Sarah Welsh, PhD

If you're in higher education and are interested in getting the most out of generative AI, this is a discussion you shouldn't miss. I'll be talking with Jaime Hunt and Bart Caylor about prompting strategies and I'm sure we'll get into some different use cases. We'll be covering everything from basic prompts for different tools to creating custom GPTs. If you're not a member of the Higher Education Web Professionals Association (HighEdWeb), you can sign up for a free general membership as long as you have a .edu email. Wednesday, May 30, from 3-4 ET. Link in the comments. #highered #AI #genAI

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My early takeaway from PRSA Oregon #CommCon2024 is that the public is facing a real trust issue when it comes to innovations like AI and other emerging tech (and in general). Which raises the question: how do we address the trust crisis in a way that is both authentic and effective? #communications #publicrelations

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Fighting misinformation can be infuriating, not to mention difficult, but there are ways to do it effectively and here are some tips from Spin Sucks.

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Impact factor not impactful?? #socialwork #highereducation https://lnkd.in/gjkafM5j "For early-career scholars, the implications of citation longevity can be meaningful. Our data suggest that a new faculty member publishing primarily in strong society journals has yet to reach their full impact by mid-career milestones such as applying for tenure and promotion. The total contribution of the work to the field will likely not be seen until after their career is finished. This implies that early targeted work would continually improve their curriculum vitae, and the importance of this work would be captured by citation metrics that explicitly quantify long-term temporal patterns."

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Generative AI is becoming embedded across the publication lifecycle. The path to a positive version of this future depends on stakeholders taking action now. Today, Ithaka S+R publishes a new report, by my colleagues Tracy Bergstrom and Dylan Ruediger and supported by STM and several of its members, looking at the impacts of generative AI on scholarly communication. https://lnkd.in/e855RUSE

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A lesson I keep realearning throughout my career is that the “who” is everything. And I’m not surprised that the brilliant Jennifer Anastasoff, Cassandra Madison, Dan Pomeroy and the other organizers of this AI Talent Surge focused on the talent. Government: Federal, State, Local, and Tribal are not behind the curve in understanding the uses and risks of AI - because we have bold leaders that know that experience and expertise can’t only be left to the private sector. Sure, we will need technology developed and supported by private companies, and benefit from the incredible minds and research that comes out of academia. But, if government will use these new generative AI technologies to bring benefit while delivering exceptional human experiences- and not repeat really well known mistakes; we need talent. We need people who understand that user experience and the humans on both the constituent and public servant roles are everything. AI means nothing unless the experience is trustworthy, simple, value adding, intuitive, and reliable. We need technical experts that integrate technology mindfulness of security, but also in modular ways that allow for the rapid technological innovations. We need product managers that can always look at ways to drive new value and align in a constrained environment. Privacy, security, legality, and ethics should be ingrained in the people building these systems. AI is an amazing chapter - but a chapter in the incredible transformation of government of the people and for the people, powered by people! AI won’t solve all of our problems but people (with the help of AI of course) surely can! I am always grateful I get to work with brilliant people like Maria Julia Gutierrez , Michael Lawrence Evans ,Alejandro Jimenez Jaramillo, James Duffy, and the many other brilliant people in the City who are working to deliver better experiences using all of the tools we have. And I am also grateful I get to work with Beth Simone Noveck and the team at AI4Impact who is training a seriously talented group of young people who are not only tech savvy but really committed humans. And thanks to everyone else who participated- I am still trying to leverage what I learned into our work!

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Talking effectively about systems and system change is tricky. This short article sums up a key dilemma (overemphasizing individual choices vs. creating fatalism about systems), and outlines a path forward: "By being careful about *how* we present systems, we can guard against fatalistic interpretations and advance a constructive understanding of systems as under the control of people and therefore able and open to change." 

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A bipartisan Senate Committee just proposed a $32 billion initiative for AI development. The initiative emphasizes increasing research funding, setting robust development standards, and ensuring transparency. I advocate for integrating technology development with strong policy and societal insights to responsibly shape AI's future. What do you think? For more, check my blog here: https://lnkd.in/eqewPF78 #AI #Policy #Innovation #Governance

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PEAS in PODS Co-production Of Community Based Public Engagement for ethical AI Research - Community Projects Showcase 2024 Over the past 16 months our community members, Public Engagement Ambassadors (PEAs), and the project team have been working on three amazing community co-produced projects on the theme of ethical artificial Intelligence as part of the EPSRC funded project PEAS in PODS Co-production Of Community Based Public Engagement for ethical AI Research. We would like to invite you our Community Projects Showcase which will take place in person on 9th July 12.15-3pm at Manchester Metropolitan University. You'll hear about our three inspirational community projects including - The Peoples Charter for Artificial Intelligence (first reveal) and the first showing of our community video “Community perspectives on Artificial Intelligence'”. This is a great opportunity to meet some of our community members, PEAs, and project team as we start to share experiences and impact of the project. If you would like to attend, then please register for here https://lnkd.in/e5pF4RBd The event will start with a light lunch at 12.15 and kick off at 1pm , finishing at 3pm. Tickets are limited. About the Project The ambition of PEAs in PODs is to enable community engagement for place-based solutions in the Greater Manchester region, demonstrating that community engagement can make research more pertinent and impactful. The essence of the project is to empower the GM research community to engage meaningfully with traditionally marginalised communities and embed co-production methods into individual and institutional research processes and governance, achieved through the delivery of public engagement activities around the theme of ethical Artificial Intelligence and data-driven technologies. The project mission is to make GM the leading place to pioneer systematic and systemic change in how we do research, in line with UKRI strategy. This project has received funding from UKRI engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC) Grant Ref: EP/W033488/1. Manchester Met University Research - Department of Computing & Mathematics #PEAsinPods #peoplepoweredAI #ethicalAI #publicengagement  

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Honored to share my perspective on the importance of statisticians and data scientists in research at the Joint Statistical Meetings (JSM) in Portland this week. Key takeaways include addressing urgency, transdisciplinarity, and communication. These efforts are essential to advancing our field and making impactful contributions. Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to these insightful conversations. Together, we drive innovation and excellence in our profession! Watch the JSM interview below:   https://lnkd.in/g82sHKjm American Statistical Association - ASA #JSM2024 #DataScience #Statistics #Research

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This is such an important article from Evelina Ayrapetyan on the importance of looking at AI beyond the narrow scope of generative AI. While important, automated decision-making tech (ADMT) will and does have a profound effect on all. An important piece everyone should read.

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In case you were wondering how AI can help on the topic of school shootings, join NPS-CHDS faculty, Rodrigo Nieto Gómez, and NPS-CHDS master's alum, Dave Reidman on how this tech is evolving.

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We are off to the races with day 2 of the #DEI Bootcamp for Communicators series. Today’s topic addresses unconscious bias and microaggressions. These silent message disruptors can cause harm as death by a thousand cuts. #diversityequityandinclusion #bias #microaggressions #prejudice #communications #publicrelations #media #training #webinar #government #nonprofit #associations #foundation #business #socialjustice

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If you're going to change industries, you need a compelling story that explains why this new path makes sense. My background is in archaeology, which on the surface doesn't make sense with my current career path in digital communications. But here's the story I spin. While I was doing my PhD in archaeology, I took on a lot of interesting side jobs to pay for it. I built websites, databases, and mobile apps. I managed social media accounts and taught people how to start their own. I even oversaw production of an educational video game. And when it was time to graduate, I decided I wanted to make my side hustle into a long-term career and use what I learned from studying ancient communities to develop online communities. You are going to be asked why you're changing careers. You may even be seen as a bit of a risk because people might think you aren't committed to this new track. You need to convince them that, despite your interesting background, this is indeed the path you were always meant to be on. That your unique skillset and education actually make you a stronger candidate. What's your story? #SocialMedia #AltAc

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👉 "Accelerating Software Deployment to the Federal Government Workshop" is LIVE!! Who: - Startups and companies keen on deploying software to the Federal Government. Why: - Innovation within government agencies and tech companies often faces hurdles like complexity, costs, and accreditation timelines. Palantir Technologies' FedStart offers a solution! FedStart provides a fully managed and accredited Kubernetes-based environment, enabling swift delivery of accredited solutions. Join the FedStart ecosystem to foster innovation and overcome barriers. Say goodbye to accreditation struggles - FedStart offers a SaaS solution, that supports rapid FedRAMP and IL compliance, cutting accreditation timelines to weeks and costs drastically. What: - Dive into Palantir FedStart's features and advantages with our experts. Get hands-on with containerized applications integration in the FedStart environment. - Learn about FedRAMP and IL5 compliance significance and how Palantir FedStart nails it. - Collaborate with attendees, Palantir reps, and industry peers on implementation strategies. - Network and pave the way for future innovation collaborations. - Deliver cutting-edge solutions to the government at the speed of innovation. Event Logistics: - Date: June 11th, 2024 - Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm - Location: UAH I2C - Registration: https://bit.ly/FedStart Agenda: - 5:00 pm: Check-in / Networking - 5:30 pm: Workshop / FedStart: Accelerating Software Deployment to the Federal Government - 7:00 pm: Networking / Close-out ----- 👉 Questions? Contact: AI Research Collaborative [ARC] at [email protected] Don't miss this opportunity to accelerate your software deployment journey! See you there! ----- #FedStart #Innovation #GovernmentTech #DefenceTech #Huntsville #Alabama #Startups #SME #SmallBusiness #FedRAMP

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Great article on a key issue! There has to be a better way to honor the role of public libraries and balance interests so that corporations aren't extracting arbitrarily exorbitant amounts from the lean budgets of critical social infrastructure. It creates an absurd situation. Our public libraries are meant to enrich all people figuratively -- not select businesses in the literal sense. Key takeaways for me from this Axios report: - For popular e-books, libraries often pay $55 for one copy that expires after 2 years (or $550 for one copy for 20 years), per the American Library Association - A consumer pays around $15 for perpetual use of same exact e-book - A regular old hardcover book, btw, is around $18-20 This feels, at worst, knowingly exploitive of public funds for agencies with leaner budgets trying to stay relevant and provide superior service to the communities they seek to educate, inform and enrich through libraries. And while I'm embarrassed to admit I'm too old school to use e-books/e-readers, I have friends who are super-users of these valuable ways public libraries reach and enrich their patrons.

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"Luddites do not oppose development or advancement. They do not oppose technology in any form ...to call someone a Luddite is to show respect to their moral and ethical consideration of the use of technology?" "Whatever we end up using these new tools for, in academia, with/by students, and the world of work, it’s clear this is a step we can’t take back. We need to understand it and the opportunities it offers ... whilst understanding and working with any limitations; technical or ethical." https://lnkd.in/eWuefkas #Luddite #EdTech #DigitalEducation #Learning

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Media ecology includes the analysis of each new tech. #NeilPostman recommends asking "What is the problem to which this technology is a solution?" In that light: some people who don't like #human tutors may benefit from #AI! Our options have expanded. Pete Dunford created this: https://lnkd.in/gc6ZkJUw #medialiteracy #mediaeducation #mediaecology #tutoring #artificialintelligence

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When we hear what is clearly "Disinformation," which is Misinformation with Malice, from a "News" source, always check out that source here https://lnkd.in/gPmuAEiq #climatescience #climatechange

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