APPLE

.: The AI upgrade cycle is here​

Summary ➜ Apple recently announced impressive new AI features called Apple Intelligence at WWDC 2024 that will be able to take actions based on user data, manage notifications, and rewrite text. However, these features will only be available on the latest, most expensive iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, as well as iPads and Macs with M1 chips or newer. Powerful new AI features are becoming the latest way for tech companies to encourage faster device upgrade cycles, though the true hardware limitations aren’t always transparent. This may compel even happy users of older devices to upgrade sooner than planned.

Why this matters for education ➜ So, Apple makes a considered move with AI. The modest features announced such as only being able to rewrite text, instead of endlessly generating new copy, are grounded in practicality and ensure AI is useful, not just potentially useful. There are two stand out reasons why the Apple announcement from WWDC 2024 matters for education:

1. Privacy and security – as I called out a while ago Apple is putting private, secure and practical AI use in the forefront. They are doing lots of interesting stuff with on-device computation and private cloud integration. These standards will ripple out across the tech ecosystem and will impact how we, and our students, work with AI tools.
2. Making it easy to try AI – combine the above with the potential market for on-device AI something in the region of a billion devices and you see the impact it might have. There is an AI bubble and not as many people have tried AI tools as you might think – Apple’s market position will make it easy for iOS users to try new AI capabilities.

When we zoom out and see how these changes will ripple across the system of expectations and users, it is clear this matters for all AI users.

.: Other News In Brief

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🚫 Microsoft’s all-knowing Recall AI feature is being delayed

👀 Former head of NSA joins OpenAI board

⚡️ Tesla investors sue Elon Musk for launching a rival AI company

💰 Amazon says it’ll spend $230 million on generative AI startups

👁️‍🗨️ GPTZero’s founders, still in their 20s, have a profitable AI detection startup, millions in the bank and a new $10M Series A

🍎 Apple joins the race to find an AI icon that makes sense

🎬 AI is the sixth great revolution in filmmaking (and maybe the most important)

🇪🇺 Meta says European regulators are ruining its AI bot

⛑️ Google Gemini proves a better health coach than humans

🍿 ‘We don’t need Sora anymore’: Luma’s new AI video generator Dream Machine slammed with traffic after debut

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What’s on my mind?

.: Did ChatGPT break open the Overton Window?

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The Overton Window shows a range of ideas that people think are okay to talk about and consider. Ideas inside the window are seen as normal and acceptable, while ideas outside the window are seen as too extreme or not acceptable to most people. Named after Joseph Overton, the window is commonly used to illustrate how public perception of what is politically feasible can shift over time. However, it can also be used to consider technology adoption.

The Overton Window can move as people’s opinions change. Ideas that were once seen as too extreme can become more acceptable and move into the window. For example, think about how people’s views on things like school uniforms, cell phone use in school, or environmental protection have changed over time. Famous people, leaders, and events can change the Overton Window. When influential people talk about new ideas, they can help those ideas become more acceptable.

By Hydrargyrum CC BY-SA 2.0

Understanding the Overton Window helps us see why certain ideas become popular and others don’t. It shows us how public opinion changes and why some topics are discussed more than others. By knowing about the Overton Window, you can better understand how society changes over time and how new ideas become part of our everyday lives.

One such event was the public release of ChatGPT by OpenAI—according to some recent reports, the OpenAI board did not know about the release! I have been wondering about the lasting impact on public acceptance and perception of the release, and the ensuing wave of other large technology company announcements. How much traction has this really gained with the majority of the public? Are people ready to accept and integrate AI tools like ChatGPT into their everyday routines, or do they still see them as too advanced or risky?

Apple’s modest feature release for new iPhones will also shift the window of acceptance, due to the easy access to AI tools grounded in everyday practical use, as well as the vast market share Apple has with mobile devices. I can see on the near horizon the window shifting further as more people use AI tools on their mobile devices and in simple chat interfaces. Although right now there is a bubble of acceptance, use, and to some extent positive sentiment, the growing acceptance of AI use is not far off.

The ChatGPT release may have forced the window ajar, but it’s everyday use on mobile devices that might keep it open.

~ Tom

Prompts

.: Refine your promptcraft

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During my time in India this week, working alongside some talented technology integration teachers, I was struck by how ChatGPT sparked a flurry of creativity for some, during a design challenge.

This experience reinforced my belief that AI can be an incredible ally for expanding our ideas – if we approach it right.

The key? Start with your own initial spark, then let AI push those ideas further, in directions you might not have imagined.

We all have biases and blind spots; AI can help us see beyond them – or at the least, begin to notice them.

Below, I’ve shared a sample prompt that takes this approach. Give it a whirl!”

:. .:

Remember to mak​e this your own, try different language models and evaluate the completions.

Learning

.: Boost your AI Literacy

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INTRO

.: Explained: Generative AI​

The MIT News article provides a comprehensive introduction to generative AI, explaining its definition, mechanisms like Markov chains, GANs, diffusion models, and transformers, and diverse applications such as text and image generation. It also addresses challenges like bias, plagiarism, and worker displacement, offering insights into both the technology and its implications.

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ASSESSMENT ​
​.: Do Students Want AI Writing Feedback?​

In a recent experiment, Mike Kentz tested AI-generated feedback on student essays alongside his own feedback. Students found AI feedback clear and useful but preferred personalised feedback from their teacher. The AI tool, while efficient, often provided generic suggestions and struggled with nuanced critique. The study highlights the balance needed between AI’s efficiency and the irreplaceable human touch in education, suggesting that grading should focus more on the writing process than just the final output.

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COURSE ​
​.: TAFE NSW | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence​

A free beginner-friendly course from CSIRO and TAFE NSW in Australia, that covers real-world applications and terminology without needing prior programming knowledge. The course offers insights from industry experts and covers topics like machine learning and natural language processing in a 2.5-hour online, self-paced format.

Ethics

.: Provocations for Balance
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AI Access and Inequality:

• Provocation: Apple’s decision to restrict advanced AI features to its latest and most expensive devices raises concerns about exacerbating the digital divide. This divide refers to the gap between those who have access to information and communication technologies and those who don’t. By limiting advanced AI tools to those who can afford high-end products, Apple could create a situation where wealthier individuals and institutions have a significant advantage in areas like education, healthcare, and job opportunities. This could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots in society, leading to further social and economic inequality.
• Dilemma: Should technology companies prioritise short-term profits by reserving cutting-edge AI features for expensive products, or should they take on a greater responsibility to ensure equitable access to these powerful tools for everyone, regardless of income level?

AI and Privacy:

• Provocation: Apple’s integration of on-device AI offers a potential double-edged sword. While it enhances privacy by processing data directly on user devices, it also deepens user lock-in within Apple’s ecosystem. This ecosystem refers to the interconnected products and services offered by a single company. By keeping data processing on-device, Apple reduces the need to send user information to the cloud, potentially making it more difficult for hackers or other unauthorized parties to access. However, this approach also means that users become more reliant on Apple’s hardware and software, potentially limiting their choices and making it more difficult to switch to other platforms in the future.
• Dilemma: Is the trade-off between enhanced privacy through on-device computation and the potential for increased data lock-in with a single company justified? How can we strike a balance between protecting user privacy and fostering a healthy level of competition within the tech industry?

Personalized Learning and Human Connection:

• Provocation: The rise of AI-powered personalised learning raises a critical question: can AI effectively replicate the importance of human connection in education? Proponents of AI-driven approaches argue that these systems can tailor learning experiences to individual student needs, potentially leading to improved outcomes. However, as Dan Meyer points out, AI chatbots lack the ability to foster the social relationships that are crucial for effective learning. These human relationships provide students with opportunities for collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, all of which are essential for developing well-rounded individuals.
• Dilemma: Should the education system prioritise the scalability and efficiency promised by AI-powered personalised learning, even if it comes at the expense of fostering essential human connections?

.: :.

Inspired by some of the topics this week.

Got feedback for me?

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If you have any other kind, specific and helpful feedback, please reply to this email or contact me at tom@dialogiclearning.com​

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.: Tom Barrett