On Florida International University Week: Many students can struggle while taking a calculus course. Laird Kramer, founding director of the STEM Transformation Institute professor of physics at Florida International University, attempts to find a way to change things. Laird Kramer’s work focuses on facilitating institutional change in STEM instruct…

In this bonus episode of Generative AI 101, we’re looking at a growing concern - sounding too much like ChatGPT. Ever been told you write like a machine? That’s what we’re unpacking today. We’ll explore how AI, particularly ChatGPT, has started to influence our writing with overused phrases and predictable language. It’s like seasoning your food wi…

On Florida International University Week: The growing issue of harmful algal blooms in waterways may be solved by…growing flowers? Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez, post-doctoral research associate, explains. Dr. Jazmin Locke-Rodriguez completed her doctoral research in the Fall of 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Krish Jayachandran, as part of both the Agr…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we discover the origins and workings of the Elo Rating System—a clever, adaptable method originally designed to rank chess players but now influencing everything from online gaming to, most importantly for us, AI models. We’ll explore how this simple yet effective system predicts match outcomes, adjusts ranking…

On Florida International University Week: Learning a second language can be important, especially for premature babies. Melissa Baralt, Associate Professor in Modern Languages at Florida International University, explains why. Melissa Baralt’s funded studies explore how bilingualism moderates executive function in children born prematurely. She and…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we’re exploring the need-to-know LMSYS Org and their innovative Chatbot Arena. LMSYS Org, a collaboration between top minds at UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, and Carnegie Melon University, is breaking new ground by making powerful AI models accessible to everyone. They’re not just creating AI—they’re building a com…

On Florida International University Week: What happens when treatment options for cancer diagnoses run out? Diana Azzam, assistant professor in the department of environmental health sciences, looks into taking the guesswork out of this process. Diana Azzam, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University. She has a Masters in Bi…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we explore evaluating Generative AI large language models (LLMs). Just like finding the best restaurant in town means more than judging a single dish, evaluating AI models requires a comprehensive approach. We break down why assessing performance, comparing models, and building user trust are central to evaluat…

On Florida International University Week: How do we improve forensic science? Kenneth G. Furton, distinguished university professor in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, explores a way. Dr. Kenneth G. Furton is the executive director of the Global Forensic and Justice Center and the chief scientific officer of Florida International Unive…

On Texas Christian University Week: We might be thinking about strength training for women in the wrong way. Joshua Carr, assistant professor in the department of kinesiology, examines some new research that could help develop resistance training for women. Dr. Joshua Carr is an Assistant Professor at Texas Christian University. He earned his Ph.D.…

On Texas Christian University Week: Sex trafficking survivors face a long and complex recovery. Mary Twis, master of social work program director and associate professor, determines what brings about best outcomes. Mary Twis is an associate professor in the Department of Social Work at TCU, where she researches human trafficking prevention and inte…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we’re tackling the curious case of AI hallucinations—when AI creates content that’s completely off the mark. We’ll explore how these digital daydreams happen, why humans aren’t immune to similar slip-ups, and the impact these hallucinations can have. Whether amusing or alarming, AI hallucinations are a phenomen…

On Texas Christian University Week: Social media and smartphones can harm body image, but A.I. could help. Robyn Trocchio, graduate program director and associate professor, explores how. Dr. Robyn Trocchio is an associate professor of kinesiology and the director of the sport and exercise psychology lab at Texas Christian University. She also serv…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we’re fine-tuning your AI prompting skills. Learn how to refine prompts to turn mediocre responses into top-tier results. We’ll cover techniques like iterative prompting, using context, and applying constraints, along with ethical considerations to ensure fairness. Get ready to make your AI work smarter, not ha…

On Texas Christian University Week: How do we empower Hispanic agricultural workers to get the health care they need? Carol Howe, Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed professor of Nursing and Director of Nursing Research & Scholarship, delves into this. Carol Howe, Ph.D., is the Paula R. and Ronald C. Parker Endowed Professor of Nursing at Texas C…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we’re exploring the various flavors of generative AI bias and inaccuracy—those pesky issues that make your AI sound like it’s stuck in a 1950s sitcom. From data-driven biases baked into AI’s training to sneaky algorithmic quirks and the all-too-human flaws we project onto our creations, we explore how to recogn…

On Texas Christian University Week: Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may have a different relationship to language than other children. Emily Lund, associate professor at the Davies School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, examines how to help bridge the gap. Emily Lund is an Associate Professor in the Davies School of Communication Sc…

What determines whether teachers stay or go? Melissa Beck Wells, assistant professor and interim director of teaching, learning and faculty development at Empire State University, finds out. Melissa Beck Wells is a lifelong educator, formally a special educator in the New York City public schools. She holds her doctoral degree in Special Education,…

On this Student Spotlight: We’ve heard a lot about active learning, but what is it exactly? Danielle Clevenger, Ph. D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Wisconsin Madison, examines this question. Danielle (Dani) Clevenger is currently a Philosophy Ph.D. candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her research spans a number of sub-…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we catch a wave into the BAB framework (we're totally calling it "BABE")—an effortlessly cool method for crafting AI prompts that turn "meh" into "tubular!" BAB, short for Before, After, and Bridge, guides you from dull, lifeless AI interactions to responses that shine like a pro surfer catching the perfect wav…

There is a diversity of experiences in higher education. Ebony Aya, program manager and teaching faculty at Macalester College, explores why some are more disadvantaged than others. Ebony Aya is a recent PhD graduate of the University of Minnesota in Curriculum and Instruction, with minors in Culture and Teaching and African American and African St…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we explore CARE Prompting—a sophisticated method that prioritizes Craft, Audience, Response, and Evaluation to fine-tune AI outputs. CARE Prompting is designed to create responses that go beyond accuracy, ensuring they resonate deeply and reflect a comprehensive understanding of your goals. If you enjoyed this …

How do institutions make a good first impression on students at the beginning of a new school year? Alexis Redding, faculty co-chair of higher education and lecturer at Harvard University, says they have only a few days to do so. Alexis Redding is a developmental psychologist whose work focuses on the college experience and what students need to th…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we’re taking a high-speed tour of the RACE Prompting method—where Role, Audience, Context, and Example aren’t just pit stops, but the keys to better communication. Ready to take your AI skills to the next lap? Connect with Emily Laird on LinkedIn. Stay tuned for more laps around the ever-evolving circuit of AI …

Screen time in schools isn’t going away, how do we make it make it the best it can be? Jeff Frank, professor of education at St. Lawrence University, examines. Jeff Frank is a philosopher of education. He is a professor of education at St. Lawrence University, and the inaugural director of St. Lawrence’s Center for Innovation in Teaching and Assess…

Digital dating apps have brought new terms to the fore, but what do they mean? Danielle Sukenik, instructor in psychiatry at the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, explores these. Danielle Sukenik is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience based in Denver, Colorado at…

Populism can function differently when it’s not paired with democracies. Brian Grodsky, chair and professor in the department of political science at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, explains the benefits. Brian Grodsky is a Professor of Comparative Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His research interests include…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we explore the ins and outs of RTF Prompting—an approach that sharpens your AI's focus by defining its Role, Task, and Format. Whether you're tasking your AI with writing a travel blog, analyzing financial data, or extracting historical records, RTF Prompting provides the clarity and structure needed to achieve…

Changing the language of terms we use to refer to people suffering from addiction can be key, even if they self-identify with the terminology. Cailyn Green, assistant professor of addiction studies in the school of human services at Empire State University, explains why. Cailyn Green, MS, Ph.D., Masters-CASAC is the Assistant Professor of Addiction…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we break down the concept of self-consistency prompting—a technique that enhances AI accuracy by posing the same question in multiple ways and selecting the most consistent answer. By guiding your large language model through varied prompts, this method improves performance on complex reasoning tasks and reduce…

The opioid crisis has been reported, but maybe not to its full extent. Donna Nelson, professor of chemistry at the University of Oklahoma, examines into the numbers. Dr. Donna Nelson is a Professor of Chemistry at University of Oklahoma. Her research has always engaged the chemistry community and served professional societies and organizations, col…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we break down the concept of chain-of-thought prompting—a technique that helps AI models think through complex tasks step by step, improving their logical and accurate responses. By guiding the AI, or your large language model of choice, through detailed instructions, this method enhances performance on tasks l…

We know the name John Muir, but others came before him. Michael Hoberman, professor of English studies at Fitchburg State University, explores a few of them. Michael Hoberman is a professor of American literature at Fitchburg State University. He is the author of several books on Jewish history in the US, including New Israel/New England: Jews and …

What’s the harm in letting A.I. make decisions for us? Joe Arvai, Director of USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California Dornsife, explores one. Dr. Joe Árvai is the Dana and David Dornsife Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology, and he is the Director…

Parks are for everyone, right? Daniel Trudeau, professor of geography at Macalester College, says not everyone may feel welcome. Dan Trudeau is an urban geographer. He examines the roles of city planning and public policy in shaping urban development. His work explores the interactions between the built environment and social inequality and focuses…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we explore the example-heavy world of few shot prompting. Imagine describing a dish you love to a chef and then offering them multiple recipes on how to make it. That's few-shot prompting—maximum input, maximum efficiency. We'll explore how this technique can turn your AI into a translation whiz or a sentiment …

How do we lessen the risk of suicidal ideation among service members? April Smith, associate professor and the director of research on eating disorders and suicidality laboratory at Auburn University, asks questions to find answers. Dr. Smith is currently an Associate Professor of Psychology at Auburn University and the director of the Research on …

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we dive into the art of one-shot prompting. Imagine teaching someone a recipe with just one perfect example instead of a whole cookbook. That's one-shot prompting—minimal input, maximum efficiency. We'll explore how this technique can turn your AI into a translation whiz or a sentiment analysis expert with just…

Can we learn about the natural world from works of fiction? Michael Werner, assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah, reads up to find out. Michael Werner is an assistant professor in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Utah. He uses worms to study developmental biology. Dissecting Fact a…

Join us on Generative AI 101 as we demystify zero-shot prompting—a technique that lets LLMs perform tasks without prior examples. Imagine whipping up a dish you've never heard of with no recipe; that's zero-shot prompting in action. We’ll explore how AI models leverage vast pre-existing knowledge to answer questions, classify sentiments, and more, …

How do we get white heterosexual men to confront feelings of homophobia and sexism? Rogerio Pinto, University Diversity & Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan, approaches this goal. Rogério M. Pinto is a University of Michigan Diversity & Social Transformation Professor, Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Collegiate Professor of Social…

Electric car batteries may need some tweaking to work at their best in winter climates. Wesley Chang, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, explores solutions. Wes Chang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and an affiliated faculty member of the Department …

Politicians use a lot of words when campaigning, but the most meaningful are very simple. Douglas Dowland, associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, discusses these. Douglas Dowland is associate professor of English at Ohio Northern University, where he teaches a wide array of literature and humanities courses. His book We, Us, an…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we continue with the art of crafting the perfect prompt for AI. Much like brewing the perfect cup of coffee, the right balance of persona, output format, context, examples, and instructions can transform a bland response into a rich, engaging answer. Tune in as Emily breaks down these five key elements, provide…

Social distancing was key in reducing COVID deaths, but it came with consequences. Douglas Wolf, professor of public administration and international affairs at Syracuse University, looks at why. Douglas Wolf is a demographer, policy analyst, program evaluator and gerontological researcher with many years of experience studying the economic, demogr…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we uncover the art of crafting perfect prompts for AI. Think of it as giving precise instructions to a master chef. We'll break down the anatomy of a prompt into three key components: instructions, context, and constraints. By comparing effective and ineffective examples, we show you how to transform vague requ…

Are scientists the only ones who can do science work? Jon Rosales, professor of environmental studies at St. Lawrence University, says no. St. Lawrence University Professor of Environmental Studies Jon Rosales is a climate change scientist focused on the impacts of climate change on native peoples in the Arctic. His expertise and scholarly focus ar…

In this episode of Generative AI 101, we dig into the world of prompt engineering. Think of it as giving your AI precise instructions, like ordering the perfect Starbucks beverage. We’ll explore how writing effective prompts can turn an AI into a super-smart assistant, capable of generating compelling text, aiding customer support, and analyzing la…

Not everyone understands the heat index on a summer day, which can lead to medical issues. Micki Olson, senior research scientist in the college of emergency preparedness, homeland security and cybersecurity at the University at Albany, explores how to simplify this language to keep people safe. Micki Olson is a risk communication expert who specia…

Psychedelics may be the way out of depression. Argel Aguilar Valles, assistant professor in the department of neuroscience at Carleton University, explores why. Dr. Argel Aguilar Valles received his B.Sc. (Biology) and M.Sc. (Biochemistry) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Then, he obtained his Ph.D. in Neuroscience at McGil…