A group of seniors at Texas A&M University–Commerce, who had already celebrated their graduation, found themselves facing a temporary delay in receiving their diplomas. The cause? A professor's misguided attempt to detect cheating by using AI software to assess their final assignments. However, the professor's methodology was flawed, and the incident has shed light on the need for educators to have a better understanding of the technology they employ.
According to the partner of one of the affected students, identified as DearKick on Reddit, Dr. Jared Mumm, an agricultural instructor and campus rodeo teacher, sent an email to the students explaining that they would be receiving an "X" grade in the course because he had used an AI chatbot called "ChatGTP" to determine if they had used the software to write their papers. To everyone's surprise, the bot claimed to have authored every single assignment.
There was just one problem – ChatGPT, the actual name of the OpenAI chatbot, does not function as a tool for detecting AI-generated content. It is not designed to identify material produced by itself or any other AI. In fact, the bot is known to sometimes produce misleading information, and it can even claim to have written passages from famous novels like Crime and Punishment. Educators have a range of effective AI and plagiarism detection tools at their disposal, such as Winston AI and Content at Scale, but ChatGPT is not one of them. Even OpenAI's own tool for determining if a text was written by a bot has been deemed "not very accurate" by a digital marketing agency.
Despite the students' attempts to prove their innocence, including providing timestamps on their Google Documents as evidence that they had not used ChatGPT, Mumm initially dismissed their claims. Frustrated, the students reached out to the dean and president of the university to seek assistance. Some even met with administrators in person to plead their case. It is alleged that Mumm handed out failing grades to multiple classes using the same flawed method, rather than questioning the validity of his approach.
In an ironic twist, a Reddit user named Delicious_Village112 conducted an experiment using ChatGPT. They submitted a section of Mumm's own doctoral dissertation on pig farming to the bot and asked if it could have generated the paragraph. Surprisingly, the chatbot responded affirmatively, stating that it could have produced the text given the right prompt. When asked if it had written Mumm's email to the students, the bot responded positively as well, but clarified that it would not have a record of such an email if someone had used its abilities to help draft it.
DearKick expressed hope that their fiancée's meeting with the university's Dean of Agricultural Science would resolve the issue. They speculated that Mumm may have had little familiarity with chatbots before attempting to use one in this manner. However, the situation became more complicated when two students admitted to using ChatGPT earlier in the semester, potentially complicating matters for those who had not.
In response to the incident, Texas A&M University-Commerce released a statement indicating that they were investigating the matter and developing policies related to the use of AI in the classroom. The university denied that any student had failed the class or been prevented from graduating as a result of this incident. They clarified that some students had received a temporary grade of "X," indicating "incomplete," to allow time for further examination of whether AI was used in their assignments.
The university acknowledged the need to adopt AI detection tools and other resources to manage the intersection of AI technology and higher education, recognizing that the use of AI in coursework presents a rapidly evolving challenge for all learning institutions.
This incident serves as a reminder that while educators may have valid concerns about students using AI for assistance in completing assignments, they also need a solid understanding of the technology to effectively address and prevent cheating. Ideally, this situation will serve as a learning opportunity for everyone involved.
Connor McDavid, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers, proved once again why he is considered one of the most talented players in the NHL. At Monday's awards ceremony, McDavid claimed his third Hart Trophy as the league's Most Valuable Player, capping off a remarkable regular season where he amassed a staggering 153 points.
The 26-year-old superstar began the evening by winning his fourth Ted Lindsay Award, presented to the most outstanding player as voted by his fellow players. Reflecting on his individual achievements, McDavid expressed his appreciation for the significance of these trophies in the world of hockey. He acknowledged that the five-year-old version of himself would be disappointed if he took such accomplishments for granted.
McDavid's exceptional season saw him secure his fifth Art Ross Trophy as the league's leading scorer, finishing a whopping 25 points ahead of his teammate Leon Draisaitl. He also earned his first Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for his league-leading 64 goals. Furthermore, McDavid led the NHL in assists with 89, showcasing his exceptional playmaking abilities.
Having previously won the Hart Trophy in 2017 and 2021, as well as the Ted Lindsay Award in 2017, 2018, and 2021, McDavid's dominance of the league has been undeniable. His outstanding performances have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers.
Other notable winners at the awards ceremony included Erik Karlsson of the San Jose Sharks, who claimed his third Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman, and Linus Ullmark of the Boston Bruins, who secured the Vezina Trophy as the best goaltender.
Patrice Bergeron, the captain of the Boston Bruins, added to his impressive collection of trophies by winning his sixth Selke Trophy as the best defensive forward. Seattle Kraken's Matty Beniers received the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year.
In recognition of their leadership qualities, Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings won the Lady Byng Trophy, while Jim Montgomery, head coach of the Boston Bruins, received the Jack Adams Award for his exceptional coaching performance.
Mikael Backlund of the Calgary Flames was honored with the King Clancy Trophy for his leadership and community work, while Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Masterton Trophy for his perseverance and dedication in the face of personal challenges.
Steven Stamkos, the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was awarded the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which is a testament to his leadership qualities on and off the ice.
Despite McDavid's individual success, he remains hungry for team accomplishments. He firmly believes that a Stanley Cup victory is within his reach, emphasizing that it's only a matter of time before he achieves that ultimate goal.
As the awards ceremony concluded, McDavid set his sights on the upcoming season, knowing that the pursuit of the Stanley Cup will be at the forefront of his mind. While it may seem far away, the determined superstar is ready to put in the work to make his dreams a reality.
In a rather explosive turn of events, bankrupt rocket company Virgin Orbit has announced its decision to shut down after selling its assets and equipment to several aerospace companies in a fiery auction. The company, which had filed for bankruptcy protection in April, failed to secure a funding lifeline and had to resort to drastic measures.
The bidders in Monday's auction included Rocket Lab, Stratolaunch, and Vast's Launcher, all vying for a piece of the rocket pie. The total amount of the bids reached a staggering $36 million, leaving Virgin Orbit's six rockets and intellectual property still up for grabs.
Rocket Lab successfully secured the company's headquarters in Long Beach, California, for a cool $16.1 million. The purchase includes assets like 3D printers and a specialty tank welding machine. Rocket Lab's founder and CEO, Peter Beck, expressed excitement about the acquisition, stating that it would bolster their production capabilities, particularly for their larger Neutron rocket.
Meanwhile, Stratolaunch, known for its ambitious plans in hypersonic flight testing, walked away with Virgin Orbit's 747 jet after submitting a "stalking horse" bid of $17 million. Stratolaunch is developing its own airborne system called "Roc" and hopes to use it as a platform for testing hypersonic technologies.
Not to be outdone, Launcher, a subsidiary of Vast Space, snatched up Virgin Orbit's facility in Mojave, California, for a modest $2.7 million. The purchase also includes machinery, equipment, and inventory. Unfortunately, Launcher declined to comment on their plans for the facility.
As the dust settles on this explosive auction, Virgin Orbit's demise highlights the challenges faced by the company. Despite its successful missions and groundbreaking technologies, Virgin Orbit struggled to raise funds and faced slow execution, ultimately leading to its downfall.
While Virgin Orbit's employees and management express their gratitude to stakeholders and acknowledge the company's lasting impact on the space industry, the auction marks the end of an era for this once multibillion-dollar venture. The bankruptcy court is set to approve the sales in a hearing on Wednesday, signaling the final curtain call for Virgin Orbit.
It seems the rocket industry can be as volatile as the rockets themselves, with companies soaring to great heights one moment and crashing down to Earth the next. For now, we bid adieu to Virgin Orbit and eagerly await the next thrilling chapter in the space race.
A groundbreaking study published in Science reveals that over 50% of the world's largest lakes are losing water due to a combination of climate change and unsustainable human consumption. This trend poses significant challenges to global water resources and ecosystems.
Researchers, led by Fangfang Yao, a climate fellow at the University of Virginia, analyzed satellite observations spanning decades to gain insights into lake water storage variability. Motivated by environmental crises, including the drying of the Aral Sea, an international team of scientists from various institutions developed a novel technique to measure changes in water levels across nearly 2,000 of the largest lakes and reservoirs, which account for 95% of the world's total lake water storage.
Freshwater lakes and reservoirs store 87% of the planet's water, making them vital for both human and Earth ecosystems. However, long-term trends and changes in water levels have remained largely unknown until now.
The study's results are striking: 53% of lakes worldwide experienced a decline in water storage, equivalent to the combined volume of 17 Lake Meads, the largest reservoir in the United States. Climate change and human water consumption were identified as the primary drivers behind the decline, affecting around 100 large lakes globally. Surprisingly, previously unknown factors such as the desiccation of Lake Good-e-Zareh in Afghanistan and Lake Mar Chiquita in Argentina also contribute to water losses. Notably, both dry and wet regions are witnessing a reduction in lake volume, highlighting more widespread drying trends than previously understood.
Large reservoirs faced significant challenges as well, with nearly two-thirds experiencing notable water losses. Sedimentation emerged as the leading cause of storage decline, surpassing the effects of droughts and heavy rainfall, especially in long-established reservoirs filled before 1992.
However, the study does offer some hope. Around 24% of lakes experienced significant increases in water storage, particularly in less populated areas like the inner Tibetan Plateau and the Northern Great Plains of North America. Regions with newly constructed reservoirs, such as the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nile river basins, also saw growing lake volumes.
The implications for sustainable water resource management are substantial, as a quarter of the world's population, roughly 2 billion people, resides in the basin of a drying lake. Urgent action is necessary to incorporate the impacts of human consumption, climate change, and sedimentation into effective water resource management strategies.
Ben Livneh, a co-author of the study and associate professor of engineering at CU Boulder, emphasizes the need to adapt and explore new policies to mitigate large-scale declines in lake water storage. Encouragingly, successful conservation efforts in Lake Sevan, Armenia, have led to increased water storage due to strict enforcement of conservation laws on water withdrawal.
As shrinking lakes become a global reality, it is imperative to protect these invaluable resources. Understanding the causes and effects of declining water storage will enable us to implement sustainable solutions and safeguard our precious lakes for future generations.
Colonel Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), is a name that resonates with food lovers around the world. Born on September 9, 1890, Sanders had a fascinating journey that eventually led him to create one of the most iconic fast food chains in history. His story is filled with hardships, unique experiences, and of course, his famous secret recipe.
Before achieving success with KFC, Sanders held various jobs, from steam engine stoker to insurance salesman. However, it was during the Great Depression that he stumbled upon his true passion—cooking fried chicken. Sanders started selling his delectable chicken from a roadside restaurant in North Corbin, Kentucky. It was here that he developed his secret recipe and perfected his patented method of pressure frying chicken.
Recognizing the potential of franchising, Sanders opened the first KFC franchise in South Salt Lake, Utah, in 1952. The concept took off, and Sanders dedicated himself fully to expanding the franchise across the country. The rapid growth, however, became overwhelming for the Colonel, and in 1964, at the age of 73, he sold the company for $2 million.
Despite selling the company, Sanders remained the face of KFC as a brand ambassador. He traveled extensively, filmed commercials, and made appearances on behalf of the company. Sanders was known for his fiery personality and a strong opinion about the quality of KFC's food. In his later years, he became critical of the cost-cutting measures that he believed compromised the taste and quality of the food.
Sanders continued to play an active role in the company until his death in 1980 at the age of 90. His legacy, however, lives on. The KFC brand still embraces his name and image as symbols of the company. The fast-food chain has expanded globally, with thousands of locations in different countries, generating billions of dollars in sales each year.
Colonel Sanders' entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his craft have left an indelible mark on the world of fast food. His secret recipe and pressure frying method revolutionized the way chicken was cooked and paved the way for the success of KFC. Today, his story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and reminds us all that with determination and a little bit of spice, anything is possible.
New research conducted by scientists from the University of Cambridge and other institutions has shed light on the impact of droughts on the ancient Indus Civilization. By analyzing a stalagmite from Dharamjali Cave in the Himalaya, the researchers reconstructed rainfall patterns spanning 4,200 to 3,100 years ago.
The study revealed a 230-year period characterized by increased summer and winter drought frequency between 4,200 and 3,970 years ago. Within this timeframe, multi-decadal aridity events occurred around 4,190, 4,110, and 4,020 years ago. These findings indicate deficits in both summer and winter rainfall during the urban phase of the Indus Civilization, prompting the adaptation of flexible, self-reliant, and drought-resistant agricultural strategies.
Professor Cameron Petrie, an archaeologist from the University of Cambridge, emphasized the significance of these findings, stating, "We discover explicit confirmation that this duration was not a brief emergency but a gradual alteration of the environmental circumstances in which the Indus population resided."
To map out past precipitation patterns, Professor Petrie and his team examined growth strata in the stalagmite obtained from Dharamjali Cave, near Pithoragarh, India. By analyzing various environmental markers such as oxygen, carbon, and calcium isotopes, they were able to reconstruct rainfall during specific seasons. Precise dating techniques were also employed to determine the timing and duration of the arid periods.
Dr. Alena Giesche, another researcher from the University of Cambridge, explained, "Numerous indications enable us to assemble the characteristics of these dry spells from different perspectives — and verify that they align."
The study revealed distinct intervals of reduced precipitation during both summer and winter seasons. This evidence is crucial for understanding the impact of climatic changes on human societies. Professor Petrie added, "The dry spells during this duration extended for longer durations, to the extent that the third one would have lasted for multiple generations."
These findings support existing evidence linking the decline of the Indus cities to climate shifts. However, until now, little was known about the duration and specific seasons in which the droughts occurred. Dr. Giesche noted the importance of this additional information, stating, "That additional information is genuinely vital when we reflect on cultural recollection and how people adjust to environmental changes."
Archaeological evidence indicates that during the two-century period of drought, the early inhabitants of the Indus Civilization adopted several measures to adapt and sustain their way of life. Larger urban areas were abandoned in favor of less populated rural settlements located towards the eastern frontier of the territory. Cultivation practices shifted to rely more on summer crops, particularly drought-resistant millets, reflecting a more self-reliant lifestyle.
Dr. David Hodell, also from the University of Cambridge, highlighted the significance of paleoclimate records in understanding cultural changes, stating, "Megadroughts have recently been widely cited to account for various cultural changes, including those in the Indus Valley." He added, "This situation is now changing because paleoclimate records are becoming increasingly advanced in pinpointing alterations in precipitation on a seasonal and yearly basis, which have a direct impact on people's choices."
The study provides valuable insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental challenges, emphasizing the resilience and resourcefulness of the Indus Civilization in the face of prolonged droughts.
In the midst of a whirlwind of game trailers and exciting announcements, Sony took a brief moment during its recent PlayStation Showcase livestream to reveal two new hardware products that left gamers buzzing with anticipation.
The standout announcement was undoubtedly Project Q, although the final name for this highly-anticipated device is still pending. Confirming long-standing rumors, Sony unveiled a new PlayStation handheld that promises to revolutionize gaming on the go.
Unlike its predecessors, Project Q will primarily focus on streaming capabilities. Sony plans to offer users the ability to stream any non-VR game from a local PlayStation 5 console using Remote Play over Wi-Fi. However, it's important to note that the handheld won't be capable of playing games on its own. Its true power lies in its streaming functionality.
Sony is no stranger to Remote Play, as the company has been offering this feature on other devices for some time now. By syncing a DualSense controller with their macOS, Windows, iOS, or Android device, players can already stream their favorite games over Wi-Fi or the Internet. However, streaming games over the Internet can come with latency challenges that impact the overall gaming experience.
As for the specifics of Project Q, the handheld boasts an impressive 8-inch HD screen, providing gamers with a vibrant and immersive display. In addition, it will feature ""all the buttons and features of the DualSense wireless controller,"" ensuring that players have a familiar and comfortable gaming experience in their hands.
In addition to Project Q, Sony also revealed plans to launch Bluetooth earbuds that resemble the popular AirPods. What sets these earbuds apart is their ability to simultaneously connect to a PlayStation console, a mobile device, as well as PCs. This versatility allows gamers to seamlessly switch between different platforms without the hassle of constantly pairing and unpairing their audio devices.
While Sony has not yet announced release dates or pricing for these new products, it's clear that these announcements serve as a statement of intent from the PlayStation brand. Gamers can look forward to a future where gaming becomes even more accessible, whether it's through the convenience of streaming on a handheld or the flexibility of audio connectivity.
In the world of cybersecurity, hackers are constantly coming up with new tricks to infiltrate computer systems. One such tactic involves hiding malicious programs in a computer's firmware—the deep-seated code that tells a PC how to load its operating system. It's a sneaky move that can give hackers access to a machine's inner workings. But what happens when a motherboard manufacturer installs its own hidden backdoor in the firmware, making it even easier for hackers to gain entry? That's the alarming situation that researchers at Eclypsium, a firmware-focused cybersecurity company, have uncovered in Gigabyte motherboards.
The hidden mechanism discovered by Eclypsium operates within the firmware of Gigabyte motherboards, which are widely used in gaming PCs and high-performance computers. Every time a computer with one of these motherboards restarts, code within the firmware quietly initiates an updater program that downloads and executes software. While the intention behind this mechanism is to keep the firmware updated, it is implemented in a highly insecure manner. This opens the door for potential hijacking, allowing the mechanism to be exploited for installing malware instead of the intended program. What's more, because the updater program is triggered from the computer's firmware, outside of the operating system, it becomes incredibly difficult for users to detect or remove.
Eclypsium has identified 271 models of Gigabyte motherboards that are affected by this hidden firmware mechanism. This revelation sheds light on the increasing vulnerability of firmware-based attacks, which have become a preferred method for sophisticated hackers. State-sponsored hacking groups have been known to employ firmware-based spyware tools to silently install malicious software on targeted machines. In a surprising turn of events, Eclypsium's automated detection scans flagged Gigabyte's updater mechanism for exhibiting behavior similar to these state-sponsored hacking tools. It's a disconcerting finding that raises concerns about the potential misuse of this access.
What's particularly troubling about Gigabyte's updater mechanism is that it is riddled with vulnerabilities. It downloads code without proper authentication and often over an unprotected HTTP connection, instead of the more secure HTTPS. This means that the installation source can easily be spoofed, leaving users vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks. Additionally, the mechanism is configured to download from a local network-attached storage device (NAS), but this creates an opening for malicious actors on the same network to silently install their own malware by spoofing the NAS location.
Eclypsium has been working closely with Gigabyte to address these issues, and the motherboard manufacturer has expressed its intention to fix the vulnerabilities. However, the complexity of firmware updates and hardware compatibility may pose challenges in effectively addressing the problem. The discovery of this hidden firmware mechanism is deeply concerning due to the large number of potentially affected devices. It erodes the trust that users have in the firmware that underlies their computers, drawing parallels to the infamous Sony rootkit scandal of the mid-2000s. While Gigabyte likely had no malicious intent behind their hidden firmware tool, the security vulnerabilities it presents undermine user confidence in the very foundation of their machines.
Pixar's latest film, Elemental, had high stakes riding on it, with a budget exceeding $200 million. However, if one were to judge by the TikTok consumer sentiment index, the comments section, the outcome might have seemed predictable. Negative reactions flooded the comments, expressing disappointment and low expectations for the film. Comments like "The Disney magic is fading away" and "Can't wait to not watch this" dominated the discussion. One user even humorously predicted that the movie would make a mere $20 at the box office, or perhaps $21 if they were lucky.
Considering the buzz on social media, it may come as a surprise that Elemental did manage to rake in $29.5 million during its opening weekend. While this figure fell short of analysts' modest expectations, it defied the negative sentiments expressed online. However, in comparison to recent animated films like Universal's The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minions: The Rise of Gru, which grossed an impressive $1.33 billion and $939.6 million worldwide, respectively, Pixar's performance has been lackluster.
Elemental's opening weekend box office collection stands as Pixar's second-lowest ever, narrowly surpassing Toy Story's $29.1 million debut in 1995. When adjusted for inflation, however, Toy Story's opening would be valued at approximately $57.6 million today, a whopping 98% more than Elemental's figures.
Pixar had hoped that Elemental would mark a rebound after the box office disappointment of Lightyear and provide a momentary high note following the studio's decision to lay off 75 employees in May as part of Disney's broader cost-cutting measures.
On a positive note, the movie industry as a whole is witnessing an upward trend, with theaters experiencing better performance than the same weekend in 2019, before the pandemic struck, as reported by CNBC.
In a surprising turn of events, Microsoft has finally decided to integrate native support for the popular compression format, .rar, in its latest Windows update. This announcement brings an end to the arduous journey endured by countless users who have relied on third-party software like WinRAR to handle .rar files. The inclusion of native support marks a significant milestone, but it also raises questions about the future of compression software and the impact on companies like WinRAR.
The story of the .rar format dates back to the 1990s when the internet was in its infancy and connection speeds were painfully slow. Back then, compressing files was a necessity to overcome the limitations of limited bandwidth. WinRAR emerged as one of the prominent compression applications, favored not only by those seeking illicit software but also by legitimate users for various purposes, including software distribution and archival needs.
Over the years, as technology advanced and internet speeds skyrocketed, the need for compression software diminished. File sizes that once took an entire night to download could now be transferred in a matter of seconds. Moreover, open-source alternatives like the libarchive project provided additional options for handling various archive formats.
Amidst this changing landscape, Microsoft recognized the frustrations of users who had been relying on third-party solutions like WinRAR for decades. In a recent blog post, the company announced that Windows would now natively support several archive formats, including .rar, by leveraging the libarchive open-source project. While other operating systems had integrated support for these formats long ago, this development is a game-changer for Windows users who have grown tired of the nagging pop-ups urging them to purchase a WinRAR license.
The integration of native support for .rar files signifies a new chapter for compression software. For WinRAR, a program that has accompanied users throughout their computing journeys, this change prompts introspection. While it may be viewed as a welcome improvement, concerns arise about the future of the company as it faces competition from Microsoft's built-in solution. In response to inquiries, WinRAR's sales and marketing representative, Louise, expressed appreciation for Microsoft's decision and acknowledged the challenges posed by being a smaller company. She emphasized the company's commitment to continuous development and announced the release of a Beta version for WinRAR 6.22, with a major upgrade expected later this year.
As we embrace this integration, we bid farewell to the era of laborious downloads and cumbersome third-party software. The future of compression lies in the hands of progress, open-source standards, and the adaptability of companies like WinRAR. While the road ahead may be uncertain, we can take solace in the fact that technology evolves, and so too will the tools that accompany us on our digital journeys.