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Initially, the introduction of ChatGPT alarmed many faculty members. The ability of an algorithm to generate a convincing essay in seconds raised concerns about the future of higher education and philosophy, which thrive on thoughtful reflection and well-crafted writing. Over the last two years, however, I’ve reached a different perspective: the issue isn’t that AI…

In higher education, student evaluations of teaching are a common method for assessing the effectiveness of instruction. Many institutions use standardized forms at the end of courses, and the results significantly impact faculty promotions, tenure decisions, and annual reviews. Although student feedback offers valuable insights into their experiences, relying heavily on these evaluations presents challenges….

Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer emphasized the importance of civic education as a means to reduce polarization and enhance citizenship during a recent forum at the Ed School. Speaking with Martin West, Breyer expressed concern about the current climate of disagreement and suggested that reinstating civics education in 12th grade could be a long-term…

Jonathan Zittrain, Carissa Véliz, and Eric Beerbohm recently discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on human interaction at a Harvard event. The panel, moderated by Beerbohm, focused on how AI chatbots like Claude and ChatGPT are changing communication and the ethical issues involved. They cited a JAMA Internal Medicine study where AI responses to health…

To commemorate the late Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering tech executive and former YouTube CEO, Harvard has named a library in her honor at the Science and Engineering Complex. The dedication of the Susan Wojcicki Library took place earlier this spring, attended by Harvard’s President Alan Garber, other university officials, faculty, students, and the Troper Wojcicki…

President Sally Kornbluth shared her awe at the remarkable science and engineering at MIT during a live discussion with Slate’s Lizzie O’Leary. She discussed the vital role of curiosity-driven science, the significance of basic research for the nation’s future, and her thoughts on AI and education. Kornbluth also joined in singing the Williams College song…

Researchers globally are striving to enhance qubits, the tiny fundamental units of quantum computers. These qubits are extremely delicate, making them prone to errors that can reduce the efficiency of the devices. A new cluster tool at MIT.nano is set to empower scientists to further improve qubit performance. Recently, people passing by MIT.nano may have…

Recent research indicates that both animals and humans have intricate interactions with bacteria within and around them. The gut microbiome in humans has been linked to conditions like depression and Parkinson’s disease. A study by neuroscientists from The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at MIT aims to understand how the bacterial microbiome affects brain…

Relaxor ferroelectrics have long been integral to technologies such as ultrasounds, microphones, and sonar systems due to their distinct atomic structures. Until now, direct measurement of this structure has been elusive. A team from MIT and other institutions has successfully mapped the three-dimensional atomic structure of a relaxor ferroelectric for the first time. Their findings,…

Activating a gene within a cell can trigger a ripple effect along the DNA, altering its physical structure, according to research from MIT. This study reveals that these ripples can either enhance or suppress adjacent genes. The winding or unwinding of nearby DNA, influenced by the gene sequence order, usually activates genes upstream and inhibits…