In September 2023, leaders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gathered at Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research. Harvard is enhancing its support for HBCUs with a $1.05 million grant. This funding, as part of the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative, aims to bolster research capabilities at 15 HBCUs….
I have an interest in observing people’s phone home screens and desk setups, which may seem geeky and consumer-focused. Recently, I revisited Doug Belshaw’s work after losing track of it for a few years, and I enjoyed his post about being intentional with tech stacks. He highlights that choosing your tech stack is challenging since…
Crafting violins is an art that combines musical, technical, and historical expertise. Traditionally, luthiers have relied on their skills and intuition, waiting until an instrument is completed before evaluating its sound. Now, MIT engineers have developed a tool that allows makers to experiment with a violin’s design and acoustics before physical construction begins. A study…
MIT and IBM have joined forces to establish the MIT-IBM Computing Research Lab, a new venture aimed at exploring the future of computing. This facility will focus on quantum computing and foundational AI research, seeking to surpass the capabilities of current classical systems. The lab is an expansion of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, initiated…
Researchers at MIT have created a new method that can speed up a privacy-preserving AI training technique by approximately 81 percent. This development allows a broader range of edge devices, like sensors and smartwatches, to use more accurate AI models while maintaining user data privacy. The team enhanced the efficiency of federated learning, which is…
Many university staff are familiar with students who grasp course content but struggle on multiple-choice tests. These students often express confusion over why extensive studying doesn’t improve their grades. The problem frequently lies not in their knowledge but in their lack of strategic test-taking skills. Although these strategies are seldom taught, they significantly impact student…
Upon the introduction of ChatGPT, many educators were initially alarmed. They questioned the future of higher education and philosophy, which rely on thoughtful reflection and carefully composed writing. However, over the last two years, I have come to a different perspective: the real issue is not AI’s ability to outperform students in writing, but how…
Climbing Mount Everest is becoming safer, according to a recent study, although the mountain remains perilous with nearly one in 100 climbers not returning. Paul Firth, a seasoned climber and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, spearheaded the research to enhance the safety of climbers by studying high-altitude fatalities since George…
Deborah Willis, a photographer, curator, and historian, has been on a journey to uncover the history of Black photographers since her college days. While studying at the Philadelphia College of Art, she noticed the absence of Black photographers in history books and the limited representation of Black individuals, who were often depicted only in contexts…
The Fisk Jubilee Singers and Harvard Glee Club recently collaborated for the first time in their long histories, performing together in Nashville. Both choirs are among the most renowned collegiate groups in the United States, with Harvard’s Glee Club established in 1858 and the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1871. The Harvard Glee Club, known as…
