Lately: The Globe’s Weekly Tech Newsletter
Is AI dulling our critical thinking skills?
A study earlier this year linked increased use of artificial-intelligence tools to lower critical-thinking abilities, especially in 17- to 25-year-olds. This trend could create a feedback loop: relying on AI diminishes deep analysis, which in turn fosters more dependence on AI. Colleges are already noticing this pattern, with educators concerned about the surge in AI-generated homework, even as tech firms promote AI tools to help overwhelmed students.
Throughout history, new technologies have sparked fear about their impact on human skills. Calculators, GPS, and digital watches all faced skepticism. Even Socrates criticized writing for weakening memory, a warning preserved by his student Plato’s writings.
“Dadfluencers” go against the pop-culture grain
On social media, a new group known as “dadfluencers” is gaining attention by sharing everyday fatherhood moments like changing diapers and making school lunches. This trend pushes back against outdated stereotypes of dads as uninvolved or work-obsessed. It highlights a shift toward “caring masculinity,” promoting hands-on, nurturing fatherhood as a positive cultural change.
The impact of Meta’s news ban during wildfire season
When wildfires hit Manitoba last month, many Canadians turned to Facebook for updates, evacuation notices, and community info. However, since 2023, Meta has blocked news articles from media outlets on Facebook and Instagram. Experts warn this could limit access to crucial information during emergencies, especially in northern, rural, and Indigenous communities where Facebook is a primary communication channel.
According to journalism experts, Facebook serves as a vital link to the outside world in these areas, making the ban particularly problematic for timely news delivery.
For this week’s edition of Adult Money, let’s talk Father’s Day.
Shopping for dads can be tricky. Some appreciate practical gifts—like a new garbage bin that once delighted one dad. But if your dad prefers something else, there are plenty of options. For whiskey lovers, consider Canadian picks. Outdoor enthusiasts might enjoy camping gear. For the office dad, business casual shorts are a good call. Or choose experiential gifts like concerts happening this summer.
“Immersive reading” is all the rage on BookTok
“Immersive reading” combines following the text while listening to the audiobook, recreating the feeling of a story being read aloud. Popular on BookTok, this method helps distracted readers focus and enhances the experience like watching a movie in your mind. Tech companies including Microsoft and Apple Books have introduced features supporting immersive reading. Apps like Speechify even let users convert text to their own or celebrity voices.
Some readers prefer controlling their own pace and imagining voices themselves, but immersive reading offers a fresh way to engage with books. Are you trying this method yet?
More tech and telecom news
- Telus proposes buying back Telus Digital for more than US$400-million
- Wealthsimple plans paperless cheques and Uber-like delivery of cash to customers’ doors
- Cohere launches AI health care agents in the U.S.
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