“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” — Arthur C. Clarke’s, Third Law.
Upcoming Events
AILA T-Shirt Contest Submissions- Oct 15th Deadline
Calling all creatives! AILA is hosting a T-Shirt Design Contest, and we want YOUR designs to take center stage. Whether you’re an AI enthusiast or a humanist with a passion for innovation, this contest is for you. Craft a design that captures the essence of Artificial Intelligence in the Liberal Arts and you could be selected to have your artwork featured on our AILA merch! Use this form to submit your design!
Prize: $20 gift card and your printed design!
NEW in October: AILA Community Hours
Do you have AI-related questions or concerns that you’d like to discuss with other interdisciplinary thinkers? We’re here to help! The AI in the Liberal Arts team is opening its doors to members of the Five Colleges community twice weekly (and anytime by appointment) to field any questions about projects or knowledge-gaps you might have. Catch us on Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30p and Thursday afternoons 12-2p in Science Building C211. Email us to let us know you’re coming!
Featured AI News
It’s hard to keep up with all the AI-related News these days, but here are a couple stories that have us thinking and discussing. Let us know what AI News stories have you riveted!
WGA deal ensures that AI complements rather than replaces workers.
After 148 days, the Writers Guild of America reached a tentative deal with significant implications for the role of AI in labor relations and the future of digital work. The rise of AI affects all workers, irrespective of their job type or education. The WGA’s deal provides a template for other unions and workers on how to negotiate with technology at the heart of discussions. Dive deeper here.
NSA Opens AI Security Center
Last Wednesday, the National Security Agency (NSA) launched a dedicated artificial intelligence security center. The security center aims to protect these systems from theft and sabotage, as well as safeguard the country from external AI-based threats. Read more.
AILA Recommended Reads
Engaging an interdisciplinary community of participants in discussions and activities about AI requires we stay in the know. Here are some of our recommended reads this week!
New Academic Journal Alert!: Critical AI (Duke University Press)
Releasing its inaugural issue October 1, 2023, Critical AI proclaims itself a “new interdisciplinary undertaking” which hopes to cultivate dialogue among those who see “interdisciplinary research as a powerful tool for building accountable technology in the public interest.” The first issue covers topics on inequity in Brazil, to anti-fascist approaches to AI. Check it out here and let us know what you think!
Featured AI Tool
Our AI Mentorship and Tools team are always exploring new uses for AI. Here is their latest discovery. Check it out and let us know what you think!
Synthesia.io is an AI video creation tool used primarily in business and professional contexts, without the overhead of cameras, actors, and studios. The process is simple: you write down the script and edit a slideshow. What you generate is a realistic video that closely replicates typical professional video productions, such as sales pitches and marketing initiatives. It is now trusted and used by thousands of companies such as Accenture and PwC, and can be used to generate anything you can imagine. Try it out and let us know what you think!
