MIT Researchers Enhance AI Agents’ Speed and Energy Efficiency
Agentic workflows are AI-driven software setups that link various models and tools to perform intricate…
Agentic workflows are AI-driven software setups that link various models and tools to perform intricate tasks, such as video analysis and question answering. However, their fragmented design often leads to inefficiencies, wasting computation, energy, and costs. To address this, MIT and Microsoft researchers created an intelligent system to simplify the design of these workflows and…
Could the design of your home impact your political engagement? A study by MIT researchers suggests it can, especially in Accra, Ghana. In this city, many residents live in “compound houses,” which feature shared spaces like kitchens and bathrooms while maintaining private bedrooms. The study reveals that those in compound houses are more active politically,…
Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Harvard faculty and staff discuss the allure of novels featuring unreliable narrators, explaining the attraction to these complex characters. Sy Boles, a Harvard staff writer, highlights the long-standing presence of such narrators in storytelling. Ian Shank, an expository writing preceptor, notes that the relationship between reader, narrator, and author creates…
When an animal’s surroundings transform more rapidly than it can adjust, its survival odds can plummet. This holds true for populations and entire species. Researchers from MIT and the University of Leicester have discovered that this link between evolutionary adaptation and environmental change speed is applicable on a global scale, influencing the likelihood of mass…
In 2022, the construction industry was responsible for over 7% of global carbon emissions due to material production. However, it’s unclear how much of these materials were essential for constructing infrastructure like buildings and bridges. Topology optimization, a technique that can cut material use by up to 90%, could significantly reduce emissions. Despite this, it’s…
Transitioning to higher education can seem surprisingly unstructured. After spending 22 years in K–12 education, I had more freedom but less clarity on gauging progress. Some days ended with minimal writing and doubts about my achievements. Over time, I developed practical systems to enhance focus, build momentum, and achieve daily success. Three strategies were particularly…
An adjunct professor specializing in educational leadership, whose students are often working professionals, emphasizes the importance of attendance in classes. These students attend sessions after long workdays, and the professor acknowledges their effort. Rather than viewing missed classes as a lack of commitment, the professor sees it as a challenge shaped by various demands. Despite…
Engaging in physical activity is beneficial, regardless of the form it takes. This was emphasized by panelists during a discussion at the Chan School on Thursday, which focused on the advantages of staying active and moving away from the “no pain, no gain” mentality. Meagan Wasfy, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School,…
MIT researchers have created a new chip that could assist small, low-power UAVs in navigating obstacles as they maneuver through complex environments, such as industrial HVAC systems, to inspect for gas leaks. This chip enables tiny autonomous robots and other battery-dependent devices to generate detailed 3D maps of their surroundings in real-time, consuming only as…
In his new memoir, Lamar Alexander reflects on the evolution of the Republican Party, noting a shift from being driven by elected officials and voters to the rise of more radical activist groups, which increased polarization. The book, “The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump,” is published by Post Hill Press. Despite a…