12 Articles about the Business of Running an AI

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33 Articles from April about Data Science & AI

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 A starter guide to data structures for AI and machine learning 

Understanding neuro-symbolic AI

Novel Bayesian Deep Learning Model with Kernel Dropout Designed to Enhance the Reliability of Predictions

Denoising Radar Satellite Images with Python Has Never Been So Easy 

Transform Neural Networks are “revolutionizing natural language processing”

The proliferation of LLMs and the generative AI movement have created fertile ground for vector database technologies 

AI Definitions: Deep Learning

Generative AI in Content Creation for data science, data engineering, & machine learning

Vector databases in AI and LLM use cases

14 Articles about AI & the US Military

The Pentagon wants to build thousands of easily replaceable, AI-enabled drones

Embedding AI to escalate geospatial

Geospatial Data Analysis using a Python library called Geemap for creating interactive maps 

A neural network microchip from China that uses photons instead of electrons can run AI tasks as well as its electronic counterparts with a thousandth as much energy

Researchers have seen neural networks discover novel solutions to problems by grokking them

Six examples of AI for parsing geospatial data

AI Definitions: Small Language Models  

Some of the most influential deep learning architectures: CNNs, RNNs, GANs, Transformers, and Encoder-Decoder architectures 

Applying the 6 steps of the INSPIRe framework to accelerate your code generation for LLMs

Why small language models are the next big thing in AI

About 9.6K satellites are in orbit generating a growing demand for businesses that specialize in traffic management and satellite monitoring 

The Math Behind Fine-Tuning Deep Neural Networks

Large language models are capable of feigning lower intelligence than they possess

10 top use cases for vector databases that generate organizational value

‘Lavender’: The AI machine directing Israel’s bombing in Gaza 

The resurgence of vector databases has led to a challenge to graph and relational approaches 

The math behind neural networks 

Technical Debt & Ethical Debt

Deep dive into Sora’s diffusion transformer by hand

China launched its first Yaogan-42 satellite adding to the country’s growing military satellite reconnaissance capabilities

Here are ten algorithms that are a great introduction to machine learning for any beginner

Why transparency leads to ethical and fair AI systems

Julia vs. Python for data science

The Available Evidence

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People are inclined to make decisions based on how readily available information is to them. If you can easily recall something, you are likely to rely more on this information than other facts or observations. This means judgements tend to be heavily weighted on the most recent piece of information received or the simplest thing to recall.

In practice, research has shown that shoppers who can recall a few low-price products—perhaps because of a prominent ads or promotions—tend to think that a store offers low prices across the board, regardless of other evidence. And in a particularly devious experiment, a psychology professor (naturally) got his students to evaluate his teaching, with one group asked to list two things he could improve and another asked to list 10. Since it’s harder to think of 10 bad things than just two, the students asked to make a longer list gave the professor better ratings—seemingly concluding that if they couldn’t come up with enough critical things to fill out the form, then the course must be good.

Eshe Nelson writing in Quartz

20 Webinars in the next 2 weeks about AI, Journalism, Climate, Health & More

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Tue, April 30 - What to Know About Treatment-Resistant Depression

What: Treatment-resistant depression and learn how to cover this complex medical condition with depth and nuance.

Who: Dr. Maurizio Fava Chair, Department of Psychiatry/Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Lisa Harding Board Certified Psychiatrist & Depression Expert; Courtenay Harris Bond Staff Writer, Philly Voice; Dr. John Tumeh Chief of Psychiatry, Foundation Psychiatry.

When: 12 noon, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: National Press Foundation, Johnson & Johnson

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Tue, April 30 - Storytelling for Impact

What: Tips, techniques and tools to help the modern marketer tell better and more impactful stories to activate their audiences around ideas and actions.

Who: Kiersten Hill Director of Nonprofit Solutions

When: 2 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: FireSpring

More Info

 

Tue, April 30 - Investigating the Israel-Hamas Conflict

What: Three senior investigative journalists will share tips and tools on how to work in such a perilous reporting environment, and techniques for digging into war atrocities.

Who: Sarah El-Deeb has been an Associated Press (AP) journalist since 2000, with extensive experience reporting in the Middle East. Peter Polack is a research-based designer and software developer with Forensic Architecture (FA), a research agency based at Goldsmiths, University of London, which develops, employs, and disseminates new techniques, methods, and concepts for investigating state and corporate violence. Phil Rees is the Director of Investigative Journalism at Al Jazeera. The moderator is Rachel Oldroyd, Deputy Investigations Editor of the Guardian.

When: 9 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Global Investigative Journalism Network

More Info

 

Tue, April 30 - AI while avoiding the cloud: running local models

(also offered May 2)

What: What the open-source, locally-run ecosystem looks like for chatbots and large language models. We'll look at performance compared to the closed-off options, setup and hardware requirements, "uncensored" models and common technical adaptations like quantization that trades off ability for those of us without cutting-edge desktops.

Who: Jonathan Soma, Knight Chair in Data Journalism at Columbia's Journalism School and director of both the year-long Data Journalism MS and ten-week Lede Program summer bootcamp.

When: 9 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Columbia Journalism School

More Info

 

Wed, May 1 - Disinformation, Elections & Democracy: How journalists can spot and disarm current tactics to influence voters

What: A practical look at current tactics used by disinformation specialists to disrupt the 2024 election and what journalists can do to counter them.

Who: Tina Barton, senior elections expert, Committee for Safe and Secure Elections; Yael Eisenstat, senior fellow at Cybersecurity for Democracy and PEN America consultant; Christine Fernando, democracy reporter, Associated Press; Sheera Frenkel, technology reporter for the New York Times

When: 11:30, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: National Press Club Journalism Institute

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Wed, May 1 - Choosing Words During War: Covering the Israel-Gaza Conflict

What: How do newsrooms decide what words to use in covering a complex conflict? In a quick-moving story, how should journalists decide if and when information is solid enough to publish? Has the current war presented new challenges, and what policies have changed or grown out of it?

Who: John Daniszewski, Vice President and Editor at Large for Standards, The Associated Press; David Folkenflik, Media Correspondent, NPR News; Steven Holmes, Former Executive Director, Standards & Practices, CNN; Pulitzer Prize winner for New York Times, "How Race Is Lived in America"; New York-based journalist Jane Eisner, former Director of Academic Affairs, Columbia Journalism School, and former Editor-in-Chief, The Forward.

When: 12 noon, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Columbia Journalism School, The Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies at Columbia University

More Info

 

Wed, May 1 -  Environmental Journalists on the Frontlines of Democracy

What: A celebration of the important role of environmental journalism and a highlighting of the need to protect journalists around the world from surveillance, censorship, oppression, and violence.

Who: Jon Sawyer, Pulitzer Center Leadership; Meaghan Parker, of the Society of Environmental Journalists; Jeje Mohammed, of PEN America; Clayton Weimers, of Reporters Without Borders USA; and independent journalist Sandhya Ravishanka.

When: 10 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP), in partnership with the Society of Environmental Journalists.

More Info

 

Wed, May 1 - Why Press Freedom Matters: Exploring Evan Gershkovich’s Case

What: We’ll look at a high-profile example of the denial of press freedoms: the case of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was wrongfully detained in Russia last year on bogus charges of spying.

Who: Wall Street Journal Assistant Editor Paul Beckett, who leads the Journal’s efforts at securing Gershkovich’s release, will discuss the case with New Literacy Project’s Brittney Smith.

When: 5 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: News Literacy Project

More Info

 

Thu, May 2 - AI while avoiding the cloud: running local models

(a second offering of an April 30 event)

What: What the open-source, locally-run ecosystem looks like for chatbots and large language models. We'll look at performance compared to the closed-off options, setup and hardware requirements, "uncensored" models and common technical adaptations like quantization that trades off ability for those of us without cutting-edge desktops.

Who: Jonathan Soma, Knight Chair in Data Journalism at Columbia's Journalism School and director of both the year-long Data Journalism MS and ten-week Lede Program summer bootcamp.

When: 9 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Columbia Journalism School

More Info

 

Thu, May 2 - Universities + public media + Election 2024 = an amazing opportunity

What: Election 2024 is an incredible opportunity for college students and public media stations to work together. How can student-led journalism reach new audiences and approach political coverage in a fresh way? We’ll learn what’s happening all across the U.S. from America Amplified, and on the ground in one mid-sized Midwestern community.

Who: Chelsea Nebeker-Naughton Digital Engagement Manager America Amplified; Jenna Dooley News Director Northern Public Radio; Katelynn McIlwain Managing Editor KBIA/University of Missouri.

When: 12 noon, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: The University of Vermont and University Station Alliance

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Thu, May 2 - AI Driven Content Creation: Crafting Compelling Blogs

What: Explore how artificial intelligence can revolutionize content creation, particularly for blogs. Dive into the world of AI and learn how to leverage these technologies to produce compelling, engaging, and effective blog content that resonates with your audience.

Who: Casey Remolde, Chief Social Media Strategy Specialist at Kutztown Small Business Development Center; Nicole Stabile, Web Design Specialist at Kutztown Small Business Development Center.

When: 5 pm

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Kutztown University

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Thu, May 2 - The Intersections of Press Freedom and the Environment

What: This panel discussion will address obstacles U.S. journalists face when reporting urgent climate change and environmental issues for their communities — whether violence or arrest when covering environmental protests or denials of access and legal obstructions when investigating centers of political and corporate power.

Who: Carlos Berríos Polanco, writer and photojournalist from Caguas, Puerto Rico, specializing in climate and conflict topics; Halle Parker, journalist and Society of Environmental Journalists board member, who covers the environment for WWNO's Coastal Desk and Sea Change podcast; Caitlin Vogus, deputy director of advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation; Adam Glenn, deputy editor at Freedom of the Press Foundation.

When: 11 am, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Freedom of the Press Foundation and the Society of Environmental Journalists

More Info

 

Sat, May 4 - Next Gen Reporting for a Climate in Crisis

What: A conversation that focuses on empowering young journalists in the climate movement, and exploring their pivotal role in addressing pressing environmental challenges.

Who: Oleksii Otkydach (Ukraine), Political Analyst, La Sexta; Meghana Guntur (India), Corporate Interface Team Member, Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication; Sisanda Nkoala (South Africa), Associate Professor in the Linguistics Department at the University of the Western Cape; Sarah Swetlik, Climate Change and Environmental Reporter, The Greenville News; Pratika Katiyar, Board of Directors Student Member, Student Press Law Center; Peris Tushabe (Uganda), Program Coordinator for Free Expression and Education, PEN America;

When: 9 am, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Pen America, Student Press Law Center  

More Info

 

Mon, May 6 - Sciline Crash Course: Science Essentials for Local Reporters

What: Among the topics covered: Knowing whether and how science can enhance your story; Different kinds of studies and what each can—and cannot—reveal; Practical tips for identifying credible scientist-sources and interviewing them; and How to get the essentials from scientific reports, studies, and press releases.

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

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Society of Environmental journalists

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Tue, May 7 - Mini Lab: AI Tools for Research

What: AI tools you can use now to augment your research

Who: Newsroom Robots podcast host Nikita Roy

When: 3 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free for members, $25 for nonmembers

Sponsor: Online News Association

More Info

 

Wed, May 8 - Leveraging AI in your Audience Engagement Strategy

What: Employing AI as part of your audience engagement strategy. We’ll explore how AI can help you identify communities and partnership opportunities, streamline workflows and craft messaging. We’ll also cover what only good old AE (Actual Experience) can do when it comes to Audience Engagement.

Who: Mike Reilley, Senior Lecturer, University of Illinois-Chicago; Jennifer Brandel CEO & Co-Founder, Hearken.

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free for members, $25 for nonmembers

Sponsor: Online News Association

More Info

 

Wed, May 8 - Local News: Why It Matters and How It's Changing

What: Media leaders discuss key issues and innovations in journalism including the changes and challenges, the new technology and tools for gathering and sharing the news — and answer all your questions during the Q & A.

Who: Beryl Love, Executive Editor and Vice President of News for the Cincinnati Enquirer; Jennifer Merritt, Deputy Editor/ Digital Editor for WVXU; Ann Thompson, Digital Media Producer for CET

When: 6 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Woman's City Club of Greater Cincinnati

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Wed, May 8 - How health journalists think about their roles amid current challenges

What: Our analyses identify role conceptions that are specific to the work of health journalists in the current political climate.

Who: Dr. Amanda Hinnant is an associate professor at the University of Missouri, School of journalism, where she holds the Wallace Turner Memorial Faculty Fellowship; Dr. Rachel Young is an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Iowa.

When: 8 am, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Bournemouth University Centre for Science, Health & Data Comm Research

More Info

 

Thu, May 9 - What is service journalism and how do I do it right?

What: A wide-ranging discussion on all things service journalism.

Who: Tim Herrera, former editor of NYT's service desk Smarter Living.

When: 3 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: $20

Sponsor: Freelancing With Tim

More Info

 

Fri, May 10 - Covering trans and LGBTQ+ issues during 2024

What: Trans people and DEIB programs are in the crosshairs of state leaders, legislatures, policymakers, and school boards. Journalists must be prepared to report and share the impact of these efforts, as well as how political candidates are using them to influence voters.

Who: Katie Barnes, digital feature writer; ESPN Lex McMenamin, news and politics editor, Teen Vogue; Phoebe Petrovic, investigative reporter, Wisconsin Watch; Moderator: Gina Chua, executive editor, Semafor. 

When: 11:30 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: National Press Club Journalism Institute

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Projecting Ourselves onto Others

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Large numbers of American soldier had idyllic marriages to German, Italian or Japanese “war brides” (after World War II) with whom they could not verbally communicate. But when their brides learned English, the marriages began to fall apart. The servicemen could then no longer project upon their wives their own thoughts, feelings, desires and goals and feel the same sense of closeness one feels with a pet. Instead, as their wives learned English, the men began to realize that these women had ideas, opinions and aims different from their own. As this happened, love began to grow for some; for most, perhaps, it ceased.

The liberated woman is right to beware of the man who affectionately calls her his “pet.” He many indeed be an individual whose affection is dependent upon her being a pet, who lacks the capacity to respect her strength, independence and individuality.

Probably the most saddening example of this phenomenon is the very large number of women who are capable of “loving” their children only as infants.

As soon as a child begins to assert its own will- to disobey, to whine, to refuse to play, to occasionally reject being cuddled, to attach itself to other people, to move out into the world a little bit on its own – the mother’s love cease… At the same time, she will often feel an almost overpowering need to be pregnant again, to have another infant, another pet. Usually she will succeed, and the cycle is repeated.

The point is that nurturing can be and usually should be much more than simple feeding, and that nurturing spiritual growth is an infinitely more complicated process than can be directed by any instinct.

M Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled

16 Recent Articles about AI-generated Fakes 

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The messy process of creativity

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Many case studies read to me like school homework: they knew what the answer and the process were “supposed to be” according to the textbook, so made up the story to fit. In reality, it’s never smooth and linear. It’s messy and loopish. If you’re doing a good job, you rarely end up with anything remotely like you anticipated when you started out.  

-Matej Latin

AI Definitions: Deep Learning

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Deep Learning – Training computers to use neural networks and solve problems. It involves a particular kind of mathematical model. The word “deep” means that the composition has many “blocks” of neural networks stacked on top of each other, and the trick is adjusting the blocks that are far from the output, since a small change there can have very indirect effects on the output. It is the dominant way to help machines sense and perceive the world around them. It powers the image-processing operations of firms like Facebook and Google, self-driving cars, and Google’s on-the-fly language translations. 

More AI definitions here.

14 Articles about AI & the US Military

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How to tell the good people from the bad

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Behavior can be good or bad. But people themselves aren't good or bad—though they have the capacity for doing either one. As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote in The Gulag Archipelago, “The line separating good and evil passes right through every human heart, and through all human hearts.”

Evil is not a thing you can point at and say, “There it goes!” or “Here it is!” Evil is a privation. A negation. It's not something in itself. It's like rot to a tree. Without the tree, the rot wouldn't exist. Without a context of good, evil doesn't exist. So, if you want to declare something evil, then you must first come to terms with what is good.

Stephen Goforth

6 Webinars this Week about AI, Journalism, Social Media & More

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May 16, 2024, thru 2026 - AI Spotlight Series Workshops & Webinars

What: This is a series of webinars & workshops being held over a two-year period designed to equip reporters and editors—whether on the tech beat or any other beat—with the knowledge and skills to cover and shape coverage of AI and its profound influence on society. Some of the questions that will guide the instruction include: Where is AI being used? Where is it working or breaking? Who is being harmed, and who stands to profit?

Who: Award-winning AI reporter Karen Hao, whose pioneering work in the field of AI accountability is regularly taught in universities and cited by governments. Some of the world’s leading technology reporters and editors have co-designed the AI Spotlight Series curriculum and will be instructors in the program. Most of the instruction will be interactive and online. The co-designers and instructors of the AI Spotlight Series are: Lam Thuy Vo (reporter at The Markup), Gabriel Geiger (investigative reporter at Lighthouse Reports), Gideon Lichfield (former editor in chief at MIT Technology Review and WIRED), and Tom Simonite (senior editor at WIRED).

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Pulitzer Center

More Info

 

Tue, April 23 - Social Media 101 for Nonprofits

What: This session includes practical tips and tools for extending your cause and mission via social media. We cover the basics of using social media for your nonprofit organization and give you handy tips for the most useful social media platforms for nonprofits.

Who: Kiersten Hill Director of Nonprofit Solutions

When: 1 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: FireSpring

More Info

 

Tue, April 23 - Website Engagement Strategies: Elevate Your Online Presence

What: This session is designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs eager to enhance their online presence, attract more visitors, and convert those visits into tangible business outcomes. This webinar is perfect for anyone within the small business community looking to elevate and improve their website engagement. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to revamp your existing website, this webinar will provide valuable insights and actionable strategies.

Who: Chloe Grim, Photo Specialist; Web Designer at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center Lien Nguyen, Digital Content Specialist at the Kutztown University Small Business Development Center.

When: 5 pm, Eastern  

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Kutztown University Small Business Development Center

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Wed, April 24 - Learning from the Media: A Conversation with Journalists

What: Panelists will discuss the constraints and incentives they face when reporting, including suggestions for building relationships with journalists and communicating effectively with and through them.

Who: M.R. O’Connor is a freelance journalist and author of the book Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World; Roberto Rosales is a photojournalist who has covered wildland fire in the West and a photography professor at the University of New Mexico; April Ehrlich is a reporter covering lands and environmental policies in Oregon and Southwest Washington at Oregon Public Broadcasting.

When: 1 pm, Central

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: Fire Learning Network

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Wed, April 24 - AI Tools for Journalists Part II

What: This hands-on session builds on our Feb “Introduction to AI Tools” session. We’ll explore what these tools can do well (help with social media, headlines, writing tips, coding, photo illustrations) and what they do poorly (write stories, accuracy, etc.) and discuss legal and ethical ramifications of using them.  

Who: Mike Reilley Senior Lecturer, University of Illinois-Chicago

When: 2 pm, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free for members, $25 for nonmembers

Sponsor: Online News Association

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Wed, April 24 - Disinformation & The Public: How journalists can champion news literacy and empower their communities

What: Participants will learn practices to reach some of the communities most vulnerable to mis- and disinformation campaigns, how to talk about disinformation in ways that instill trust among communities traditionally underserved by mainstream media, and tools to empower members of the public to champion their roles as information clearinghouses in their peer groups and communities.

Who: Tamoa Calzaldilla, editor in chief of Factchequeado and creator of the bilingual Guide for Journalists Covering Latino and Spanish-Speaking Communities; Henry Hicks, manager, U.S. Free Expressions Programs for PEN America; Mollie Muchna, project manager for Trusting News and adjunct professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism; Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and associate professor in the university’s Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering; Moderator: Delano Massey, managing editor of local at Axios and NPCJI board member.

When: 11:30 am, Eastern

Where: Zoom

Cost: Free

Sponsor: National Press Club Journalism Institute

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Love Means Putting yourself out of business

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The proper aim of giving is to put the recipient in a state where he no longer needs our gift. We feed children in order that they soon be able to feed themselves; we teach them in order that they may soon not need our teaching. The hour when we can say “They need me no longer” should be our reward.

My own profession – that of a university teacher – is in this way dangerous. If we are any good we must always be working towards the moment at which our pupils are fit to become our critics and rivals. We should be delighted when it arrives, as the fencing master is delighted when his pupil can pink and disarm him. Any many are. But not all.

CS Lewis, The Four Loves

A Dozen Recent AI Prediction Articles

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Advice from Conan O'Brien

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Nietzsche famously said, "Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger." But what he failed to stress is that it almost kills you. Disappointment stings, and for driven, successful people like yourselves, it is disorienting.

There are few things more liberating in this life than having your worst fear realized. I went to college with many people who prided themselves on knowing exactly who they were and exactly where they were going.

My peers and I have all missed that mark in a thousand different ways. But the point is this: It is our failure to become our perceived ideal that ultimately defines us and makes us unique. It's not easy, but if you accept your misfortune and handle it right, your perceived failure can become a catalyst for profound re-invention.

In 2000, I told (Harvard) graduates to not be afraid to fail, and I still believe that. But today, I tell you that whether you fear it or not, disappointment will come. The beauty is that through disappointment you can gain clarity, and with clarity comes conviction and true originality.

Many of you here today are getting your diploma at this Ivy League school because you have committed yourself to a dream and worked hard to achieve it. And there is no greater cliché in a commencement address than "follow your dream." Well, I am here to tell you that whatever you think your dream is now, it will probably change. And that's okay. Four years ago, many of you had a specific vision of what your college experience was going to be and who you were going to become. And I bet, today, most of you would admit that your time here was very different from what you imagined.

I have told you many things today, most of it foolish but some of it true. I'd like to end my address by breaking a taboo and quoting myself from 17 months ago. At the end of my final program with NBC, just before signing off, I said, "Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen." Today, receiving this honor and speaking to the Dartmouth Class of 2011 from behind a tree trunk, I have never believed that more.

Conan O'Brien, born April 18, 1963

From his commencement address to Dartmouth College (watch the entire speech here)