue levels. Most companies found sufficient value in the results to continue with the new arrangements post-trial.

“We are observing global trends where workers experience burnout, extended hours, and minimal time for personal and family matters—not just in high-income nations but across many low and middle-income countries,” noted Wenfang, the study’s author and associate professor of sociology at Boston University, in an interview with BBC Science Focus.

“A four-day workweek offers a potential avenue for employees to rethink and restructure their work arrangements for better benefit.”

Hard Data

While many studies rely on employee surveys, recent research in Germany led by Professor Julia Bachmann aims to gather more concrete data. Her team monitored stress, activity levels, and sleep using Garmin fitness trackers worn by both participants in the four-day workweek and those maintaining full-time schedules.

The findings revealed that those in the four-day workweek group experienced significantly lower stress levels, as indicated by heart rate variability.

“The four-day workweek group showed significantly less stress on most days,” said Bachmann to BBC Science Focus. “Interestingly, even on weekends, they did not reach the stress levels of the control group.”

Interestingly, Saturday turned out to be the most stressful day, likely due to errands and family responsibilities, while Sunday was the least stressful. Participants also increased their walking, exercise, and gained an extra 38 minutes of sleep per week.

“They are more active, engaging in more sports. Their stress levels are lower, and they’re sleeping a bit more during the week,” Bachmann noted.

According to Bachmann, the early indicators point in a favorable direction; however, the data on sleep quality is still being analyzed.

Crucially, these physiological findings aligned with the self-reported data from participants. This is significant given the long-standing concerns about bias in self-reported data in other studies on the four-day workweek. “This is typically the main criticism,” Bachmann stated. “But now we have objective data that supports these self-reported outcomes.”

As part of the same study, researchers also gathered hair samples to analyze cortisol levels, a hormone linked to chronic stress. The results are pending, but Bachmann is hopeful they will be available later this year. If consistent with other findings, these results could provide further independent evidence of the health benefits of a four-day workweek.

The trial included 41 organizations across Germany, spanning from IT firms to healthcare providers. Not every employee transitioned to a four-day schedule within each company, as some departments within large corporations maintained full-time hours. Most who switched reduced their work hours without extending their workdays. Reports indicated that monthly overtime also decreased.

Fortunately, for any CEOs reading this, no significant revenue changes were noted during the four-day workweek, and both employee productivity and work intensity improved.

Importantly, this model gained widespread popularity: 73% of organizations expressed plans to continue with the four-day workweek in some capacity, and 82% of workers hoped to maintain it.

Fitness trackers were used to capture hard data on how four days of the week can improve your health – Credit: Getty Images

The Future of Work

So, is the Monday to Friday grind truly sustainable? According to Professor Cal Newport, a Georgetown University computer science professor trained at MIT and author of Deep Work, it’s not that straightforward. He agrees that a shortened week may offer some relief; however, he believes it lacks proper progression. “One of the key contributors to burnout among knowledge workers is overload,” he noted in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “Individuals juggle numerous projects, tasks, and obligations simultaneously.”

In other words, the focus should not solely be on how long we work, but also on the expectations attached to that work. “Transitioning to a four-day week only indirectly addresses this issue,” he asserted. “There’s anecdotal evidence suggesting that reducing workloads might lessen them somewhat. These new constraints can help people feel comfortable saying ‘no,’ making the most effective approach to managing workloads direct.”

Bachmann’s team is currently planning to streamline the four-day workweek concept further to explore how employees compress their tasks into four days compared to genuine reductions in total working hours.

Overall, the outlook for a four-day workweek is positive. Studies around the globe are converging on similar conclusions. Hopefully, a shorter workweek can enhance health and well-being without compromising performance.

However, as Newport emphasizes, the hours we work may matter less than the expectations we set. If a four-day week becomes a reality, it may require reevaluating our workloads rather than just adjusting our calendars.

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About Our Experts

Wenfang He is an associate professor in the Sociology department at Boston University, USA. His research has appeared in journals like Natural Human Behavior, Social Forces, Jobs and Occupations, and Advances in Life Course Research.

Julia Buckmann is the chair for co-direction at the Centre for Work Transformation and Business Transformation at the University of Münster in Germany. Before this role, she served as an assistant professor at the University of Dublin and LMU Munich. Having received several international awards, Julia is focused on the impact of social and technological change on (collaborative) work, leadership, and innovation.

Cal Newport is a computer science professor trained at MIT and teaching at Georgetown University in the United States. He writes extensively about technology, work, and the pursuit of depth in an increasingly distracting world. His publications include eight books such as Lower Productivity, Email-Free World, Digital Minimalism, and Deep Work.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

How a 4-Day Work Week Benefits Your Health and the Environment

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A four-day workweek can significantly enhance both your mental and physical well-being, which in turn boosts your performance. This is supported by a recent study conducted by researchers from the US and Ireland.

The most exciting part? Research published in the journal Natural Human Behavior ensured that participants did not experience any wage cuts during the trial. This is crucial, as pay reductions can lead to increased stress. Participants managed to maintain their typical productivity levels while experiencing fewer sleep disturbances and reduced fatigue, thanks to an improved work environment.

“Globally, we observe trends of burnout, long hours, and inadequate personal time for employees and their families—this issue is prevalent not only in high-income countries but also in many low- and middle-income nations,” noted study author Wenfang, an associate professor of sociology at Boston University in the United States, as stated in BBC Science Focus.

“Our four-day workweek could serve as a potential solution for rethinking work structures that not only benefit employees but society at large.”

The sociologists from Boston College and University College Dublin conducted a six-month study involving approximately 3,000 employees from 141 organizations across Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, and the US. Participants were offered reduced working hours ranging from 1-4 hours, 5-7 hours, or 8 hours.

Over the six-month period, employee wellness was evaluated across four categories: burnout, job satisfaction, overall psychological health, and physical health—key indicators of mortality risk.

Concurrently, they compared the outcomes for 285 employees from 12 companies that implemented reduced work hours with those who maintained the traditional workweek.

Significant health advantages were noted for employees in all three reduced-hour groups, particularly in terms of burnout and job satisfaction. Those who cut their working hours by eight saw the most substantial benefits. Furthermore, 90% of the companies that participated continued their four-day workweek after the trial concluded.

Globally, initiatives are underway to assess the effects of shorter workweeks on employee health and organizational productivity. One notable program is the 4DWG initiative, which has seen participation from 375 companies worldwide, advocating for a six-hour workday or a 20% reduction in total hours.

A potential limitation of this study is that it relied on companies volunteering to take part, primarily involving small businesses in English-speaking countries. Future studies aim to include government-sponsored trials for more randomized assessments.

Additionally, the researchers are exploring the environmental impact of a four-day workweek, as some employees have volunteered to monitor their carbon footprints.

Wen posits that both workers and employers could benefit environmentally, particularly with decreased pollution from commuting. She stated: “Countries adopting shorter working hours often report improved environmental outcomes.”

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About our experts

Wen Huang is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Boston College, USA. Her research has been published in journals such as Natural Human Behavior, Social Forces, Jobs and Occupations, and Advances in Life Course Research.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Remember the tip and boost your chances with Driver Res Taxi for work or a date

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name: Waymo.

year: It was founded in 2009 as a Google Autonomous Car Project.

exterior: Unmanned taxis and recruitment services.

What a futuristic – And have they been working on this since 2009? In fact, it is a prototype self-driving car built by Stanford University, dating back to 2004. The Google Project became known as Waymo in 2016.

Have you been thinking about it for so many years before you first saw the self-driving taxi? They already have them in San Francisco, LA, and Phoenix.

Does that mean they are testing technology on real roads? No, I mean you can get a Waymo to take you somewhere in San Francisco now…

That’s a miracle! … and perhaps provide you with work while you’re there.

That’s the service now. How does the technology behind adoption work at the end of this whole end? That’s amazing. That’s amazing. Those on Waymo left handwritten notes promoting senior software engineers “to tackle AI/Music Project.”

Do you think people who enter unmanned taxis are exactly like the devil’s May care nerd they were looking for? that’s right.

Did it work? The person who left the note, flu CEO Alessandra Angelini, says he received around 60 CVs as a result.

I’m amazed that 60 qualified applicants had entered the same Waymo that day. That’s statistically unlikely, but the taxi hire took photos of the notes and posted them on social media, where they saw them 300,000 times.

That’s how it works. It’s not just the advantages of driverless technology. Another rider left a note to Waymo looking for the date, listing his age (26), his height (5 feet 10 inches on a good day), other details (“run marathon”), and phone number.

did that work? He got 200 replies, but again, because someone else posted a photo on social media.

This new recruiting system appears to be quite dependent on third parties. X account. Also, taxis are cleaned quite regularly, so ads don’t last long.

Will the novelty of this approach be exhausted when driverless taxis become commonplace? probably. This means that it won’t respond to ads for dates someone left with Uber.

say: “Enjoy your ride and thank you for your application!”

Don’t say: “I wanted a driver.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Online virtual reality tools offer free assistance for public neurology work

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A new online platform has been launched to help speakers practice in front of virtual audiences, easing the anxiety many face in public speaking situations.

Dr. Chris McDonald, founder of Cambridge University’s Immersive Technology Lab and creator of the platform, aims to eliminate long waits and high costs associated with seeking help for language anxiety.

“Most people experience language anxiety but don’t have access to treatment. This project aims to break down those barriers,” he explained.

Virtual reality public speaking The platform uses exposure therapy, combining breathing exercises and eye movements to reduce heart rate and fear response.

Users can practice public speaking in various virtual reality settings, from empty classrooms to large stadiums with thousands of people. McDonald refers to the latter as “overexposure therapy.”

McDonald mentioned that the platform, compatible with Android and iOS, offers scenarios like study materials, feedback mechanisms, and job interviews accessible via laptop, VR headset, or smartphone with a cheap mount.

In a recent study published in the Frontier Journal of Virtual Reality, 29 Chinese adolescents showed significant improvement in public speaking confidence and enjoyment after using the platform.

Further research is planned, but McDonald revealed that tens of thousands have already used the platform during development. He emphasized the importance of creating an effective and accessible tool for users.

Psychologist Dr. Matteo Cella from King’s College London’s Virtual Reality Lab acknowledged the platform’s potential benefits but stressed the need for robust trials to evaluate its efficacy.

Dr. Kim Smallman of Cardiff University highlighted the importance of assessing the impact and effectiveness of new technologies like VR in addressing mental health challenges.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Future is Here: AI Tools Revolutionize Recruitment for Startups

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Envision the future of HR. Picture receiving a notification on your phone informing you that due to recent organizational changes, new personnel need to be recruited. The message includes a list of six well-qualified candidates who align with the organizational culture and are available to start within a month. Your task is simply to choose the best candidate to interview.

Much of this future scenario is already a reality. Platforms like Employment Heroes offer advanced AI tools to assist small businesses in managing HR and recruitment. These tools can even predict future needs and suggest potential candidates proactively.

Utilizing AI tools, Employment Heroes analyzes clients’ businesses, including organizational structure, turnover rates, and hiring timelines, making it easier for small businesses to operate. This global employment management platform uses AI to provide insights and recommendations, such as identifying when a position needs to be filled.

This workforce planning capability has traditionally been inaccessible to small and medium-sized businesses, placing them at a disadvantage in recruitment and staffing. Now, they have access to expertise and support equivalent to that of large corporations.

The right candidates can already line up as soon as a vacancy occurs. Photo: Maria Corniva/Getty Images

This type of predictive HR is particularly beneficial for high-growth SMEs. By providing insights into future staffing needs, it enables strategic planning that ensures the right talent is in place at the right time.

Looking ahead, AI-enabled HR platforms will automate various employment management processes, from employment terms to bonus structures, streamlining operations for small businesses and ensuring fairness and transparency.

Baillie, the Head of People at Mobile Marketing Agency ConsultmyApp, highlights the impact of the Employment Hero platform on recruitment processes, emphasizing its role in enhancing inclusivity and ensuring competitive pay packages.

SmartMatch enables SMEs to deliver competitive packages by analyzing industry trends. Photo: FG Trade/Getty Images

Employment Heroes’ SmartMatch feature offers real-time data insights on industry trends, helping small businesses set competitive pay ranges and attract top talent.

By leveraging data-driven benchmarks, small businesses can align their compensation packages with market standards and ensure they remain competitive in attracting and retaining the best employees.

Let’s reimagine the possibilities. Discover how Employment Hero can revolutionize your work processes.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Reducing Bias, Improving Recruitment: How AI is Revolutionizing Hiring for Small Businesses

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Artificial intelligence is trained on human-created content, known as actual intelligence. To train AI to write fiction, novels are used, while job descriptions are used to train AI for writing job specifications. However, a problem arises from this approach. Despite efforts to eliminate biases, humans inherently possess biases, and AI trained on human-created content may adopt these biases. Overcoming bias is a significant challenge for AI.

“Bias is prevalent in hiring and stems from the existing biases in most human-run recruitment processes,” explains Kevin Fitzgerald, managing director of UK-based employment management platform Employment Hero. The platform utilizes AI to streamline recruitment processes and minimize bias. “The biases present in the recruitment team are embedded in the process itself.”

One way AI addresses bias is through tools like SmartMatch offered by Employment Hero. By focusing on candidates’ skills and abilities while omitting demographic information such as gender and age, biases can be reduced. This contrasts with traditional methods like LinkedIn and CVs, which may unintentionally reveal personal details.

AI helps businesses tackle bias when screening for CVs. Photo: Fiordaliso/Getty Images

Another concern is how AI processes information compared to humans. While humans can understand nuances and subtleties, AI may lack this capability and rely on keyword matching. To address this, tools like SmartMatch evaluate a candidate’s entire profile to provide a holistic view and avoid missed opportunities due to lack of nuance.

SmartMatch not only assists in matching candidates with suitable roles but also helps small businesses understand their specific hiring needs. By analyzing previous hires and predicting future staffing requirements, SmartMatch offers a comprehensive approach to recruitment.

Understanding SME needs and employment history allows SmartMatch to introduce you to suitable candidates. Photo: Westend61/Getty Images

By offering candidates the ability to maintain an employment passport, Employment Hero empowers both job seekers and employers. This comprehensive approach to recruitment ensures that both parties benefit from accurate and efficient matches.

For small and medium-sized businesses, the impact of poor hiring decisions can be significant. By utilizing advanced tools like SmartMatch, these businesses can access sophisticated recruitment solutions previously available only to larger companies.

Discover how Employment Hero can revolutionize your recruitment process.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Boosting Innovation and Competition in SMEs through AI: Redefining Work for More Efficiency and Engagement

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Kevin Fitzgerald, managing director of UK Employment Heroes, emphasizes the importance of managers in businesses. He mentions that technology has advanced greatly, especially in the past decade, allowing for the digitization of many administrative tasks. According to Fitzgerald, AI should not be seen as a vague or scary new technology, but rather as a practical way to streamline and automate time-consuming tasks, enabling employees to focus on more valuable and interesting work.

The Employment Hero Survey revealed that 52% of respondents found the platform improved organizational efficiency, with 42% reporting faster processes and 65% using less paper.

By using AI to handle tasks like onboarding and data entry, employees have more time to focus on important aspects like welcoming new recruits and integrating them into the team quickly. Fitzgerald also mentions how AI can help with tasks like organizing employment contracts and setting up new employees in payroll systems swiftly.

Integrating AI into the workplace aligns with the shift towards flexible and hybrid work practices. This approach not only helps manage time effectively but also boosts employee engagement and energy levels.

Using AI for tasks such as payroll and HR automation is part of a long-term trend in digital transformation. Small and medium-sized businesses can now access tools like the Employment Operating System for Employment Heroes, consolidating multiple functions onto one platform for efficiency and cost savings.

AI’s ability to automate routine tasks and handle complex data processing makes it an invaluable tool in enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. By freeing up time and minimizing distractions, employees can engage in deep work, leading to improved efficiency and overall satisfaction.

Fitzgerald emphasizes that AI is user-friendly and embedded in platforms like Employment Heroes, providing powerful tools for staff to enhance their work. Embracing AI not only accelerates productivity but also empowers employees to work smarter, fostering a positive work environment.

Rethink what is possible with Employment Hero and revolutionize the way you work.

Source: www.theguardian.com

International Reports on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cover Work, Climate, Cyber Warfare, and More

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  • 1. work

    In the section on “Labor Market Risks”, the report indicates that the impact on jobs will be “serious”, particularly with highly capable AI agents (tools that can perform tasks without human intervention). Caution is advised.

    “General-purpose AI has the ability to automate a wide range of tasks, potentially leading to significant impact on the labor market. This could result in job loss.”

    The report also mentions that while some economists believe that job losses due to automation may be offset by new job creation in non-automated sectors.

    According to the International Monetary Fund, about 60% of jobs in advanced economies like the US and UK are at risk of automation, with half of those jobs being potentially impacted negatively. The Tony Blair Institute suggests that AI could displace up to 3 million jobs in the UK, but also create new roles in industries transitioning to AI, which could bring in hundreds of thousands of jobs.

    The report mentions that if autonomous AI agents can complete tasks over extended periods without human supervision, the consequences could be particularly severe.

    It cites Some experts who have raised concerns about a future where work is mostly eliminated. In 2023, Elon Musk predicted that AI could eventually render human work obsolete, but the report acknowledges uncertainty about how AI will impact the labor market.

  • 2. environment

    The report discusses AI’s environmental impact due to its electricity consumption during training, labeling it as a “moderate but growing contributor” through data centers, which are crucial for AI model operation.

    Data centers and data transmission contribute about 1% to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, with AI accounting for up to 28% of data center energy consumption.

    The report also raises concerns about the increasing energy consumption as models become more advanced, noting that a significant portion of global model training relies on high-carbon energy sources such as coal and natural gas. It points out that without the use of renewable energy and efficiency improvements, AI development could hinder progress towards environmental goals by adding to energy demand.

    Furthermore, the report highlights the potential threat to human rights and the environment posed by AI’s water consumption for cooling data center devices. However, it acknowledges that AI’s environmental impact is not yet fully understood.

  • 3. Control loss

    The report addresses concerns about the emergence of superintelligent AI systems that could surpass human control, raising fears about the disappearance of humanity. While these concerns are acknowledged, opinions vary on the likelihood of such events.

    Bengio stated that AI systems capable of autonomously carrying out tasks are still in development, preventing these systems from executing the long-term planning necessary for widespread job displacement. He emphasized that without the ability to plan long-term, AI would remain under human control.

  • 4. Bioweapons

    The report mentions the potential of AI models in creating step-by-step instructions for developing pathogens and toxins beyond the expertise of PhD-level professionals. However, it raises concerns about the possibility of misuse by inexperienced individuals.

    Progress has been observed in developing models capable of supporting professionals in reproducing known biological threats, according to experts.

  • 5. Cyber security

    From a cybersecurity perspective, AI’s rapid growth includes autonomous bots capable of identifying vulnerabilities in open-source software and generating code that can be freely downloaded and adapted. However, the current limitation is that AI technology cannot autonomously plan or execute cyber attacks.

  • 6. Deep fake

    The report highlights instances where AI-generated deep fakes have been maliciously used. However, it notes a lack of data to fully quantify the extent of deep fake manipulation.

    The report suggests that addressing issues like digital watermark deletion in AI-generated content is a fundamental task in combatting deep fake content.

    • Source: www.theguardian.com

    Couriers puzzled by algorithms dictating work: The nightmare of the gig economy

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    Delivery workers in Ballymena, Northern Ireland are often seen gathered around McDonald’s, waiting for orders and discussing the mysteries of the system that controls their work lives.

    This week, gig workers, unions, and human rights organizations are demanding more transparency from Uber Eats, Just Eat, and Deliveroo regarding the algorithms that dictate their work assignments and pay. A campaign has been launched calling for greater transparency.

    Workers question why some are given jobs as soon as they log in while others who have been waiting are ignored. They wonder why the app sometimes indicates no available delivery person, even when a restaurant is busy.

    One driver, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration at trying to understand the algorithm’s logic. They speculate on how geolocation and other factors may influence the system’s decisions.

    Drivers find the lack of human interaction and underpayment for their work disheartening. They struggle with automated processes and often feel disconnected from the platforms they work for.

    While these issues persist, there is a growing demand for transparency and accountability in the gig economy. Workers like Lucas Myron have experienced sudden disruptions in their work without clear explanations or recourse.

    James Farrar, a former Uber driver who successfully challenged the company for better employment rights, now advocates for gig workers’ rights. He highlights the challenges faced by workers who must navigate opaque algorithms and make decisions with little information.

    The lack of transparency in algorithm-driven platforms creates uncertainty and stress for workers, who often feel powerless in understanding or challenging the decisions made about their work.

    Source: www.theguardian.com

    Finally Got My Virtual Reality Setup Working: A Week of Work, Exercise, and Relaxation

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    II’m writing this from a room slowly orbiting the Earth. Behind a screen that floats in front of me, through a huge opening where a wall should be, a planet slowly rotates and appears close enough to take up most of my field of vision. To my right it’s morning in Australia. The first vestiges of India and Europe are illuminated and dotted to my left. The soft drone of the air circulation system hums quietly behind me.

    I spent a week using a virtual reality headset to do everything I could: work, exercise, compose music. This was the year that VR threatened to go mainstream as prices became more affordable and Apple entered the market. So I wanted to see how far VR has come since I first tried it in the mid-2010s, when the main experience was available. It was a nauseating roller coaster simulator. I used Meta’s latest model, called the Quest 3, and the conclusion was clear. This means it works now. It feels a little unfinished, but we’ve finally reached the point where VR is possible. It becomes really useful.

    The biggest surprise was working in VR. This is not recommended. When you put on the headset, you can summon multiple screens, all connected to your computer, and make them as large as you want and place them anywhere in your environment. “Pass-through” – the ability to see digital objects superimposed on the real world, enabled by a camera built into the front of the headset – means you can cut out a window from the virtual environment to see the keyboard. You can also choose any number of work environments, from minimalist cafes to mountain huts, and switch between them at will. I quickly reached the point where if I was working alone, I would rather work in virtual reality than in real life.

    The main problem is the overall lack of polish. The headset doesn’t feel like a finished product. It’s probably 10% too heavy, like a lab prototype that hasn’t been improved yet. The battery alone won’t last the entire day. Sometimes the controller disconnects without explanation. I brought it on a plane to do some work, but the challenge of connecting to my laptop using the onboard Wi-Fi proved insurmountable.

    But watching movies in VR while flying was nothing special. Yes, I felt the need to apologize to my neighbor in a very British way. Wearing a headset in public has not yet become socially acceptable. But as soon as I pressed play, I realized I would never be able to go back to in-flight entertainment. I was sitting in a movie theater with the lights dimmed and several rows of seats separating me from a giant screen on a virtual wall. In long periods without turbulence, we really forgot we were flying. The one downside is that I was so engrossed in it that I almost missed the breakfast cart passing by.


    “Today, the key to getting the most out of VR is to use it for activities you do yourself, even if you’re not a gamer.” Photo: Marissa Leshnoff/The Guardian

    Of course, the movie theater was empty except for me – by design. Other apps are intentionally less sparsely populated. I downloaded one that promised a live virtual concert. Upon entering the virtual lobby, I discovered that there was no concert going on and no sign of one being scheduled. No problem. It also provided a space for people to mingle when acts weren’t performing. I loaded it. It was a beautifully designed virtual world, all domes and arches and curved slopes. But it was a ghost town. I was the only one there. And this is considered to be one of the most popular apps for live music on the internet.

    When most people think of VR, they often think of Ready Player One. This is a science fiction novel and film about a world where people spend most of their time in a shared virtual reality, where they gather as avatars to interact, talk, and watch sports and music. together. This feels like a long way off. There are games that give hints about this group experience, such as “Gorilla Tag,” where children gather together after school to play tag as gorillas, talking to each other and moving around by waving their arms. However, VR adoption has not yet become widespread enough to make Ready Player One’s vision a reality. Now, the key to getting the most out of VR is to use it for activities you do yourself, even if you’re not a gamer.

    For at least some types of knowledge workers, work is one such activity, and someone closely involved in the industry recently told me that it is considered the fastest growing use case. It is being I feel that productivity can be easily improved with VR. Gone is the office clutter, replaced by a calming environment that matches your mood for the day. Monitors that would cost thousands of dollars in the real world are displayed in front of you on demand. A virtual forest in the mountains is far better than the gray walls of my study as a place to sit down at my keyboard and write music. All distractions disappear from view.

    Another thing is exercise. I was doing a personal training session in my garden, and a virtual trainer was floating in the air right in front of me. Passthrough, which was only recently added to Quest, is important here because it means you can use weights. This was not a smart idea in previous models as it completely obscured the real world. While many people have tried to join a gym temporarily and failed, it’s not unreasonable to hope that on-demand personal training at home might help them get back to exercising regularly.


    Apple’s Vision Pro headset, launched earlier this year, was meant to be the starting gun for VR. That wasn’t the case. It’s a marvel of engineering and has magical uses, but it’s still lacking in compelling apps. £3,500 price tag For most people that is ruled out. Stories of headsets gathering dust or being returned have led some to believe that VR is nothing more than a hype bubble created by a tech industry desperate to find the next big thing.

    But VR isn’t all hype. Sure, there are kinks that need to be smoothed out. But I think we’ve reached a tipping point. It’s really useful if you’re bringing this in for single player and something you don’t really use in public. Work, entertainment, exercise – everything is already great in VR. Don’t rely on tiny rectangular screens as a way for humans to communicate with machines.

    • Ed Newton-Rex is the founder of Fairly Trained, a nonprofit organization that certifies generative AI companies that respect the rights of creators, and a visiting scholar at Stanford University.

    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

    The Ethical Dilemma of AI in Art: Controversial or Innovative? Exploring How Artists are Embracing AI in their Work

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    CBeloved actor, film star, and refugee advocate Atheé Blanchett stands at the podium addressing the European Parliament: “The future is now,” she says authoritatively. So far, so normal, but then you’re asked, “But where are the sex robots?”

    The footage is from an actual speech Blanchett gave in 2023, but the rest is fictional.

    Her voice was generated by Australian artist Xanthe Dobie using text-to-speech platform PlayHT for Dobie’s 2024 video work, Future Sex/Love Sounds, which imagines a feminist utopia populated by sex robots and voiced by celebrity clones.

    Much has been written about the world-changing potential of large-scale language models (LLMs), including Midjourney and Open AI’s GPT-4. These models are trained on massive amounts of data, generating everything from academic papers, fake news, and “revenge porn.” Music, images, software code.

    While supporters praise the technology for speeding up scientific research and eliminating routine administrative tasks, it also presents a wide range of workers, from accountants, lawyers, and teachers to graphic designers, actors, writers, and musicians, with an existential crisis.

    As the debate rages, artists like Dobie are beginning to use these very tools to explore the possibilities and precarity of technology itself.

    “The technology itself is spreading at a faster rate than the law can keep up with, which creates ethical grey areas,” says Dobie, who uses celebrity internet culture to explore questions of technology and power.

    “We see replicas of celebrities all the time, but data on us, the little people of the world, is collected at exactly the same rate… It’s not a question of technology capabilities. [that’s bad]That’s how flawed, stupid, evil people choose to use it.”

    Choreographer Alisdair McIndoe is another artist working at the intersection of technology and art: His new work, Plagiary, premieres this week at Melbourne’s Now or Never festival before running in a season at the Sydney Opera House, and uses custom algorithms to generate new choreography for dancers to receive for the first time each night.

    Although the AI-generated instructions are specific, each dancer is able to interpret them in their own way, making the resulting performance more like a human-machine collaboration.

    In Alisdair McIndoe’s Plagiary at Now or Never festival, dancers respond to AI-generated instructions. Photo: Now or never

    Not all artists are fans of technology. Nick Cave, January 2023 Posted a scathing review He called the song ChatGPT generated by imitating his work “nonsense” and a “grotesque mockery of humanity.”

    “Songs come from suffering,” he says, “which means they’re based on complex, inner human conflicts of creation. And as far as I know, algorithms don’t have emotions.”

    Painter Sam Leach doesn’t agree with Cave’s idea that “creative genius” is an exclusively human trait, but he encounters this kind of “total rejection of technology and everything related to it” frequently.

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    Fruit Preservation (2023), directed by Sam Leach. Photo: Albert Zimmermann/Sam Leach

    He justifies his use of sources by emphasizing that he spends hours “editing” with a paintbrush to refine the software’s suggestions. He also uses an art critic chatbot to question his ideas.

    For Leach, the biggest concern about AI isn’t the technology itself or how it’s being used, but who owns it: “There are very few giant companies that own the biggest models and have incredible power.”

    One of the most common concerns about AI is copyright. This is an especially complicated issue for people working in the artistic sector, whose intellectual property is being used to train multi-million dollar models, often without their consent or compensation. For example, last year, it was revealed that 18,000 Australian books had been used in the Book3 dataset without permission or compensation. Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan described this as “the biggest act of copyright theft in history.”

    And last week, Australian music rights organization APRA AMCOS Presenting the survey results They found that 82% of members are concerned that AI will reduce their ability to make a living from music.

    Source: www.theguardian.com

    How tractor beams could soon become a reality: A breakdown of how they’ll work

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    A beam is a stream of particles moving from a source to a target, exerting a pushing force rather than a pulling force on the target.

    On Earth, we can use a vacuum cleaner to pull something towards us, but in reality, we are creating a pressure difference that causes the remaining air molecules to push the object.

    This method is not considered a beam and would not work in space where there are no molecules in a vacuum.

    However, in space, objects can be moved without using beams. The “gravity tractor” is a concept for a spacecraft that would maneuver near an asteroid and utilize mutual gravity to alter its trajectory.

    The spacecraft uses ion thrusters to counteract the gravitational pull of the asteroid, effectively pulling it forward at a controlled pace.

    Although gravity is a universal force present between all objects with mass, it is relatively weak.

    As an alternative, the European Space Agency (ESA) has explored the possibility of utilizing electrostatic attraction as a stronger force. However, this force can be neutralized due to the canceling of positive and negative charges on objects.

    The ESA study discussed methods to charge an asteroid, such as bombarding it with electrons to create a charged object that can be influenced by the spacecraft charged to around 20,000 volts, acting as a type of tractor beam.

    While this method is slower than a science fiction tractor beam, it demonstrates a potential approach to manipulating objects in space.

    This article was written in response to a question from Alexandra Rowland about the feasibility of a Star Trek-style tractor beam.

    If you have any inquiries, please contact us at the email address below. For additional details, you can also reach out to us on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (please include your name and location).

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    Source: www.sciencefocus.com

    UK Officials Call for AI Companies to Safeguard Creatives’ Work

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    Ministers must protect content creators whose work has been used without permission by tech companies for AI products like chatbots, which generate significant financial gains, according to a House of Lords committee.

    The Lords Communications and Digital Committee stated that the UK’s legal framework is failing to uphold copyright principles as AI development progresses.

    The commission highlighted that high-tech companies are using copyrighted materials without authorization and reaping substantial benefits.

    Copyright has become a crucial issue in the development of generative AI, which involves creating text, images, and audio from human commands.

    The committee called for government action against copyright infringement and urged for an update to the legal framework to prevent such outcomes.

    Additionally, the committee recommended that the government evaluate whether the current copyright law adequately safeguards the rights of copyright owners and consider amending the law if there is legal uncertainty.

    Furthermore, the Intellectual Property Office of the government is working on a code of practice for copyright and AI. The Copyright Act of 1988 exempts text and data mining for “non-commercial” research, but the government had initially planned to extend this exemption to all uses in 2022, which has since been withdrawn.

    In the US, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, is facing lawsuits for alleged copyright infringement, as it has been accused of using copyrighted material to create its tools. Similarly, Microsoft and other companies have emphasized the potential negative impacts of restricted access to data on the functionality of AI models.

    The committee also cautioned the government about the prolonged technological disruption caused by AI and the need to prevent the concentration of market power in a few companies’ hands.

    A government spokesperson indicated that the Intellectual Property Office has been collaborating with stakeholders to formulate voluntary regulations on AI and copyright, aimed at facilitating the thriving coexistence of AI and creative industries.

    Source: www.theguardian.com

    My Purpose at Work: Doing Exciting Things like Going to the Moon – Interview with Christina Koch

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    Christina Koch has a job that kids dream about. Starting in 2019, on her first mission to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut She spent 328 days in space, the longest period ever spent by a woman in space. During that mission, she 3D printed living tissue, grew proteins, worked on dark matter experiments, and was half of the first all-female spacewalk.

    Now Koch is preparing for his next adventure as part of the space agency's ambitious project to send humans back to the moon. With this, she will cement her own place in the history books. Koch and three other astronauts will spend 10 days orbiting the moon on the Artemis II mission, scheduled for November. However, there are lifetime safety restrictions on the amount of time astronauts can spend in space, so doing this would probably prevent them from setting foot on the moon in the future. Nevertheless, she would be the first woman to orbit Earth's satellite and look behind its mysterious backside.

    Artemis II will be the first manned test of NASA's giant Space Launch System rocket and its apex Orion spacecraft, preparing for a future mission aimed at landing humans on the moon's surface for the first time since 1972. becomes. Mr. Koch said: new scientist About her important work on the ISS, the smells of space, and the unique microgravity sports you can play in orbit.

    Leah Crane: What was it like…

    Source: www.newscientist.com