The University of Rhode Island is launching a new degree program focused on artificial intelligence, available at its East Providence campus. The program will be highlighted in a show called AI Explained, airing Thursdays at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and midnight on the WPRI 12+ TV App and mobile apps. Program leaders Indrani Mandal and Dave Kale will discuss the curriculum alongside URI marketing professor Christy Ashley.
Key Takeaways
- URI launches a new AI degree program at its East Providence campus
- AI Explained show will feature the program on Thursdays on WPRI 12+
- Spending on AI-assisted campaign ads reached $137 million in midterms
- About 45 percent of AI-generated political ads included photorealistic deepfakes
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu emphasizes meta-level skills like clear thinking for AI users
- Anthropic's Chris Olah spoke at the Vatican on AI ethics and morality
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wants AI to reflect humanity's average moral view
- AI is widening cybersecurity gaps, with fewer than one in five businesses able to detect scope violations in real time
- South Side Bethlehem residents hold mixed views on AI and data centers
- Hooksett Library hosts an AI workshop on November 2 led by Mark Glisson
URI launches new artificial intelligence degree program
The University of Rhode Island is launching a new degree program focused on artificial intelligence. Program leaders Indrani Mandal and Dave Kale will discuss the program along with URI marketing professor Christy Ashley. The program will be featured in a show called AI Explained airing on Thursdays at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and midnight on the WPRI 12+ TV App and mobile apps.
URI launches new artificial intelligence degree program
The University of Rhode Island is set to offer a new degree program centered on artificial intelligence. The program will be available at URI in East Providence, Rhode Island. Viewers can watch the AI Explained show on Thursdays at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and midnight on the free WPRI 12+ TV App or on-demand under the Original and Local category.
AI campaign ad spending surges to $137 million in midterms
Spending on AI-assisted campaign ads has jumped from nearly zero to $137 million in the midterms. Wesleyan University tracked 220 AI-generated ads through October 11, mostly sponsored by Republican candidates or groups. About 45 percent of these ads included photorealistic deepfakes of candidates. Some experts say AI is transformative for low-budget ads, while voters remain uncomfortable with what they call AI slop.
Understanding AI defense in depth security challenges
This article explores how defense in depth applies to AI when AI is the thing being defended, the thing attacking, and the tool used for defense. The author notes that defense in depth matters more with AI because of greater autonomy, speed, and probabilistic components. Three approaches exist: bolt-on DiD, DiD is dead, and AI-native DiD. The article stresses that duplicate controls should not share one failure cause and that every preventive control needs a detective check.
AI is widening cybersecurity gaps businesses must address
AI is making cybercriminals more dangerous by automating tasks that once required significant time and expertise. Over half of businesses check AI access against policy in real time, but fewer than one in five can detect a scope violation as it happens. Experts say businesses need robust AI governance, continuous security learning, and better collaboration across supply chains. Cybersecurity Awareness Month focuses on not making it easy for attackers.
Zoho's Sridhar Vembu says AI needs meta level skills like clear thinking
Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu says that as AI becomes more common, skills like clear communication, problem-solving and spotting errors in AI responses are more important. He calls these meta level skills, which were once needed mainly by system architects. He believes these abilities can help people greatly improve their productivity when using AI.
South Side Bethlehem residents share mixed views on AI and data centers
The Brown and White spoke with South Side Bethlehem community members about their opinions on AI and data centers. Some residents like Haroon Ahmad see AI as a helpful tool similar to the car replacing the horse and buggy. Others like Augustin Cavalier worry AI could destroy jobs or wreck the economy. Small business owner Thomas Bochman and worker Bryanna Marcelo also shared concerns about AI hurting local businesses and the environment.
Tech companies turn to religion to make AI more moral, experts say it is complex
Tech companies are seeking guidance from religious leaders and philosophers to teach AI right from wrong. Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah spoke at the Vatican about Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI ethics. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wants AI to reflect humanity's average moral view. However, experts warn that treating religion as a simple rule book for AI can distort some traditions and ignore how religion actually works in culture and daily life.
Azeem Azhar and Paul Krugman discuss AI risks and the future of work
Azeem Azhar, founder of an online publication, and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman discussed AI risks and benefits based on a McKinsey Global Institute report. Krugman said AI could impact healthcare, education and finance while Azhar highlighted cybersecurity risks and lack of transparency in AI decisions. They disagreed on whether AI will make many jobs obsolete, with Krugman seeing major job shifts and Azhar believing jobs will change rather than disappear.
Hooksett Library workshop introduces residents to artificial intelligence
The Hooksett Library is hosting a workshop to help people learn about artificial intelligence. Presenter Mark Glisson, who is the assistant director of the library, will lead the session on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. The event is designed for anyone who wants to know more about AI.
Sources
- AI Explained: URI launching new artificial intelligence program
- AI Explained: URI launching new artificial intelligence program
- How Much AI Is Too Much AI In Campaign Ads?
- How to Solve the Mystery of AI Defense in Depth?
- The cybersecurity gaps AI is making harder to ignore
- Zoho's Sridhar Vembu says AI requires ‘meta level skills’, explains why clear thinking and problem-solving matter
- Stroll around the neighborhood: Opinions on AI and Data Centers
- To make AI morally good, tech companies turn to religion. But some say it isn’t that simple
- Dealroom.co | Azeem Azhar and Paul Krugman on AI hacking, investment risk and the future of work
- Workshop demystifies artificial intelligence
Comments
Please log in to post a comment.