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AI Insights for Dec. 13, 2024

This message was originally shared to subscribers December 13, 2024.

Welcome to “AI Insights”

ITS is excited to share the first edition of “AI Insights,” our newsletter dedicated to all things artificial intelligence (AI). Each edition will feature the latest news in AI, including its applications in higher education and developments across the AI landscape. We also will share tips for how you can put AI to work for you in the office or in the classroom.

Would you like to share an article you found or a tip for taking advantage of AI? We’d love to hear it! You can share your links and ideas using our Microsoft Form.

News and Views

Government

  • Trump appoints former PayPal exec David Sacks as AI and crypto czar (Reuters)
  • The House AI Task Force readies the final report with eyes on “bite-sized” regulatory efforts (MeriTalk)

Higher Education

Industry

  • Grok is now free for all X users (The Verge)
  • Anthropic introduces the Model Context Protocol (Anthropic)
  • Introducing Amazon Nova foundation models: Frontier intelligence and industry leading price performance (Amazon)
  • AI eats the world (Benedict Evans)
  • Google Introduces A.I. Agent That Aces 15-Day Weather Forecasts (New York Times)
  • The End of Focus Groups? AI Replicates Consumer Responses With 85% Accuracy (PYMNTS)
  • OpenAI’s 12 days of ‘ship-mas’: all the new announcements (The Verge)

Science

  • Huge randomized trial of AI boosts discovery — at least for good scientists (Nature)

This Issue’s Tip: Protecting University Data

You should only enter University data when working in the following AI tools and platforms, which meet the University’s security and compliance standards:

  • Microsoft Copilot
  • Adobe Firefly
  • Gradescope
  • Blackboard’s AI

To learn more, refer to the University’s AI guidelines.

This Issue’s Prompt: Drafting an Email

Prompts are how you ask generative AI tools to do something for you (e.g., creating, summarizing, editing or transforming). Treat it like a conversation, using clear language and enough context to get the result you have in mind.

To get more practice, use the generative AI tool of your choice (for example, Microsoft Copilot, Open AI ChatGPT or Anthropic Claude) to draft an email customizing the following prompt: “Draft an email to [name] that informs them that [Project] is delayed two weeks. Make it short and casual in tone.”

You can then revise the result to add an important detail, reduce or increase the word count, change the tone or make any other modification. The more context and guidance you provide, the better the result will be.

Helpful Resources

ITS and the campuswide information technology community are available year-round to help with your tech questions. Resources include:

“AI Insights” will return on Jan. 2, 2025. Thank you for reading. Go Orange!

The Digital Experience at Syracuse University

The following message from  Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin was initially sent to all students, faculty and staff on Aug. 29, 2024.

Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin
Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin

Welcome to the fall semester! Whether you are a student, faculty member or staff member at Syracuse University, the start of a new academic year is full of excitement and opportunity.

This is particularly true today. As the University’s senior vice president of digital transformation and chief digital officer (as well as an alumnus and a School of Information Studies faculty member), I am proud to say that we believe Syracuse University is the nation’s most connected campus. Continue Reading

From ITS MakerSpace Intern to Engineering Student

In classrooms across Syracuse University, faculty use microphones engraved with the words “Property of Syracuse University”—a detail that marks a lasting contribution from a motivated student, Ahmad Alawaad.

Ahmad’s decision to attend Syracuse University was heavily influenced by his immersive internship at the ITS MakerSpace as a high school student. The experience provided him with invaluable hands-on skills, deep personal connections and a profound understanding of his potential in electrical engineering.

Growing up in a home where technology was a regular topic of conversation, Ahmad naturally gravitated toward the MakerSpace.

“I’m very interested in information technology and I’ve always tinkered around with it because my dad does IT here,” says Ahmad. His father, Alaa Alawaad, serves as a computer consultant for the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University.

“Once I heard there was an internship, I jumped at the chance to do it.”

Ahmad's MakerSpace creation. Trophy of himself with his name engraved.
One of Ahmad’s MakerSpace creations

At the MakerSpace, Ahmad explored advanced tools that brought his theoretical knowledge into the practical world. “I was able to learn to use a laser machine, do shirt embroidery and more 3D printing. That’s what I love to do,” says Alawaad.

The MakerSpace served not only as a lab for experimentation but also as a classroom without boundaries. Ahmad’s work on various projects, including the opportunity to teach younger students and take on specialized tasks, furthered his passion for the craft.

“I helped them design, and that was so much fun.”

One memorable assignment involved engraving microphones with the words “Property of SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY,” a task that gave him a tangible sense of contribution to the campus community.

A microphone with 'Property of Syracuse University' engraved on it
Microphones Ahmad engraved

Lavalier microphone with 'property of Syracuse University' engraved on it

The relationships Ahmad formed during his internship were pivotal. Meeting fellow students and mentors deeply embedded in the technology field offered him both guidance and inspiration. These connections were instrumental in his technical and personal growth.

“I met two college students, Andrew and Anya, and I made deep connections with them. They taught me a lot.”

The culmination of Ahmad’s experiences at the MakerSpace was his participation in the summer college program, where he delved deeper into electrical engineering. Living on campus and interacting with a diverse group of students and professors made his college decision easy.

“After that two weeks, it really solidified my choice of going to Syracuse University.”

As Ahmad looks forward to starting his freshman year at Syracuse University, he is clear about his path: majoring in electrical engineering with an eye toward innovation.

“I intend to work for a company like JMA, CNS, Lockheed—one of those big companies, and invent stuff,” he said.

He looks forward to returning to the MakerSpace not just as a student but also as a mentor and innovator, contributing further to the community that helped him chart his own path.

 

 

Getting Connected: Tips from Information Technology Services

Information Technology Services (ITS) is dedicated to helping you start your computing experience at Syracuse University and providing access to our wide range of computing services and facilities. This guide offers information and instructions for connecting to campus networks, hooking up your television, getting technical support and more. You also can follow us on Instagram for tips and tricks throughout the semester!

Continue Reading

Advisory: Texting-Based Phishing Scams

By: Andrew McClurg 

Information Technology Services (ITS) has received reports of malicious texting, also known as smishing, occurring on campus. These scams involve individuals receiving text messages from someone claiming to be a known University staff member. The scammer requests account information and/or money, often in the form of gift cards, under the pretense of needing assistance. Continue Reading