Contact Me By Email

Thursday, January 30, 2025

The Best Chromebooks in 2024

With Sweeping Executive Orders, Trump Tests Local Control of Schools

With Sweeping Executive Orders, Trump Tests Local Control of Schools

“President Trump issued executive orders aimed at reshaping public education, promoting “patriotic” education and restricting discussions about race and gender. While the orders echo conservative state laws, their impact is uncertain due to the decentralized nature of K-12 education funding and curriculum control. While some self-censorship may occur, historical precedents suggest that attempts to ban ideas from the classroom are rarely successful.

The orders seek to encourage “patriotic education” and restrict discussions about racism and gender by threatening to withdraw federal funding. But schools are often resistant to change.

A student walks down a school hallway.
President Trump’s orders seek to exert more federal control over schools. Philip Cheung for The New York Times

With a series of executive orders, President Trump has demonstrated that he has the appetite for an audacious fight to remake public education in the image of his “anti-woke,” populist political movement.

But in a country unique among nations for its hyperlocal control of schools, the effort is likely to run into legal, logistical and funding trouble as it tests the limits of federal power over K-12 education.

On Wednesday evening, Mr. Trump signed two executive orders. One was a 2,400-word behemoth focused mainly on race, gender and American history. It seeks to prevent schools from recognizing transgender identities or teaching about concepts such as structural racism, “white privilege” and “unconscious bias,” by threatening their federal funding.

The order also promotes “patriotic” education that depicts the American founding as “unifying, inspiring and ennobling” while explaining how the United States “has admirably grown closer to its noble principles throughout its history.”

The second order directs a swath of federal agencies to look for ways to expand access to private school vouchers.

Both orders echo energetic conservative lawmaking in the states. Over the past five years, the number of children using taxpayer dollars for private education or home-schooling costs has doubled, to one million. More than 20 states have restricted how race, gender and American history can be discussed in schools. States and school boards have banned thousands of books

It is not clear what real-world effect the new federal orders might have in places where shifts are not already underway. States and localities provide 90 percent of the funding for public education — and have the sole power to set curriculums, tests, teaching methods and school-choice policies.

The orders are likely to strain against the limits of the federal government’s role in K-12 education, a role that Mr. Trump has said should be reduced.

That paradox is a “confounding” one, said Derrell Bradford, president of 50CAN, a nonpartisan group that supports private school choice. He applauded the executive order on vouchers and said that taken together, the two orders mark a major moment in the centuries-old debate over what values the nation’s schools should impart.

“You can like it or not, but we’re not going to have values-neutral schools,” he said.

Still, there are many legal questions about the administration’s ability to restrict federal funding in order to pressure schools.

The major funding stream that supports public schools, known as Title I, goes out to states in a formula set by Congress, and the president has little power to restrict its flow.

“It seems like a significant part of the strategy is to set priorities through executive order and make the Congress or the Supreme Court respond — as they are supposed to in a system of checks and balances,” Mr. Bradford said.

The executive branch does control smaller tranches of discretionary funding, but they may not be enough to persuade school districts to change their practices.

In Los Angeles, Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the nation’s second-largest school district, said last fall that regardless of who won the presidential election, his system would not change the way it handles gender identity.

Transgender students are allowed to play on sports teams and use bathrooms that align with their gender identities, policies the Trump order is trying to end.

On Wednesday, after it became clear that Mr. Trump would attempt to cut funding, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles public school district released a more guarded statement, saying, “Our academic standards are aligned with all state and federal mandates and we remain committed to creating and maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.”

One big limit to Mr. Trump’s agenda is that despite official federal, state and district policies, individual teachers have significant say over what gets taught and how.

Even in conservative regions of Republican-run states, efforts to control the curriculum have sometimes sputtered.

In Oklahoma, for example, where the state superintendent, Ryan Walters, is a Trump ally, some conservative educators have pushed back against efforts to insert the Bible into the curriculum.

Nationally, surveys of teachers show that the majority did not change their classroom materials or methods in response to conservative laws. Some educators have reported that they are able to subtly resist attempts to control how subjects like racism are talked about, for example, by teaching students about the debate for and against restrictive curriculum policies.

Florida has been, in many ways, an outlying case — and one that has served as a model for the Trump administration.

There, Gov. Ron DeSantis created powerful incentives for teachers to embrace priorities such as emphasizing the Christian beliefs of the founding fathers and restricting discussions of gender and racism.

Teachers could earn a $3,000 bonus for taking a training course on new civics learning standards. If their students performed poorly on a standardized test of the subject, their own evaluation ratings suffered.

On race and gender, the DeSantis restrictions were broad and vaguely written. Schools accused of breaking the laws could be sued for financial damages, and teachers were threatened with losing their professional licenses.

This led many schools and educators to interpret the laws broadly. Sometimes they interpreted them more broadly than intended, the DeSantis administration claimed. A ban on books with sexual content led one district to announce that “Romeo and Juliet” would be pulled from the curriculum.

A ban on recognizing transgender identities led to schools sending home nickname permission slips to parents, which were required even if a student named William wanted to be called Will.

Public school educators are often fearful of running into trouble with higher-level authorities. It is possible, and even likely, that Mr. Trump’s executive orders will lead to some measure of self-censorship.

Adam Laats, an education historian at Binghamton University, said one potential historical antecedent for Mr. Trump’s executive order was the Red Scare in the mid-20th century, during which many teachers accused of Communist sympathies lost their jobs or were taken to court.

“To my mind, this executive order is a blast of steam,” he said, “dangerous especially because it can encourage local aggressive activism.”

But, he noted, political attempts to ban ideas from the classroom have rarely been successful.“

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

iPad Pro 2024 Review: Why Not Make This a Mac?


iPad Pro 2024 Review: Why Not Make This a Mac?

Apple's highest-end iPad still feels ahead of where the Mac is in some ways and behind it in others. It makes me wonder, more than ever, why there's a line between iPads and Macs at all.





Saturday, January 25, 2025

When A.I. Passes This Test, Look Out

When A.I. Passes This Test, Look Out

‘’A new test called “Humanity’s Last Exam” is being released, designed to measure the capabilities of AI systems across a wide range of academic subjects. The test, created by AI safety researcher Dan Hendrycks, aims to determine if AI systems can surpass human experts in answering complex questions. While current AI models performed poorly on the exam, Hendrycks predicts their scores will rise rapidly, potentially surpassing 50% by the end of the year.

The creators of a new test called “Humanity’s Last Exam” argue we may soon lose the ability to create tests hard enough for A.I. models.

Rune Fisker

If you’re looking for a new reason to be nervous about artificial intelligence, try this: Some of the smartest humans in the world are struggling to create tests that A.I. systems can’t pass.

For years, A.I. systems were measured by giving new models a variety of standardized benchmark tests. Many of these tests consisted of challenging, S.A.T.-caliber problems in areas like math, science and logic. Comparing the models’ scores over time served as a rough measure of A.I. progress.

But A.I. systems eventually got too good at those tests, so new, harder tests were created — often with the types of questions graduate students might encounter on their exams.

Those tests aren’t in good shape, either. New models from companies like OpenAI, Google and Anthropic have been getting high scores on many Ph.D.-level challenges, limiting those tests’ usefulness and leading to a chilling question: Are A.I. systems getting too smart for us to measure?

This week, researchers at the Center for AI Safety and Scale AI are releasing a possible answer to that question: A new evaluation, called “Humanity’s Last Exam,” that they claim is the hardest test ever administered to A.I. systems. 

Humanity’s Last Exam is the brainchild of Dan Hendrycks, a well-known A.I. safety researcher and director of the Center for AI Safety. (The test’s original name, “Humanity’s Last Stand,” was discarded for being overly dramatic.)

Mr. Hendrycks worked with Scale AI, an A.I. company where he is an advisor, to compile the test, which consists of roughly 3,000 multiple-choice and short answer questions designed to test A.I. systems’ abilities in areas ranging from analytic philosophy to rocket engineering.

Questions were submitted by experts in these fields, including college professors and prizewinning mathematicians, who were asked to come up with extremely difficult questions they knew the answers to. 

Here, try your hand at a question about hummingbird anatomy from the test:

Hummingbirds within Apodiformes uniquely have a bilaterally paired oval bone, a sesamoid embedded in the caudolateral portion of the expanded, cruciate aponeurosis of insertion of m. depressor caudae. How many paired tendons are supported by this sesamoid bone? Answer with a number.

Or, if physics is more your speed, try this one: 

A block is placed on a horizontal rail, along which it can slide frictionlessly. It is attached to the end of a rigid, massless rod of length R. A mass is attached at the other end. Both objects have weight W. The system is initially stationary, with the mass directly above the block. The mass is given an infinitesimal push, parallel to the rail. Assume the system is designed so that the rod can rotate through a full 360 degrees without interruption. When the rod is horizontal, it carries tension T1. When the rod is vertical again, with the mass directly below the block, it carries tension T2. (Both these quantities could be negative, which would indicate that the rod is in compression.) What is the value of (T1−T2)/W?

(I would print the answers here, but that would spoil the test for any A.I. systems being trained on this column. Also, I’m far too dumb to verify the answers myself.)

A seated man in a gray shirt poses for a photo.
Humanity’s Last Exam is the brainchild of Dan Hendrycks, an A.I. safety researcher and director of the Center for AI Safety.Guerin Blask for The New York Times

The questions on Humanity’s Last Exam went through a two-step filtering process. First, submitted questions were given to leading A.I. models to solve.

If the models couldn’t answer them (or if, in the case of multiple-choice questions, the models did worse than by random guessing), the questions were given to a set of human reviewers, who refined them and verified the correct answers. Experts who wrote top-rated questions were paid between $500 and $5,000 per question, as well as receiving credit for contributing to the exam.

Kevin Zhou, a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical particle physics at the University of California, Berkeley, submitted a handful of questions to the test. Three of his questions were chosen, all of which he told me were “along the upper range of what one might see in a graduate exam.” 

Mr. Hendrycks, who helped create a widely used A.I. test known as Massive Multitask Language Understanding, or M.M.L.U., said he was inspired to create harder A.I. tests by a conversation with Elon Musk. (Mr. Hendrycks is also a safety advisor to Mr. Musk’s A.I. company, xAI.) Mr. Musk, he said, raised concerns about the existing tests given to A.I. models, which he thought were too easy.

“Elon looked at the M.M.L.U. questions and said, ‘These are undergrad level. I want things that a world-class expert could do,’” Mr. Hendrycks said.

There are other tests trying to measure advanced A.I. capabilities in certain domains, such as FrontierMath, a test developed by Epoch AI, and ARC-AGI, a test  developed by the A.I. researcher François Chollet. 

But Humanity’s Last Exam is aimed at determining how good A.I. systems are at answering complex questions across a wide variety of academic subjects, giving us what might be thought of as a general intelligence score.

“We are trying to estimate the extent to which A.I. can automate a lot of really difficult intellectual labor,” Mr. Hendrycks said.

Once the list of questions had been compiled, the researchers gave Humanity’s Last Exam to six leading A.I. models, including Google’s Gemini 1.5 Pro and Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet. All of them failed miserably. OpenAI’s o1 system scored the highest of the bunch, with a score of 8.3 percent.

(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and its partner, Microsoft, accusing them of copyright infringement of news content related to A.I. systems. OpenAI and Microsoft have denied those claims.)

Mr. Hendrycks said he expected those scores to rise quickly, and potentially to surpass 50 percent by the end of the year. At that point, he said, A.I. systems might be considered “world-class oracles,” capable of answering questions on any topic more accurately than human experts. And we might have to look for other ways to measure A.I.’s impacts, like looking at economic data or judging whether it can make novel discoveries in areas like math and science.

“You can imagine a better version of this where we can give questions that we don’t know the answers to yet, and we’re able to verify if the model is able to help solve it for us,” said Summer Yue, Scale AI’s director of research and an organizer of the exam.

Part of what’s so confusing about A.I. progress these days is how jagged it is. We have A.I. models capable of diagnosing diseases more effectively than human doctorswinning silver medals at the International Math Olympiad and beating top human programmers on competitive coding challenges. 

But these same models sometimes struggle with basic tasks, like arithmetic or writing metered poetry. That has given them a reputation as astoundingly brilliant at some things and totally useless at others, and it has created vastly different impressions of how fast A.I. is improving, depending on whether you’re looking at the best or the worst outputs. 

That jaggedness has also made measuring these models hard. I wrote last year that we need better evaluations for A.I. systems. I still believe that. But I also believe that we need more creative methods of tracking A.I. progress that don’t rely on standardized tests, because most of what humans do — and what we fear A.I. will do better than us — can’t be captured on a written exam.

Mr. Zhou, the theoretical particle physics researcher who submitted questions to Humanity’s Last Exam, told me that while A.I. models were often impressive at answering complex questions, he didn’t consider them a threat to him and his colleagues, because their jobs involve much more than spitting out correct answers.

“There’s a big gulf between what it means to take an exam and what it means to be a practicing physicist and researcher,” he said. “Even an A.I. that can answer these questions might not be ready to help in research, which is inherently less structured.”

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Who Invented Tesla? Unveiling the Electric Car Maker | History Cooperative

Who Invented Tesla?

"While Elon Musk is often the face associated with Tesla, the story of its inception involves a tapestry of visionary minds and daring ambitions. The contributions of Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, and others who laid the foundation for a brand that challenged and transformed the automotive industry, have set new benchmarks in technology and sustainability.

Tesla, Inc., a beacon in the electric vehicle revolution, traces its origins to Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. These visionaries, often overshadowed in the history of Tesla, were the founders of Tesla Motors, setting the company’s course toward redefining the electric car landscape. Their collaboration, initiated in 2003, marked Tesla’s start as a company determined to disrupt the automotive industry.

Eberhard, an engineer, and Tarpenning, a computer wizard, bonded over a mutual desire to reduce the environmental impact of cars. This shared passion led them to establish Tesla Motors, with an initial focus on a high-performance electric vehicle. The duo envisioned a sports car that broke all electric car stereotypes, leading to the creation of the Tesla Roadster.

The first car Tesla produced, the Roadster, was a testament to their innovative spirit. This pivotal Tesla model challenged the prevailing notions of electric vehicles. With the Tesla Roadster, they proved electric cars could be exciting, high-performing, and desirable.

The journey of Tesla Motors underwent a significant change with the entrance of Elon Musk, who became the CEO of Tesla. Musk, initially an investor, played a crucial role in shaping the company’s destiny. Under Musk’s leadership, Tesla evolved rapidly, expanding its lineup with models like the Tesla Model 3.

Musk led the company’s transformation from a niche car manufacturer into a global player. His vision propelled Tesla to new heights, with the company eventually ranked as the world’s leading manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars. Elon Musk’s influence extended beyond Tesla’s automotive endeavors, encompassing a range of sustainable energy solutions.

The story of Tesla is not just about its vehicles but also about its evolution as a car manufacturer that is also a technology company. The making of Tesla under the guidance of Eberhard, Tarpenning, and Elon Musk represents a significant chapter in automotive history, showcasing the transition from traditional vehicles to sustainable, electric alternatives.

Tesla, named in honor of the inventor Nikola Tesla, continues to drive forward, embodying the spirit of innovation and sustainability that its founders envisioned.

Did Elon Musk Design Tesla?

Elon Musk, who joined Tesla after its inception, is often perceived as the sole architect of the company’s success. Although Musk became the face of Tesla, his initial role was not as its designer but as a crucial financier and visionary leader. When Musk and Tesla joined forces, Musk’s involvement significantly pivoted the company’s trajectory.

After Tesla was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, Elon Musk’s entry marked a new chapter. He provided substantial investment, leading to his appointment as Tesla CEO. Musk said his goal was to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, a vision that resonated with Tesla’s founding principles.

Musk’s leadership at Tesla began with him taking an active role in company affairs, especially in strategic decision-making and product development. His influence extended to various aspects of the business, from Tesla’s entry into the production of the Tesla Model X to expanding the Tesla factory in Fremont. Under his guidance, Tesla also started considering new ventures like the Tesla Semi.

Musk made significant contributions to shaping Tesla’s public image and strategy. His proactive approach to engaging with Tesla investors and Tesla owners through channels like Elon Musk’s tweets has been a driving force in the company’s marketing and communication efforts.

Musk took bold steps in decision-making, such as announcing plans for potentially taking Tesla private and navigating through the challenges that followed.

While Musk did not design the first Tesla car, his role in making Tesla a global brand and a leading manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars is undeniable. Musk’s stewardship has been pivotal in Tesla’s growth, leading the company to become one of the most valuable car manufacturers in the world.

His tenure as CEO of Tesla has been marked by both significant achievements and notable controversies, shaping the company into a unique entity in the automotive industry.

The Evolution of Tesla’s Electric Cars

Since Tesla was founded, its journey in revolutionizing the electric vehicle (EV) market has been marked by continuous innovation and significant milestones. Tesla began by challenging the status quo of the automotive industry, aiming to prove that electric vehicles could be as powerful and desirable as their gasoline counterparts.

The first Tesla, the Roadster, launched in 2008, became a symbol of this change. It was not just the first Tesla Roadster but also the first production car to use lithium-ion battery cells. This bold move by Tesla demonstrated its commitment to innovation, setting a new standard for EV performance and range.

Following the Roadster’s success, Tesla announced the Model S in 2012. This luxury sedan was a game-changer, offering an unprecedented combination of range, speed, and sophistication. Tesla’s Model S played a crucial role in changing public perceptions about electric cars, showcasing that they could be luxurious, high-performing, and practical.

Tesla’s strategy as both a car manufacturer and a technology company became evident with the introduction of Autopilot in 2014. This advanced driver-assistance system showcased Tesla’s commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its vehicles. The continuous updates and improvements to Autopilot demonstrate Tesla’s ability to evolve its vehicles through software, enhancing safety and driving experience.

The expansion of the Tesla lineup continued with the introduction of the Model X, an electric SUV, and the Model 3, a more affordable sedan. Tesla’s diverse range of vehicles highlighted its ambition to cater to different segments of the automotive market. The Model 3, in particular, became the top-selling plug-in car, reflecting Tesla’s growing influence in the global car market.

Tesla’s evolution in electric cars has been accompanied by an expansion in production capabilities. The Tesla factory in Fremont played a pivotal role in achieving the company’s ambitious production targets. Tesla’s approach to manufacturing, which includes a significant emphasis on automation and innovation, is reflective of its status as a leading electric car manufacturer.

Tesla’s Expansion and Other Key Players

Tesla’s growth has been more than just about manufacturing electric cars; it has ventured into various domains of sustainable energy and technology. This expansion began after Tesla was founded, showcasing the company’s ambition to be more than just a car maker. Tesla acquired SolarCity in 2016, a pivotal move into solar energy, reinforcing its commitment to renewable energy sources.

Key figures have played significant roles in Tesla’s journey. JB Straubel, former Tesla Chief Technical Officer, was instrumental in developing Tesla’s battery technology and energy storage systems. His contributions were vital in Tesla’s transition from the Roadster sports car to more advanced models.

Tesla’s collaboration with other industry giants like General Motors and partnerships for battery production and technological development have been crucial. These strategic alliances not only enhanced Tesla’s production capabilities but also fostered a culture of technological exchange.

The company’s influence on the automotive industry has been profound. As an electric car maker, Tesla not only spurred traditional automakers to develop their own EVs but also paved the way for new players in the industry. This competitive environment has led to rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology.

In terms of product expansion, Tesla also made significant strides. The introduction of energy storage solutions and solar products indicated Tesla’s broader vision for a sustainable future. These ventures complemented Tesla’s core automotive business, solidifying its reputation as a leader in both the automotive and renewable energy sectors.

Legal Battles and Controversies

Tesla’s journey, while marked by groundbreaking achievements, has also encountered its share of legal challenges and controversies. These disputes have touched on various aspects of the company’s operations, from product claims to internal practices.

A significant area of legal contention for Tesla has involved the Autopilot feature. Various incidents and accidents related to Autopilot have led to public scrutiny and legal challenges, questioning the safety and reliability of this advanced driver-assistance system. These cases have often centered around how Autopilot’s capabilities were represented to Tesla owners and the public.

READ MORE: Car Technology Innovations That Changed Driving

Tesla’s labor practices have also come under legal examination. Claims regarding the working conditions of Tesla employees have led to lawsuits and investigations. These issues have brought to light the challenges and responsibilities of Tesla as a major employer in the automotive and technology sectors.

The company has faced litigation concerning its technology and products. Disputes over Tesla’s battery packs, used in both its electric cars and energy storage solutions, have been a subject of legal scrutiny. These legal battles often revolve around patent claims and technological innovations that Tesla has pioneered in its quest to develop the first electric car with mainstream appeal.

Another notable controversy involved allegations against Ian Wright, one of Tesla’s early team members. The issue revolved around his role and contributions during the early development phase of Tesla cars. This controversy highlighted the complex dynamics within Tesla’s founding team and the disputes over credit and recognition in the company’s early days.

Tesla’s Future and Legacy

The future of Tesla, under the leadership of CEO Elon Musk, continues to shape the landscape of the automotive and energy industries. With plans to launch new models like the Cybertruck and expand into different segments, Tesla remains at the forefront of innovation. The company’s vision extends beyond the production of electric cars; it encompasses a comprehensive approach to sustainable energy.

Tesla’s legacy, deeply rooted in its history, reflects the innovative spirit of its founders, Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, and the transformative leadership of Elon Musk. Since its start, Tesla has set itself apart as not just an automaker but also as a technology and energy company.

The introduction of vehicles like the Tesla Roadster and the Tesla Model 3 marked significant milestones in the history of Tesla, changing how the world views electric vehicles.

As the first manufacturer of plug-in passenger cars, Tesla has influenced the entire automotive sector. Other manufacturers, from traditional players like General Motors to new startups, are now investing heavily in electric mobility, a shift that Tesla played a key role in initiating. This impact is a testament to Tesla’s innovative approach and its commitment to sustainability.

The legacy of Tesla’s founders and Elon Musk’s vision is evident in how the company has revolutionized transportation. From the inception of Tesla Motors, the goal has always been to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. The vehicles, from the first Tesla Roadster to the latest models, embody this mission.

Elon Musk’s influence as CEO of Tesla extends beyond automotive achievements. His forward-thinking approach has led to significant advancements in battery technology, renewable energy, and even space exploration. Musk’s leadership style and vision have not only shaped Tesla’s path but also left an indelible mark on various sectors.

Looking forward, Tesla plans to continue its innovation streak, expanding its product line and enhancing its technology. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, Tesla’s future endeavors are poised to further cement its legacy as a pioneer in the automotive and energy industries. 

Tesla Inc. continues to redefine what it means to be a modern car manufacturer, staying true to the vision of its founders and the ambitious direction of its current CEO.

Conclusion

The story of Tesla’s invention is a tapestry woven by the visions and contributions of Martin Eberhard, Marc Tarpenning, Elon Musk, and many others. From its inception as a daring idea for electric vehicles to a global powerhouse in automotive innovation, Tesla’s journey reflects a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, technological breakthroughs, and visionary leadership.

While the narrative often spotlights Musk, the collective efforts behind Tesla have fundamentally shifted the automotive landscape, championing sustainability and innovation. Tesla’s legacy, therefore, is not just the product of a single individual but a testament to collaborative ingenuity and relentless pursuit of progress."

Who Invented Tesla? Unveiling the Electric Car Maker | History Cooperative