Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Can AI-Generated Academic Work Really Go Undetected by Educators?

ChatGPT has already infiltrated everyone's lives and it has been just two years since its release. There is a lot of work that is being done by AI, but people are also making ChatGPT do their homework, assignments and other written work. This is a serious problem, because students are using it to get their degree even though they haven't learnt anything at all. Many media and software engineers, are going to their related fields without having any understanding about what they studied. It seems that students are using ChatGPT for work, but many teachers are unable to detect AI content. Many schools have also allowed the use of AI but disallowed that use of tools that can correctly identify AI.

A study from the UK found that teachers are unable to detect any academic work generated by AI. The researchers of the study faked some students’ profiles and sent some basic AI generated content to teachers. The researchers found that almost 94% of the submitted work generated by AI was undetected by the teachers. Many studies have proved that humans themselves cannot identify AI work and the difference of linguistics used by AI and humans.

Another study from American universities in Vietnam found that AI detectors are mostly right when it comes to AI detection as compared to humans. The study said that Turnitin identified 91% of the AI generated papers correctly, while only 54.5% of the papers could be identified by faculty members. The study also used prompt engineering to make AI content as difficult to detect as possible but still AI content detectors could identify 91% of AI generated papers, and humans only 55%. But the crisis is that many schools are not using AI detectors.
So, not using AI detectors for AI detection and using humans instead results in AI work being missed most of the time. The UK study also found that the work that was created by AI scored higher than human created work. 83.4% of the work created by AI got a higher score than human written work. In short, if a student is using basic AI prompts for their work, they are 83% more likely to score higher and only 6% chance of getting caught.
But it seems like professors and teachers do not care, as well as schools that don't have any sanctions for using AI for work. A recent BBC report showed that a student was caught using AI after being detected by an AI detector but the panel cleared her as there was no solid evidence against her. Students are using AI to cheat and improve their grades, but teachers have no way to identify it. Many online classes are also being run without AI detectors which can have long term effects. But schools seem reluctant to not use AI detectors, probably because of additional work and high costs.

Shocking Study Reveals 94% of AI-Generated Work Goes Undetected by Teachers!
Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next:

New Research Shows Generative AI can Help Teachers in Saving their Time and Making them More Productive

• FTC Bars Data Brokers From Selling Americans’ Sensitive Location Tracking Data
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Is Meta's AI ‘Mistakenly’ Censoring Too Much? Company’s Top Executive Nick Clegg Says Yes

Meta’s top executive is shedding light on the company’s moderation efforts. This includes how it's AI might be removing too much content across all of its platforms in error.

Nick Clegg who is the head of the tech giant’s global affairs admitted that many mistakes continue to be made in terms of getting rid of content it feels is ‘unnecessary’. He also confirmed that the mistake rates remain too high while pledging for change in terms of better accuracy and greater precision.

Clegg also spoke about how the company might be trying to follow all the rules in the book and as a result, harmless content is being removed. This causes a lot of users to be penalized unjustly in the long run.

The company has already come under scrutiny in the past for deleting a lot of material related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zuckerberg admitted that a lot of incorrect decisions arose after coming under pressure from the government.

At that time, rules were harsher and timing was not great for the pandemic. Hence it all came down to wisdom and some poor decision making. They did admit to overdoing it quite a bit. And it’s thanks to Meta app users who raised their voices to be heard.

These comments are proof that Meta’s automated AI systems are just unnecessarily harsh. It’s quite the right example of moderation failures that were once trending on Threads. However, despite knowing it all, the company has yet to make some major changes to content since the election started.

On the other hand, Meta’s oversight board, supposedly established to handle complex moderation dilemmas, remains powerless in addressing all the shadow banning and overly-moderated content due to the absence of a reporting mechanism and limitation. Critics argue this isn’t a mere oversight but a calculated move to limit the board’s influence, keeping ultimate control firmly in Meta’s hands. This aligns with Meta’s controversial track record of suppressing certain voices while amplifying harmful narratives. For instance, during the Rohingya crisis, Meta was accused of enabling violence against minorities, and in the Israel-Palestine conflict, it censored pro-Palestinian and Gaza voices fighting against genocide. Such actions suggest that Meta’s commitment to fairness may be secondary to its bottom line, prioritizing profit and power dynamics over accountability and justice.

Does this mean huge changes might be on the horizon? Well, we do think so because Meta is definitely working on it, especially since the issue is confirmed. Clegg admitted that not a lot of detail can be provided since discussions are high-level. However, they do hope to make new changes with the Trump administration.

So for users like us, it’s only about time that we see Meta make some necessary moderation changes and give users’ content the credit it deserves. What do you think?

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Google’s AI-Powered Store Reviews: A Game-Changer for Shoppers or a Nightmare for Businesses?
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Google’s AI-Powered Store Reviews: A Game-Changer for Shoppers or a Nightmare for Businesses?

Web browsing researcher Leo discovered a new AI-powered feature recently added in Google Chrome. The upcoming addition in Google Chrome will let users give a quick summary of websites or stores that they are visiting online. This will be done with the help of artificial intelligence so users can have short reviews about the websites they are about to visit. This new feature is called “Store Reviews”. The reviews won't be summarized randomly, rather AI reviews will come from trusted review websites like ScamAdvisor, Trustpilot and some other review websites that users use to write their reviews.


The website summary will be in the page info bubble. Page info bubble is in the address bar, next to the website URL, and it is usually denoted with a lock icon or ‘i’ icon. When users click on it, some tabs about site information are present there and “Store Reviews” will be one of them. For instance, if a user visits X on a website, they can click on the lock icon to have information about the website. Once a user clicks on Store Reviews, they will be able to see what other people are saying about X and multiple sources will be used.

It will be a great feature to help users understand the trustworthiness and credibility of the website. Another thing is that this feature isn't the only AI update coming to Google Chrome. AI is also going to provide protection from viruses, dangerous downloads and suspicious sites. It is being referred to AI-Powered Protection and it will be on Google Chrome in upcoming months.

The introduction of Google Chrome's AI-powered "Store Reviews" feature could significantly impact eCommerce websites, SEOs, webmasters, and marketers. For eCommerce platforms, trust signals from credible reviews might boost conversions if the reviews are positive. However, businesses with less favorable reviews could face declining traffic or sales as users make decisions directly from the page info bubble. For SEOs, this feature emphasizes the importance of maintaining a stellar online reputation on sites like Trustpilot and ScamAdvisor, as these reviews will influence user trust more than organic search results alone. Webmasters must prioritize building secure, credible sites to avoid being flagged by Chrome’s AI-Powered Protection for suspicious behavior. Marketers may need to pivot their strategies to incorporate robust reputation management and leverage these summaries to highlight brand strengths.

On the other hand, Google might integrate its ecosystem further by incorporating Google Maps data or ads into these summaries, offering businesses new advertising opportunities while also presenting challenges to those aiming to rank organically. This evolution could reshape how users interact with websites and make decisions online.

The "Store Reviews" feature has sparked debate among users. Some fear the risks of LLM hallucinations falsely labeling malicious websites as trustworthy, potentially misleading users into dangerous interactions. Others argue that even an imperfect LLM is an improvement, as it offers quick insights and helps less tech-savvy users navigate online risks, though more discerning users may still rely on personal judgment and tools for protection.

These updates also come at a time when Google faces increasing pressure from the DOJ regarding Chrome’s dominance in the browser market. If such features lead to a tighter integration of Google services, critics might argue it further solidifies Google’s market hold, raising antitrust concerns. This could intensify scrutiny over whether Chrome’s innovations truly serve users or unfairly promote Google’s ecosystem.

Read next:

• Apple’s Old iPhones Reign Supreme As World’s Best-Selling Smartphone in Q3 2024

Data Shows How Much Big Tech CEOs Pay for their Annual Security Costs

• Baby Boomers Embrace Digital, Spending More Time Online Than Ever Before
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

Baby Boomers Embrace Digital, Spending More Time Online Than Ever Before

According to a recent research by WARC, Baby Boomers and seniors are spending more time on digital media as compared to the past decade. Baby Boomers spent an average 19 hours a week online. In 2023, 69.8% of Baby Boomers (45-54) were offline as compared to only 30.3% who were online. There was only a slight decrease in the percentages over the next three years.

But in 2023, 47.2% Baby Boomers (55-64) were offline while 52.8% of them were online. In 2024, 45.6% Baby Boomers were offline and 54.4% shifted to digital content. Most of them are spending their time watching connected TV or going online on different apps at home. 83% of Baby Boomers are going online if they need to learn about something new.

Digital audio and online video have seen the biggest growth in daily media consumption among 55-64 year-olds, doubling since 2019. Social media and online press have also grown significantly, while traditional media like print press, broadcast radio, and linear TV have seen declines.

Data shows, Facebook dominates social media usage among Baby Boomers in the US, with 29% using it weekly. Instagram follows with 16%, while TikTok and Snapchat lag behind with 9% and 7% respectively.

The sudden shift in Baby Boomer going online has also made marketers aware of the situation. Whether they would mostly focus on millennials and Gen-Z, some marketers have also started planning their marketing strategies around Baby Boomers.




Read next: Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World

OpenAI is Considering A New Ads Business Model

It's the fear that most of us thought would become true one day and now we can confirm that ads could soon be coming to ChatGPT.

A recent report from the Financial Times just spoke about the firm’s CFO experimenting with a new ads business model. While nothing is final yet, the company seems to be busy weighing in on the prospects.

This includes considering where the ads would appear and how frequently they would be seen. For now, CFO Sarah Friar says no active decision was made on the ordeal. However, that does not mean the idea isn’t possible.

So far, OpenAI has gone strong in terms of subscriptions to give more support to Generative AI tools. However, the expenses related to production and service are very high. Moreover, it might be hard to convince the investors of today to say yes to the plan.

Whatever the case might be, it’s quite the opposite of what OpenAI’s founder wanted. We’ve seen Sam Altman mention time after time in interviews how ads would be the final option for the company. He never said the idea was not possible but if it were up to him, it would be the last resort. Similarly, Altman expressed his opinion on why he detests advertising models. For him, it’s a personal preference that’s unsettling.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Monday, December 2, 2024

Why Australia’s Social Media Ban for Kids Alarms Big Tech

The Australian government’s announcement to ban children under 16 from social media has sparked an uproar. Meta, X, and TikTok have joined the opposition chorus. But why such resistance? These platforms already restrict users under 13, so what’s the big deal about raising the age limit?

The real issue is that enforcing this law will likely require a fundamental shift in how social media works. Right now, these platforms thrive on a simple system. A user states their age during signup with no proof required. Anyone can bypass this with a quick lie. It’s seamless, it’s easy, and it’s exactly how the companies want it. Frictionless onboarding ensures a steady flow of users, which fuels their business.

This ban threatens to disrupt everything. To enforce an under-16 restriction, platforms would need to verify everyone’s age. That’s where things get tricky. Age verification isn’t impossible, but it’s far from simple. It often involves documents like passports, credit cards, or driver’s licenses—things many 16-year-olds don’t even have.

Australia is testing solutions like facial recognition, but even this creates hurdles. Social media companies argue for delaying the legislation until the implementation details are sorted. Yet, from the government’s perspective, no proposed solution will ever sit well with these platforms.

The truth is that enforcing age verification could impact every user, not just kids. To ensure compliance, platforms may require all users to confirm their identities. This would fundamentally change how users interact with social media platforms.

The fallout could be massive. Requiring ID or biometric scans might deter new signups and alienate existing users. Many casual users might simply walk away, unwilling to jump through hoops. Dormant accounts—tens of millions of them—would vanish entirely.

This isn’t just a user experience problem. It cuts to the heart of these companies’ business models. Advertising relies on large, active user bases. Fewer users mean fewer impressions, less data, and ultimately, less revenue.
The fear doesn’t stop at Australia’s borders. Other countries, especially in Europe, are watching Canberra closely. Utah tried similar legislation, and while it was overturned, the interest remains. For social media giants, this isn’t just an Australian problem—it’s a global threat.

There are valid arguments against the ban. It might fail to achieve its goals, limit children’s access to valuable information, or even face legal challenges. But beyond these debates lies an unspoken truth. This law is bad for business. And that’s why big tech is truly scared.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: Who Owns the Most Generative AI Patents? China and the US Compete
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Energy Costs Across U.S. States: Wyoming Most Expensive, New Mexico Most Affordable

Energy costs vary widely across the U.S., with some states feeling the pressure far more than others.Wallethub calculated energy costs in different states in the USA. The calculation was done by keeping the electricity, gas, heating oil and motor fuel consumption in mind. Their prices were added together and then the 50 states were ranked according to their energy costs. According to the calculations, Wyoming was the state with the highest energy costs in 2024. The state has extremely cold weather and most of the consumption is of gas and residential oil. The average energy cost in Wyoming is $1591.

The second most expensive state in terms of energy cost is North Dakota with an average energy cost of $840. Heating oil is the most expensive in the state which takes up most of the energy cost. Iowa is the third most expensive state with an energy cost of $798 average. Other states with high energy costs are Montana ($787), Minnesota ($782) and Massachusetts ($759).

The states with lowest energy costs are Nebraska ($453), Texas ($437), Kansas ($436) and Arizona ($400). The state which is at the bottom of the list is New Mexico which has the average energy cost of $376.


State Total Energy Cost
Wyoming $1591
North Dakota $840
Iowa $798
Montana $787
Minnesota $782
Massachusetts $759
Connecticut $750
Alaska $716
South Dakota $709
Virginia $694
Rhode Island $690
Utah $684
Alabama $677
Pennsylvania $669
Maryland $665
New Hampshire $662
West Virginia $659
Wisconsin $659
Indiana $645
Maine $645
Vermont $644
New Jersey $643
Ohio $630
Illinois $622
Washington $618
Idaho $591
Oregon $591
New York $589
Hawaii $583
Michigan $583
Missouri $578
Delaware $564
North Carolina $557
Kentucky $556
Arkansas $541
Nevada $538
Georgia $533
South Carolina $533
Tennessee $524
Oklahoma $477
Californa $476
Louisiana $474
Colorado $470
Florida $462
Mississippi $457
Nebraska $453
Texas $437
Kansas $436
Arizona $400
New Mexico $376

Read next: Want to Work from Home? These In-Demand Remote Jobs Pay Big in 2025
by Arooj Ahmed via Digital Information World