AKA Review - 01.19.2024

From WIRED

By Steven Levy

Yann LeCun, a pioneer and vocal defender of modern AI, scoffs at "doomers" pushing dystopian scenarios of AI-driven human extinction. Yet he’s equally disdainful that "accelerationism"—simply scaling up machine learning—will get us to human-level AI. At turns witty and grumpy, he argues that opening AI research to a larger community will lead to faster progress, better performance, and greater security. Read this article

From The Hechinger Report
Banning Tech that Will Become a Critical Part of Life is the Wrong Answer for Education
By Ted Mo Chen

A brief overview of the uncertain state of AI use from K-12 through college with useful links to evidence, examples, and resources. Examining codes of conduct that try to distinguish using AI as a tool from cheating, the author emphasizes the need for policies that encourage experimentation—going beyond conduct to think through AI’s impact on student assessment, problem-solving, and competencies. Read this article

From Compact
The Rise of the Sectarian University
By Greg Conti

The real peril faced by elite higher education institutions is not that they could be financially ruined (if big donors significantly back away in response to universities’ stated public positions) nor their operations interfered with by hostile conservatives. It is that their authority and appeal will become more sectarian. They will continue to wield great influence but only over those who already see them as infallible. Read this article

From The New York Times

The Misguided War on the SAT

By David Leonhardt

The decision of colleges to drop SAT requirements for admission is hailed by many as a victory for equity in higher education. Citing extensive data, the author argues that standardized tests can contribute to both excellence and diversity at elite colleges as long as they are used as only one factor in admissions. In particular, they are helpful in identifying lower-income and underrepresented-minority students who will thrive. Read this article

From New America
Higher Education Believers and Skeptics--Who are They?
By Sophie Nguyen

A nationally representative survey from New America shows a majority of Americans agreeing that a college degree leads to better jobs and greater financial security. Yet the results also highlight the different politics and ideologies of "believers" and "skeptics"—where they differ and align on the value of college. Understanding this can help higher education advocates tailor more effective messaging to each group. Read this article