A group of third graders in UF’s College of Education is co-designing a mobile app called AR (Augmented Reality) Expeditions to enhance literacy among Florida elementary students. With over one million students struggling to read at grade level, the Florida Legislature initiated the New Worlds Reading Initiative in 2021, providing eligible VPK to fifth-grade students with monthly free books. Developed in collaboration with the Lastinger Center for Learning and Scholastic, the AR Expeditions app includes interactive experiences like vocabulary fishing games and virtual coloring books focused on marine habitats. These “mini researchers” have provided valuable feedback throughout the app’s development. By leveraging AI technology, the team has expedited the app’s creation. Scheduled for a tiered rollout through community events, the app aims to inspire and motivate young readers. The development process has also fostered curiosity and confidence among the students, preparing them for future phases of app development.
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Third-Grade ‘Mini Researchers’ at UF Create AI-Powered App to Enhance Literacy in Florida
Perplexity Labs Launches as Your New AI Assistant
Perplexity has introduced Perplexity Labs, an AI tool designed to transform prompts into spreadsheets, dashboards, and simple web apps efficiently. Operating as a virtual team, Labs can complete complex tasks that typically require extensive time and skill coordination in just 10 minutes. Applications include creating interactive finance dashboards, visual storyboards in entertainment, and targeted prospect databases in sales. Available for Pro subscribers on the web and mobile platforms, Labs differentiates itself from the previous “Deep Research” feature by employing a wider array of tools for project deliverables.
In another development, the FDA unveiled “Elsa,” an AI tool aimed at improving employee efficiency through tasks like document access and clinical protocol reviews. Elsa is set to enhance scientific evaluations and prioritize inspections. Google Labs has also launched “Stitch,” which converts prompts into UI designs and front-end code for websites and apps, facilitating real-time collaboration in design processes.
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Exploring Cancer Patient Decision-Making Journeys: Insights from Investigators and Large Language Models
The study involved 33 cancer patients (22 women, 11 men) aged 28-83, primarily diagnosed with breast cancer (42.4%), and examined their cancer care journeys through three analytical approaches: investigator-led, ChatGPT-4o, and Gemini Advance Pro 1.5. Emotional coping, healthcare system experiences, support networks, information-seeking, and quality of life emerged as key themes from the investigator-led analysis. Contrastingly, ChatGPT-4o focused on emotional/physical challenges and healthcare interactions, highlighting systematic delays in care. Gemini Advance Pro emphasized decision-making and the discrepancies between patient expectations and reality. All three methods identified common themes, particularly around emotional challenges and decision-making, but differed in depth and focus. The investigator-led analysis provided nuanced emotional insights, whereas LLMs revealed structured patterns in patients’ healthcare navigation. This comparative analysis illustrates how different approaches can enrich understanding of the cancer experience, emphasizing the importance of both emotional and procedural dynamics in patient care.
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Milo: An Open-Source LLM-Powered Virtual Human Platform for Enhanced Extended Reality – Frontiers
Milo is an open-source platform designed for creating virtual humans using large language models (LLMs) in extended reality (XR) environments. It enables developers to build interactive, lifelike characters that can engage in natural conversations and respond dynamically to user inputs. The platform leverages advanced AI algorithms to facilitate rich interactions, making it suitable for applications in gaming, education, and virtual training. Milo aims to enhance user experience by providing a seamless integration of AI-driven avatars into immersive environments, promoting a more engaging and realistic interaction. The open-source nature allows for community collaboration and customization, empowering developers to innovate and adapt the platform for various use cases. With its focus on realism and interactivity, Milo represents a significant advancement in the development of virtual assistants and characters, bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and human-like interaction in XR settings.
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Sam Altman’s OpenAI Saga Makes Its Way to Hollywood
The dramatic events surrounding Sam Altman’s firing and swift rehiring as CEO of OpenAI are set to be adapted into the film “Artificial,” potentially starring Andrew Garfield as Altman. The turmoil began on November 17, 2023, when OpenAI’s board removed Altman, citing a lack of candid communication that hindered their oversight. This decision sparked significant employee backlash, with over 700 out of 770 staff threatening to resign unless he was reinstated. Just days later, following speculation about tensions within leadership and Microsoft’s move to hire Altman, an agreement for his return was reached. The film aims to portray this corporate drama with comedic elements, and is directed by Luca Guadagnino. Alongside Garfield, Yura Borisov is in talks to play Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, while Monica Barbaro may portray interim CEO Mira Murati. Meanwhile, Hollywood is experiencing a surge in AI-themed films, highlighting the technology’s impact on various sectors.
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Increased Use of ChatGPT by Chinese Entities for Covert Operations, Reports OpenAI
OpenAI’s recent report reveals a rising trend of Chinese groups utilizing its AI technology for covert operations. While these operations are typically small-scale and target specific audiences, they highlight growing concerns about the misuse of generative AI since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022. OpenAI has identified various malicious activities on its platform, including the creation of malware, disinformation on social media, and cyber operations supported by AI tools for tasks such as research and social media automation. Examples include ChatGPT accounts banned for generating politically charged content related to China and U.S. politics. In some instances, operations aimed at fostering polarization in U.S. discourse through AI-generated profiles and text were also detected. OpenAI remains vigilant with ongoing reports of such activities while solidifying its status as one of the world’s most valuable companies, recently valued at $300 billion after a significant funding round.
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Lowe’s Unveils OpenAI-Driven Voice Assistant on Store Floors – The Information
Lowe’s has introduced an OpenAI-powered voice assistant in its stores to enhance customer experience. This innovative technology allows shoppers to interact with a virtual assistant that can answer questions, provide product information, and guide them through the store. By integrating advanced AI capabilities, Lowe’s aims to streamline the shopping process and assist customers in locating items efficiently. The voice assistant can also facilitate more personalized shopping experiences by understanding individual preferences and needs. This initiative reflects Lowe’s commitment to improving in-store services through technology, aligning with broader trends in retail where AI is being increasingly utilized to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. By harnessing the power of AI, Lowe’s seeks to differentiate itself in the competitive home improvement market and adapt to changing consumer expectations. Overall, the voice assistant aims to make shopping more accessible and enjoyable for customers visiting Lowe’s stores.
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Claude Code AI Tool Now Part of Anthropic’s $20/Month Pro Plan
The recent launch of Claude 4 has significantly boosted the user base of Claude Code, increasing it by over 50%. Anthropic now offers Claude Code as part of its Pro Plan subscription, priced at $20 per month, which allows developers to integrate the coding assistant into their work environments. There are limitations compared to the Max plan, which offers higher usage at $100 to $200 per month, catering to more intensive users. Additionally, Anthropic introduced powerful features like Research and Integrations for Pro subscribers, enhancing the functionality of Claude Code. Following the launch, paid subscriptions have tripled, indicating strong demand despite mixed reports on AI subscription interest. This growth parallels similar successes from competitors like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, highlighting a competitive landscape where subscription enhancements are crucial to attract users.
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Veon Integrates LLMs as Core Element of Its AI Strategy
At a recent roundtable, Veon’s Lasha Tabidze outlined the company’s strategy to become a service delivery firm, with large language models (LLMs) central to its AI initiatives. Veon recently launched AI Tutor, a Kazakh-language learning assistant powered by the locally developed KazLLM, embedded in the Beeline Janymda super-app. This tool aims to support language learning for various age groups and will be expanded further. Tabidze emphasized that operators provide cost-effective digital distribution, enhancing customer-facing AI value. Veon’s “LLM-as-a-service” model allows businesses to customize the KazLLM for specific industries. This initiative highlights the importance of public and private partnerships in fostering trust and refining data for localized AI applications. Veon plans to expand KazLLM into other markets like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Ukraine, leveraging local insights to develop regionally tailored language models, which, combined with foundational models, can effectively meet user needs and drive digital inclusion.
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Hold on a moment…
The content is a user verification message requesting confirmation that the user is human. It instructs the user to press and hold a button until it turns green. This is likely part of a security measure to prevent automated systems from accessing a service. If the user believes they received this message in error, they are advised to contact support for assistance. The message includes an IP address and a unique identifier, suggesting that it is part of a system designed to track or manage user requests.
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