Mastodawn

The scientist who predicted AI psychosis has issued a warning regarding AI eroding abilities to reason and leading to cognitive debt https://www.psypost.org/the-scientist-who-predicted-ai-psychosis-has-issued-another-dire-warning/

The scientist who predicted AI psychosis has issued another dire warning

Outsourcing your thinking to AI might be eroding your ability to reason. A new commentary warns that "cognitive debt" poses a critical threat to science, suggesting that bypassing mental struggle could stunt future human capabilities.

PsyPost Psychology News

Natalie Lafferty May 28, 2025

The Dark Side of AI Companionship: A Taxonomy of Harmful Algorithmic Behaviors in Human-AI Relationships https://dl.acm.org/doi/full/10.1145/3706598.3713429

Natalie Lafferty Dec 19, 2024

Stanford University professor and misinformation expert accused of making up citations in a court filing has apologized — and blamed the gaffe on his sloppy use of ChatGPT. https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/stanford-expert-gpt-minnesota-deepfakes-19954595.php

Natalie Lafferty Dec 18, 2024

SURF, the ICT cooperative of Dutch education and research institutions is advising universities not to use MS365 Copilot for the time being due to privacy risks https://www.surf.nl/en/news/surf-advises-not-to-use-microsoft-365-copilot-for-the-time-being-due-to-privacy-risks

SURF advises not to use Microsoft 365 Copilot for the time being due to privacy risks

We advise educational and research institutions not to use Microsoft 365 Copilot for the time being. This is because research shows that there are privacy risks associated with using the generative AI tool. We remain in contact with Microsoft to resolve these risks, but advise not to use Microsoft 365 Copilot for the time being.

SURF.nl

Natalie Lafferty Jun 17, 2024

RMc Jun 17, 2024

Calling Academic & Professional Services staff in UK-based Universities.

Share your views on the use of GenAI in #HigherEd and help support responsible & effective use of GenAI.

Complete the survey at https://abdn.site/GenAI-in-HE-Survey

w/ @louisedrumm @nlafferty

Staff and Student Survey

Natalie Lafferty Apr 24, 2024

It’s Time to Ditch the Idea of Edtech Disruption. But What Comes Next? https://www.edsurge.com/news/2024-04-12-it-s-time-to-ditch-the-idea-of-edtech-disruption-but-what-comes-next

It’s Time to Ditch the Idea of Edtech Disruption. But What Comes Next?

COVID-19 was edtech’s big moment, and while digital tools kept learning going for many families and schools, they also faltered. A great deal of edtech ...

EdSurge

Natalie Lafferty Apr 2, 2024

Some thoughts on generative AI from a law firm. “The narrative it generates is still a made-up answer created with algorithms, not with thought and judgment.” https://news.bloombergtax.com/tax-insights-and-commentary/why-our-law-firm-bans-generative-ai-for-research-and-writing

Why Our Law Firm Bans Generative AI for Research and Writing

General counsel Peter Winders explains why Carlton Fields prohibits its lawyers from using generative AI to produce briefs, motion arguments, researched opinions, and other legal products.

Natalie Lafferty Mar 31, 2024

Concerns about security, ethics and copyright are leading to pauses on enterprise level adoption of generative AI https://diginomica.com/ai-two-reports-reveal-massive-enterprise-pause-over-security-and-ethics

AI - two reports reveal a massive enterprise pause over security and ethics

Two surveys by tech vendors reveal a significant slowdown in AI adoption as business and IT leaders consider the legal and practical ramifications.

diginomica

Natalie Lafferty Mar 30, 2024

This blog post from the Queen Mary UCU branch is a grim roll call of UK universities cutting posts and academic departments. All the more grim as I’m guessing this list is likely to grow. https://qmucu.org/qmul-transformation/uk-he-shrinking/

UK HE shrinking

a live page of all the redundancies and restructures happening across UK Higher Education. Page is updated regularly.

Natalie Lafferty Mar 18, 2024

The Association for Learning Technology @A_L_T have opened proposals for new special interest groups. A great opportunity to nurture and support a community of practice in learning. https://www.alt.ac.uk/news/all_news/proposals-are-open-new-special-interest-groups

Proposals are open for new Special Interest Groups | Association for Learning Technology

ALT’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) bring together our Members around a common theme or topic. SIGs are an important way for ALT’s Members to share, collaborate, develop and pursue their interests with their peers.Current SIGs include groups focussed on active learning, anti-racism, copyright, evaluation of learners' experiences and open education. If there is a topic you would like to see established as a SIG, we encourage you to submit a proposal and become an Officer of the Group.