Canadians helped pioneer the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Researchers like Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto and Yoshua Bengio of Université de Montréal, known as the ‘godfathers of AI,’ laid the groundwork for technologies now reshaping economies and geopolitics. Yet as AI and the race for data become[Read More…]
Tag: AI
Albania’s new AI minister is begging for failure
Earlier this month, Albania’s prime minister Edi Rama presented a novel push in technology: An AI member of parliament named Diella, dressed in traditional Albanian clothing. Diella’s work responsibilities include trying to combat corruption, hiring tenders for infrastructure projects, and navigating users through Albania’s websites to ensure easy access to[Read More…]
When will the Generative AI bubble pop?
With the increasing presence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday life, professors are grappling with the extent to which AI should be allowed in the classroom. Some allow AI as long as usage is disclosed, some strictly prohibit it, and others view it as a tool that encourages students to[Read More…]
The NFL’s creepy new AI ad is proof the league is out of touch
Fans of the National Football League (NFL) watching the season opener between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 4 may have been surprised to see a giant AI-generated baby staring back at them during a commercial break. More shocking, though, is the fact that it was an official[Read More…]
Recap: Queerness and AI roundtable
McGill community members gathered for a roundtable discussion on Queerness and AI organized by Web Services and Equity at McGill as part of Queer History Month (QHM) on Oct. 23. Three panellists—McGill’s Associate Director of Inclusive Excellence Kit Malo, Senior Employment Equity Advisor Ande Clegg, and Digital Communications Manager Joyce[Read More…]
Byte-sized Care: Is AI the key to cracking the mental health crisis?
Across Canada, 1.6 million children face mental health issues in an ongoing crisis which is exacerbated by a shortage of mental healthcare professionals. Given the potential benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in diagnosing, preventing, and treating mental illnesses, some people are turning to AI for solutions. But should the future[Read More…]
Professor Johnathan Flowers discusses ableist algorithms in virtual lecture
Professor Johnathan Flowers of California State University, Northridge gave a virtual talk entitled “Ableist Algorithms and Digital Disability” as part of the “Disrupting Disruptions: Feminist Publishing, Communications and Technologies” speaker series on Sept. 11. Organized by professor Alex Ketchum of the McGill Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF),[Read More…]
How can ChatGPT be an asset in your research project?
Disclaimer: Different professors have varying opinions and rules about the appropriate use of ChatGPT, and in many cases have serious consequences for misusing it in their classes. While some only have restrictions against using text written by ChatGPT, others also restrict the use of ChatGPT for outlining and research. It[Read More…]
Feeling lonely? Montreal researchers recommend sex robots as an antidote
One of my all-time favourite films, Her, follows Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely divorcée who finds himself falling deeply in love with the virtual assistant on his phone. When it premiered in 2013, it seemed like an outlandish sci-fi fantasy; who would want to date a computer program? Yet, here[Read More…]
How AI unlocks the secrets of proteins
Proteins are the workhorses of our cells, responsible for a vast array of functions that keep us alive and healthy. From building muscle to fighting disease, their intricate shapes determine their specific roles. Although the task has so far eluded scientists, they hope to ultimately incorporate lab-designed proteins into personalized[Read More…]
