June 17, 2025

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OpenAI Impact, Meta, Amazon & Google AI Concerns Rise

Recent developments highlight both the promise and potential pitfalls of AI across various sectors. Concerns are rising about over-reliance on AI impacting critical thinking, as demonstrated by a recent OpenAI outage and studies linking AI use to lower critical thinking scores. Experts like Carlos Gershenson-Garcia caution against the overhyping of AI, while Stephanie Tulk Jesso raises ethical and environmental concerns. Jason Alan Snyder points out that the pursuit of 'frictionless' systems driven by AI from companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google may erode creativity and value. Despite these concerns, AI is being actively implemented and tested in several fields. The DAO Fund is supporting live trading tests of the SAX-iCore AI system, while MetaSwap Exchange has launched its AlphaLogic AI trading system. Juvenescence acquired Ro5 to boost AI in drug discovery, and Atos opened an AI-driven Security Operations Center in Qatar for cyber defense. Study Space is using AI to convert documents into online courses, and Taxfyle introduced TXF Intelligence, an AI tool for tax preparation. In healthcare, an AI tool developed by Mass General Brigham and the VA can detect hidden heart disease in old scans. Oliver Burkeman warns about the 'efficiency trap,' where AI-driven productivity gains lead to more work rather than leisure. AI's impact extends to college admissions, where essays are being re-evaluated for their ability to showcase a student's unique qualities in the age of AI-generated content. Finally, while AI excels at specific tasks, humans maintain an edge in energy efficiency, using significantly less power than AI systems simulating human thought processes. The rise of AI networking platforms is also reshaping managed network services, potentially reducing the need for traditional providers.

Key Takeaways

  • Concerns are growing that over-reliance on AI, as highlighted by a recent OpenAI outage, may negatively impact critical thinking skills.
  • Experts caution against the overhyping of AI and raise ethical and environmental concerns regarding its implementation.
  • Jason Alan Snyder suggests that AI's push for 'frictionless' systems by companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google could erode creativity and value.
  • The DAO Fund is funding live trading tests of the SAX-iCore AI system, which replaces emotional decisions with structural logic.
  • MetaSwap Exchange has launched AlphaLogic, an AI-powered trading system designed for both new and experienced traders.
  • Juvenescence has acquired Ro5 to enhance its AI and machine learning capabilities for drug discovery.
  • Atos has launched an AI-driven Security Operations Center in Qatar to enhance cyber resilience with 24/7 managed detection and response services.
  • Study Space uses AI to convert documents into online courses, offering tailored learning experiences.
  • Taxfyle introduced TXF Intelligence, an AI tool designed to automate tax return preparation for small firms.
  • An AI tool developed by Mass General Brigham and the VA, called AI-CAC, can detect hidden heart disease in old CT scans, potentially improving early detection and treatment.

AI and the Trap of Productivity Oliver Burkeman Interview

Oliver Burkeman discusses AI's impact on productivity with Aline Holzwarth and Samuel Salzer. Burkeman warns about the 'efficiency trap,' where increased productivity leads to more work, not more leisure. He suggests that accepting our limitations can be empowering. AI tools promising extreme efficiency gains often lead to people filling the extra time with more tasks. Burkeman also notes that AI's rise might make enjoyable work less so, turning people into taskmasters.

Is AI Hurting Our Ability to Think Critically?

A recent OpenAI outage showed how much people rely on AI, raising concerns about critical thinking. A 2011 study showed that using the internet affects memory, with people remembering where to find information rather than the information itself. Today, AI does more than search, impacting our ability to analyze and make decisions. Dr. Michael Gerlich warns that relying too much on AI may lead to a 'lazy brain'. Studies show a link between AI use and lower scores in critical thinking skills.

AI's Future Experts Share Thoughts on Innovation and Skepticism

Experts at the School of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering are studying AI's implementation and improvements. Professor Carlos Gershenson-Garcia notes that AI breakthroughs are often overhyped, leading to periods of disappointment. Assistant Professor Stephanie Tulk Jesso expresses concerns about AI being oversold and not always improving work. She also highlights ethical and environmental issues related to AI. Associate Professor Christopher Greene researches collaborative robots to improve manufacturing processes.

AI and Human Friction What Machines Can't Understand

Jason Alan Snyder argues that AI's push for frictionless systems erodes value and meaning. Companies like Meta, Amazon, and Google use AI to dismantle previous systems, promising efficiency but delivering consolidation. This pursuit of frictionlessness threatens creative work like branding and storytelling. Snyder suggests that friction is essential for creativity and memory. He warns that removing friction from learning and creativity can lead to blandness and a loss of value.

DAO Fund Supports SAX-iCore AI Trading System Live Tests

The DAO Fund is providing capital to SkyCrest Capital trainees for live trading tests of the SAX-iCore AI system. Participants will use $400 of test capital funded by DAO, keeping any profits while losses are covered. The DAO Fund supports SAX-iCore because it replaces emotional decisions with structural logic. SAX-iCore identifies patterns and executes trades without relying on news or predictions. Ethan Carter, PhD, says the test will train an AI to 'think with the market'.

MetaSwap Exchange Launches AlphaLogic AI Trading System

MetaSwap Exchange has launched AlphaLogic, an AI-powered trading system for faster execution and strategy automation. AlphaLogic is designed for both new and experienced traders, offering an easy-to-use interface with an advanced AI backend. The system uses predictive analytics and real-time sentiment tracking. Users can create custom strategies using a drag-and-drop interface. AlphaLogic integrates with MetaSwap's platform and is available on desktop and mobile.

Juvenescence Buys Ro5 to Boost AI in Drug Discovery

Juvenescence has acquired Ro5 to enhance its AI and machine learning for drug discovery. Ro5 specializes in using AI to improve pharmaceutical research. Juvenescence aims to identify potential drugs more efficiently and improve research outcomes. This move reflects the pharmaceutical industry's growing use of AI to speed up the development of new treatments.

Atos Opens AI Security Center in Qatar for Cyber Defense

Atos has launched an AI-driven Security Operations Center (SOC) in Qatar to boost cyber resilience. The SOC will provide 24/7 managed detection and response services. It uses AI and machine learning to predict and mitigate cyber threats. The center aims to enhance Qatar's cybersecurity and protect its digital infrastructure. Atos plans to double its team of cybersecurity experts in Qatar within six months.

Study Space AI Turns Documents into Online Courses

Study Space, a new learning platform, uses AI to convert documents into online courses. The platform creates engaging courses with slides, voice narration, and animations. Users don't need special skills to use the platform. The courses can be tailored to individual learning goals and preferences. Study Space was founded by members from universities like Oxford and Columbia.

AI Networking The Future of Managed Network Services

AI-powered networking platforms are changing how enterprise networks work. These systems automate tasks like configuration, monitoring, and security. This raises questions about the future of managed network services (MNS). AI networks can self-manage, reducing the need for traditional MNS providers. MNS providers may need to shift from managing infrastructure to enabling strategic outcomes and integrations.

Taxfyle Introduces TXF Intelligence AI Tool for Tax Prep

Taxfyle has launched TXF Intelligence, an AI tool to automate tax return preparation for small firms. It automates data collection and tax return preparation within existing tax software. The tool is designed for small tax preparers who lack access to expensive software. TXF Intelligence integrates with popular tax software. It also connects firms with Taxfyle's network of CPAs and IRS agents.

College Essays in the Age of AI What Makes a Good One?

Sarah McGinty discusses the role of college essays in the age of AI. She notes that essays have been used to assess students' writing, thinking, and fit with the college. McGinty suggests that current essay prompts often lead students to 'brag'. She proposes a prompt that asks students to describe something small and insignificant in their lives. Adaeze Ogunedo believes essays offer a glimpse into who the student is beyond grades and resumes.

Humans vs AI Brainpower Humans Still Win in Energy Use

While AI can generate text and images, humans are more energy efficient. The human brain uses very little energy compared to AI. AI simulating a human brain's thought process requires much more power. Training AI programs also consumes a lot of electricity and water. AI can help with simulations and data calculations, but humans are better at multitasking.

AI Detects Hidden Heart Disease in Old Scans

Researchers at Mass General Brigham and the VA have created an AI tool to find hidden heart disease. The AI tool, called AI-CAC, analyzes old CT scans to identify high calcium levels in arteries. High calcium levels indicate a greater risk for heart problems. The AI-CAC tool was accurate in detecting calcium and predicting mortality. It could help doctors identify patients at risk earlier.

Sources

AI Machine Learning Productivity Critical Thinking Innovation Skepticism Ethics Environmental Issues Collaborative Robots Manufacturing Frictionless Systems Creativity Memory Trading Systems DAO Fund SAX-iCore AlphaLogic MetaSwap Exchange Drug Discovery Pharmaceutical Research Ro5 Juvenescence Cybersecurity Security Operations Center (SOC) Atos Cyber Defense Online Courses Study Space Managed Network Services (MNS) Tax Preparation Taxfyle TXF Intelligence College Essays Energy Efficiency Heart Disease Detection AI-CAC CT Scans Healthcare Predictive Analytics Sentiment Tracking Data Collection Automation Risk Management Mortality Prediction