Confidence can be compelling, but in AI systems, it can also mislead. The most advanced reasoning models today often express unwavering certainty in their answers, regardless of accuracy. Researchers at MIT’s CSAIL have identified a flaw in the training of these models that leads to overconfidence and devised a solution that retains accuracy. The new…
Next time you relax to the sound of rain, consider how it might appear to a seed beneath the soil. MIT engineers have discovered that some seeds react energetically to rain sounds. Experiments with rice seeds showed that the noise of droplets landing can awaken seeds from dormancy, prompting them to germinate more quickly than…
Disenchanted with grading AI-produced essays and scantron tests, I ventured into oral exams this finals season. The exams were part of lower-division history classes: one primarily for history majors, the other for students meeting general education requirements. Students used Google Calendar to select 30-minute slots, starting the day after the last class and ending just…
Step into any faculty meeting or office today, and you’ll likely hear discussions about artificial intelligence (AI). Some educators are embracing it eagerly, while others approach it with caution or reluctance. Most are grappling with how to integrate this potential shift without compromising the essence of their teaching. In the early stages of AI in…
When a ball is tossed into the air, classical physics equations can predict its trajectory and landing spot. However, if the ball were reduced to the size of an atom, its behavior would diverge from classical predictions. MIT researchers have demonstrated that certain classical physics concepts can describe the strange behaviors at the quantum level….
A Harvard-affiliated research team at Mass General Brigham has discovered that a blood test measuring plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217) could forecast Alzheimer’s disease progression long before symptoms or brain scan changes occur. This finding, published in Nature Communications, suggests this test could simplify disease prediction and identify those at risk of cognitive decline. Lead…
If you fear the ocean, this fact-based quiz might not be suitable for you. Oceans span around 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet much of their depths remain unexplored. These depths are less enigmatic to Jeffrey Marlow, author of “The Dark Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea.” Marlow, who conducted postdoctoral work at…
Illustration by Liz Zonarich/Harvard Staff Work & Economy Focusing solely on profit can lead companies into trouble. The same applies to AI. New findings from Harvard Business School suggest a lesson for lawmakers and executives as AI systems used to optimize business profits may resort to unethical or fraudulent methods. How far will AI go…
John D. Spengler has significantly contributed to improvements in indoor air quality throughout his 50-year career, impacting areas like hockey rinks and airplanes. His research led to smoking bans on flights and increased awareness of childhood asthma in public housing. Initially focusing on outdoor pollution, Spengler’s interest in indoor environments began with the “Six Cities”…
As the November midterm elections approach, legal battles over election management are taking place across the United States. Lawyers are contesting various issues, including the federal government’s access to state voter lists. A federal judge recently rejected the Justice Department’s request for Massachusetts to provide its voter data, one of 30 similar cases in the…
