A Personal Notebook

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Successful people track their progress, set goals, reflect, and learn from their mistakes. And they often use some kind notebook to accomplish this. If you want to get somewhere in life, you need a map, and this notebook is that map. You can write down what you did today, what you tried to accomplish, where you made mistakes, and so forth. It’s a place to reflect. It’s a place to capture important thoughts. It’s a place to be able to track where you’ve been and where you intend to go. It’s one of the most underused, yet incredibly effective tools available to the masses.

Angel Chernoff

Setting Goals

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Self-regulation begins with setting goals - not big, life-directing goals, but more immediate goals for what you're going to be doing today. In the research, the poorest performers don't set goals at all; they just slog through their work. Mediocre performers set goals that are general and are often focused on simply achieving a good outcome - win the order; get the new project proposal done. The best performers set goals that are not about the outcome but rather about the process of reaching the outcome. 

The best performers are focused on how they could get better at some specific element of the work, just as a pianist may focus on improving a particular passage.

With a goal set, the next step is planning how to reach it. Again, the best performers make the most specific, technique-oriented plans. They're thinking exactly, not vaguely, of how to get where they're going. So if their goal is discerning the customer's unstated needs, their plan for achieving it on that day may be to listen for certain key words the customer might use, or to ask specific questions to bring out the customer's crucial issues.

Geoff Colvin, Why Talent is Overrated  

27 Articles about Politics & AI

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FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the election - Associated Press

As AI entrenches itself in the political world, discerning real from fake is critical – NBC Boston

Mayoral candidate vows to let VIC, an AI bot, run Wyoming’s capital city – Washington Post

Brands Love Influencers (Until Politics Get Involved) – New York Times

What AI is doing to campaigns - Politico

See why AI detection tools can fail to catch election deepfakes – Washington Post

Saudi Arabia Spends Big to Become an A.I. Superpower – New York Times

Trump's crowd-photo claims speed AI-driven truth decay – Axios  

The brewing storm over California’s AI bill – Semafor

Secretaries of state urge Musk to fix AI chatbot spreading false election info - Washington Post

With Smugglers and Front Companies, China Is Skirting American A.I. Bans - New York Times 

A neurological disorder stole her voice. Jennifer Wexton takes it back on the House floor – Associated Press  

A Kamala Harris Presidency Could Mean More of the Same on A.I. Regulation - New York Times 

California is a battleground for AI bills, as Trump plans to curb regulation - Washington Post 

Censorship slows China's AI advances – Axios  

US agents shut down huge Russian AI bot farm as fears over misinformation grow – Semafor  

A Hacker Stole OpenAI Secrets, Raising Fears That China Could, Too - New York Times 

The AI Industry starts to focus on a potential Trump presidency – Semafor  

Forget deepfake videos. Text and voice are this election’s true AI threat. – The Hill

The AI election is here. Regulators can’t decide whose problem it is. - Washington Post 

Generative AI poses Threat to election security, intelligence agencies warn – CBS News

The Low-Paid Humans Behind AI’s Smarts Ask Biden to Free Them From ‘Modern Day Slavery’ – Wired

UN adopts first resolution on artificial intelligence – Associated Press

Few AI deepfakes identified in EU elections, Microsoft president says – Reuters

The danger of deepfakes is not what you think – Financial Times 

J.D. Vance’s A.I. Agenda: Reduce Regulation – New York Times 

Over 80% of China’s businesses already use generative AI - Fortune

Trump Promotes A.I. Images to Falsely Suggest Taylor Swift Endorsed Him - New York Times

22 Articles about AI & Academic Scholarship

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AI tools for researchers: Key insights for librarians to enhance academic support – Springer Nature

OpenResearcher: An Open-Source Project that Harnesses AI to Accelerate Scientific Research – Marktechpost

Has your paper been used to train an AI model? Almost certainly - Nature

Flood Of 'Junk': How AI Is Changing Scientific Publishing - Barrons

How do I cite generative AI in MLA style? - Modern Language Association

AI scientists are producing a host of new theories of how our brains learn – The Economist 

Should scientists be paid when AI chatbots use their work? – Chemistry World

Artificial intelligence in scientific medical writing: Legitimate and deceptive uses and ethical concerns – Science Direct  

Revisiting the ‘Research Parasite’ Debate in the Age of AI – Undark  

AI is complicating plagiarism. How should scientists respond? – Nature

Woefully Insufficient Publisher Policies on Author AI Use Put Research Integrity at Risk – Scholarly Kitchen  

Academic authors 'shocked' after Taylor & Francis sells access to their research to Microsoft AI – The Bookseller 

Research findings strongly argue against the use of free AI detectors to detect fake scientific images - arXiv

Another paper with an anatomically incorrect image has been retracted – Retraction Watch 

Universities Don’t Want AI Research to Leave Them Behind – Wall Street Journal

AI Finds That AI Is Great In New Garbage Research From Tony Blair Institute – 404 Media  

Delving into ChatGPT usage in academic writing through excess vocabulary - arXiv 

AI threatens scientific research with fake papers – The Saturday Paper  

The role of ChatGPT in developing systematic literature searches: an evidence summary - Journal of the European Association for Health Information and Libraries

A Look Under the Hood of Scopus AI: Elsevier’s search tool for scholarly testing – Scholarly Kitchen  

How to cite ChatGPT in APA Style –  American Psychological Association

10 Best AI Tools for Research – BeeBom

How do AI Checkers Work?

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AI checkers will break down text, removing punctuation then use a technique called vectorization to convert it into a mathematical hash code for comparison to other text. Phrases and grammatical structure are assigned weights with uncommon language rated as more likely human-written. The AI detector also looks across the internet for use of the same language. The comparison identifies exact matches and paraphrases. This means data-rich companies like OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are more likely to successfully identify AI-written material. Read more about this process on ZDnet

Setting Boundaries

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Many people feel that they are “people persons,” able to attract others and connect with them. At the same time, however, people persons often feel overwhelmed, anxious and frustrated about the obligations and responsibilities that their bonded relationships demand.  

Setting boundaries is the primary tool for strengthening your separateness and developing an accurate sense of responsibility.  The essence of boundaries is determining where you end and someone else begins, realizing your own person apart from others, and knowing your limits.  

A good way to understand this is to compare our lives to a house. Houses have certain maintenance needs, such as painting, terminate control and roof repairs. If, however, we’re spending all our time putting roofs on our neighbor’s houses while neglecting our own roof or we run the risk of a leaky roof or worse by the time we get back home.  

Think of all the different caring acts you performed over the last 24 hours. How many did you do grudgingly because you were under the threat of someone’s criticism or abandonment?  How many did you do under compulsion because you feel guilty if you don’t keep people happy?  And how many were from a cheerful heart, from the overflow caused by knowing you are loved by God and people in your life?   

John Townsend

Courses & Guides on Using AI

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16 Webinars This Week about Journalism, AI, Ethics, Social Media & More

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Mon, Aug 19 - Research for the Newsroom: Practical tools for adding depth to breaking and enterprise stories (4 meetings)

What: Students will learn strategies and tools for finding information in the course of your daily reporting.

Who: Barbara Gray of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York; John O’Neil of Bloomberg News

When: Aug. 19-Sept. 15

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: UT Austin Knight Center for Journalism

More Info

 

Mon, Aug 19 - Climate Solutions Journalism: A Community-informed & Equity-focused Approach (2 meetings)

What: You will learn the key principles of solutions journalism. What is it? What is it not? Why is it important? And how to make it happen, from idea to reporting to completed story. The goal of this program is also to increase the number of news outlets publishing solutions-focused stories on the climate crisis.

Who: Hugo Balta, Solutions Journalism Network

When: Aug. 19 & Sept. 1

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: UT Austin Knight Center for Journalism

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 19 - What AI Still Can’t Do

What: This session will examine the critical gaps in current AI capabilities and explore the advancements needed to elevate its impact across the nonprofit industry. We will uncover where AI technology needs to evolve, focusing on a mix of technology and ethical considerations. Additionally, we will address the human side of this transformation, emphasizing the importance of change management within organizations to foster an AI-ready culture.

Who: Griff Bohm Co-Founder SKY Developer Cohort; Abi Scott DMK Blackbaud

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Blackbaud

More Info

 

Mon, Aug 19 - Using AI Tools like ChatGPT to Help You Launch and Grow Your Business 

What: In this workshop, you will learn how to harness AI tools effectively at every step of your entrepreneurial journey.

Who: Daniel Street, Asst. Professor of Accounting & Financial Management, Bucknell University

When: 6 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop 

More Info

 

Mon, Aug 19 - AI in Video Journalism: Uses, Best Practices and Ethics – ONA Minilab

What: This session will cover practical applications, ethics, and best practices for AI in video creation. We’ll examine how AI can improve accessibility, automate processes, and generate insights, while also addressing concerns about content accuracy, algorithmic bias, and journalistic integrity.

Who: Basil Shadid is a documentary film and commercial producer whose credits include Academy Award nominated, Emmy winning, and Audience award winning films.

When: 12 noon, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: $25 or free for ONA members

Sponsors: Online News Association, the Video Consortium

More Info

 

Mon, Aug 19 - Social science essentials for local reporters 

What: This free one-hour “crash course”—designed specifically for local and general assignment reporters—teaches basic principles about how social science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story with a human element, especially this election season. The speakers will lay out key do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting.

Who: Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Dr. Tori Espensen.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: New England Newspaper & Press Association

More Info

 

Tue, Aug 20 - All AI Models Are Not Created Equal: and That’s a Good Thing

What: This presentation explores: Compelling differences in model performance (e.g open source vs. closed, model, vs model); The importance of a healthy, competitive ecosystem in lowering costs and maximizing ROI; Why end users need to rely on a variety of customized models; How to optimize model selection based on price, speed, and quality We'll demonstrate how understanding and leveraging these distinctions can lead to more effective AI implementation across various projects.

Who: Ivan Lee, Datasaur, CEO

When: 12 noon, Eastern  

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Open Data Science

More Info

 

Tue, Aug 20 - AI as Your Image Creation Sidekick

What: You'll learn the power of DALL-E 3 by mastering the art of crafting precise and creative prompts that generate high-quality images tailored to your needs. Discover the secrets of effective image prompt creation Practice advanced image strategies that will save you time and boost your creativity Work through practical exercises and prompt hacks so you leave with the confidence to create images that reflect your imagination.

Who: Shannon Tipton, Owner of Learning Rebels

When: 12 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Training Magazine Network

More Info

 

Wed, Aug 21 - Emerging Social Media Trends 

What: The world of social networks is changing rapidly. Yet, it’s important to know what will still benefit your business and which up-and-comers are worth your time. Come for an overview of the latest social marketing trends, as Digital Marketing Strategist Ray Sidney-Smith walks you through the trends and the latest forecasts! There’s no time like the present to plan your social media marketing and choose the right strategy, networks, and tactics.

Who: Ray Sidney-Smith, CEO, W3 Consulting

When: 10 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: $45

Sponsor: Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop 

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 – Rural Health Journalism Workshop 2024

What: Join us for a daylong virtual workshop of talks, presentations and conversation about some of the biggest challenges in rural health. We’ll unpack the nuances of the rural hospital closures crisis; innovative solutions to health care workforce shortages; the national picture of reproductive health care access; what happened to all that opioid settlement money; and a candid conversation about what people still get wrong about rural America (and why it matters).

Who: A variety of journalists, academics, and health care professionals (see link for a list)

When: 9 am – 5 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Discount for members

Sponsor: Association of Health Care Journalists

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 - Leveraging AI Tools like ChatGPT to Accelerate Your Business Growth 

What: In this webinar, discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your business operations and drive exponential growth.  Topics covered will include: Understanding AI: An introduction to AI and how it can be integrated into business operations; Practical Applications: Real-world examples of how businesses use AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance productivity and customer engagement; Implementation Strategies: Step-by-step guidance on how to start using AI tools in your business with minimal cost and effort; Future Trends: Insights into the future of AI and how businesses can stay ahead of the curve.

Who: Dr. Jeff Bullock, CEO & Founder of PRISM AI Consultants.  

When: 12 noon, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Pennsylvania Business One-Stop Shop 

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 - Leveraging AI for Video Research Synthesis and Pitch Creation

What: Participants will learn how to harness the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) to synthesize research documents and create compelling pitches. We’ll explore advanced prompting techniques, discuss security considerations when dealing with sensitive information, and walk through the process of crafting and editing fully-formatted pitch with a bit of AI assistance. Attendees will get access to mock interview transcripts, articles, and sample pitch structures to work with.

Who: Alex Clark is an adjunct professor of journalism at Columbia University and producer covering AI and misinformation for CBS News.

When: 12:30 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsors: Online News Association, The Video Consortium

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 - What newspapers need to understand about Artificial Intelligence

What: These 70 minutes will be packed with information about: How AI came into being; What AI actually is and how it works (the details, but you’ll understand them); How AI has advanced and the types of AI available today; The dangers and pitfalls of AI; AI tools used by newspapers; Legal and ethical challenges when using AI; and much more!

Who: Newspaper Academy’s News Guru Kevin Slimp

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: $69

Sponsor: Virginia Press Association

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 - Public Documents and Enterprise Reporting

What: Tips about how to access information and real-world examples of how document digging paid off.

Who: Chris Coates is a senior director–local news for Lee Enterprises and executive editor of The Richmond Times-Dispatch and other journalists.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: $35

Sponsor: Online Media Campus

More Info

 

Thu, Aug 22 - What is service journalism, and how do I do it right?

What: Service journalism is more important now than ever, and more publications are hungry for this type of reporting. Let’s get into the weeds about how to find, report, write, and pitch compelling, useful service stories!

Who: Tim Herrera, former editor of The New York Times's service journalism desk Smarter Living, and Allie Volpe, senior reporter at Vox.

When: 4 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: $20

Sponsor: Freelancing With Tim

More Info

 

Fri, Aug 23 - The Future of PR: Emerging Trends and Changing Landscape

What: Learn about key drivers of change: technology, consumer behavior, and media evolution.  Discover the latest trends: digital PR, data-driven strategies, and social media. Learn how to integrate new tools and technologies into PR campaigns. Understand how to create engaging content for modern audiences.

Who: Nitin Naveen, Vice president-Innovation Strategy, AICorespot; Nandita Sen, Senior Director – Research & Analytics, InfoVision; Brandon Edwards, CEO, Unlock Health; Steve Bauer, SVP & Senior Partner, FleishmanHillard St. Louis; Ashley Barton, Senior Vice President & Group Director, 5WPR.

When: 9:45 am – 11:15 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: AICorespot

More Info

20 Articles about the Limitations of AI

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Creating your own misery

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As long as you live in a society with other fallible humans you will be frustrated and hassled - not merely occasionally - all of your life. The best way to avoid feeling miserable about virtually anything that will ever occur in your lifetime is to admit that you create your own misery.

(Irrational beliefs that interfere with emotional health include..)

  • I must do well... win the approval of others... or else I will rate as a rotten person.

  • Others must treat me with considerately and kindly... Other people must not behave incompetently or stupidly.

  • The world (and the people in it) must arrange the conditions under which I live so that I get what I want when I want it.

Albert Ellis

 

AI Definitions: Neural Networks

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Neural Networks - In this type of machine learning, computers learn a task by analyzing training examples. It is modeled loosely on the human brain—the interwoven tangle of neurons that process data and find complex associations. Neural networks were first proposed in 1944 by two University of Chicago researchers (Warren McCullough and Walter Pitts) who moved to MIT in 1952 as founding members of what’s sometimes referred to as the first cognitive science department. Neural nets remained a major research area in neuroscience and computer science until 1969. The technique enjoyed a resurgence in the 1980s, fell into disfavor in the first decade of the new century, and has returned stronger in the second decade, fueled largely by the increased processing power of graphics chips. Also, see “Transformers.”

More AI definitions here.

19 articles about using AI to do specific things

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20 Articles about Amazing Things AI can do Now

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Researchers say they have developed a machine learning tool that can track the progression of Parkinson’s disease – Decrypt  

This AI humanoid robot helped assemble BMWs at US factory - Arstechnica

USC researchers say have developed an AI model that accurately predicts wildfire spread using satellite data &  Gen AI - CyberNews

AI tool outperforms existing x-ray structure methods - Chemistry World

MIT Researchers say they have developed an AI model that can accurately identify the stages of some types of breast cancer – MIT  

Getty Images Updated Generative AI Pushes Boundaries Of What’s Possible – Search Engine Journal

What It's Like Using a Brain Implant With ChatGPT (Video) - Cnet

Google DeepMind AI system reaches milestone in global math contest – Semafor

How AI Brought 11,000 College Football Players to Digital Life in Three Months – Wall Street Journal  

Is AI funnier than humans? This study says so but you be the judge – New York Post

A Japanese mega-conglomerate says it’s building an AI that manipulates angry customers' voices so that call center employees don't have to deal with drama - Arstechnica

AI model harnesses physics to autocorrect remote sensing data - Phys Org

Meet Kenza Layli from Morocco - the winner of the world's first Miss AI beauty pageant – Euronews

‘We don’t want to leave people behind’: AI is helping disabled people in surprising new ways - CNN

NBC will use AI version of Al Michaels’s voice for Olympics coverage – The Hill

Hong Kong researchers say they have created a machine learning algorithm that processes satellite data to more accurately and efficiently predict space weather conditions caused by solar activity - Techxplore

Smashing, from Goodreads’ co-founder, curates the best of the web using AI and human recommendations – TechCrunch 

AI is upending search as we know it – Venture Beat

Generative AI Speech-to-Speech Systems and Their Applications – Datanami  

How AI is helping judge Olympic gymnastics – The Verge