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A massive new study scanned more than a million scientific papers for signs of artificial intelligence, and the results were overwhelming: AI is everywhere. The study, published this week in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, analyzed preprints and papers published from 2020 to 2024 by searching for some of the signature traces that AI-generated tools leave behind. While some authors deceptively using AI might slip up and leave obvious clues in the textchunks of a prompt or conspicuous phrases like regenerate response, for instancethey have become savvier and more subtle over time. In the study, the researchers created a statistical model of word frequency using snippets of abstracts and introductions written before the advent of ChatGPT and then fed them through a large language model. By comparing the texts, the researchers found hidden patterns in the AI-written text to look for, including a high frequency of specific words such as pivotal, intricate, and showcase, which arent common in human-authored science writing. Some research areas rely on AI, others dont The authors found widespread use of large language models across research topics, but some fields appeared to rely on AI much more heavily than others. In computer science abstracts, an estimated 22.5% of sentences showed evidence of AI usage, compared with 9.8% for physics papers and 7.8% for mathematics papers. We see the biggest increases in the areas that are actually closest to AI, co-author and Stanford computational biologist James Zou said. Shorter papers and papers in crowded fields of research showed more signs that they were partially written by AI. Many academic journals have added rules requiring authors to disclose the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Prominent journals including Science and Nature explicitly state that AI cannot author a paper, but AI can be used for more minor processes like copyediting and grammar. For some journals, the AI prompts used in crafting a paper must be detailed in depth in a papers methods section. If the threat of introducing hallucinations into a paper isnt enough of a deterrent, authors trying to use AI stealthily run the risk of getting called out by databases dedicated to documenting AI transgressions in research. Machines play an important role, but as tools for the people posing the hypotheses, designing the experiments, and making sense of the results, Science editor-in-chief Holden Thorp wrote in a letter on AI use in research. Ultimately, the product must come fromand be expressed bythe wonderful computer in our heads.
Category:
E-Commerce
Sweetgreen is about to make some major changes amid slumping sales. Sadly, that includes ditching its newly introduced, yet mega popular menu item: Ripple Fries. Sweetgreen’s shares dropped more than 25% Friday, after the chain slashed its full-year outlook for the second time in recent months. Back in February, the brand predicted revenue of $760 million to $780 million, before cutting projections to between $740 million and $760 million. Now, Sweetgreen says it expects revenue of between $700 million and $715 million for the 2025 calendar year. On an earnings call Thursday, CEO Jonathan Neman expressed dissatisfaction with the numbers and laid out what the recent challenges have been for the brand, citing the “convergence of several external headwinds and internal actions”. In addition to more cautious spending by consumers, Neman said that last year’s steak launch made for a “tough comparison year.” The CEO also noted that there have been issues with the company’s points-based loyalty program, which replaced its tiered subscription system in April. Neman said that while the brand saw revenue falloff as a result of the transition, he believes the impact of the loyalty program is only temporary. Still, in light of the lower than expected sales, Neman said Sweetgreen will make a number of changes such as increasing portions, adjusting recipes, additional seasonal menus, and discounted items. Specifically, he mentioned a “loyalty exclusive $13 menu bowl”. Most bowls run about $16 to $20. Farewell, fries While customers may not complain about heftier portions, or discounted bowls, one change may not be as well received. On the call, Neman said the chain needs to focus on its “core” menu items, meaning its salads. With that in mind, he announced Sweetgreen will no longer sell Ripple Fries, in spite of the fact that they were a popular menu item that “consumers love”. Earlier this year, the CEO told Fast Company about the brand’s excitement over adding Ripple Fries to the menu. Its the first time we have a truly signature side, Neman said. The other sides were fine, but now we have this staple. And theyre really addictive. Not only were the fries tasty, but they aimed to be a healthier fry, too, as they were made without seed oil and used healthier alternatives. In 2023, the brand announced it would reduce its seed oil use overall. And this year, began promoting its seed oil free menu items. In January, just before Trump took office, Neman posted a photo of himself in a “Make America Healthy Again” hat, which many interpreted as a political statement referring to RFK’s agenda. “We made these hats in 2016. Glad the long overdue discussion on food and health has gone mainstream,” he wrote. “We are on a mission to make America Healthy by connecting communities to Real Food.” While Ripple Fries were both a hit and a healthier option for those looking for a crispy side, they’re now a thing of the past, as Sweetgreen will focus on better quality salads and a better customer experience overall. According to the CEO, there is plenty of work to be done. “The fundamentals like sourcing, cooking, and throughput are there, but they’re not always delivered with the consistency our guests expect or deserve, Neman said. “Today, about one third of our restaurants are consistently operating at or above standard, while the remaining two thirds represent a meaningful opportunity for improvement.”
Category:
E-Commerce
The number of older Americans getting scammed out of their savings has exploded over the last four years. A new report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) details how scams targeting adults 60 and older have proliferated, with that demographic being three times as likely to incur losses of more than $100,000. Some people 60-plus have reported emptying their bank accounts and even clearing out their 401(k)s, the FTCs Division of Consumer Response and Operations wrote. While younger people report losing money to these impostors, too, reports of losses in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars are much more likely to be filed by older adults, and those numbers have soared. Last year, 8,269 older adults reported a loss of $10,000 or more, which is more than four times the number the FTC received in the same category in 2020. In 2024, older adults who lost $100,000 or more through a scam reported combined losses of more than $445 million, up from $55 million in 2020. Most of the scammers take a similar approach, reaching out to unsuspecting victims about a fake, time-sensitive problem that can only be resolved if they transfer moneywhich ultimately lands in the hands of these unscrupulous strangers. Those requests can be dressed up in a variety of ways, but they often rely on a phone call to kick things off, reeling the victim in with false urgency and keeping them chatting while setting up the scam. Last year, 41% of older adults who lost more than $10,000 through scams impersonating businesses or the government were ensnared with a phone call as the initial contact method. An online ad or pop-up ad, often imitating a security alert, was the first point of contact for 15% of these victims, while 13% reported an email as the initial method of contact. Even when they dont start with a call, reports show the goal is to get you on the phone, the FTC wrote. A call is still the best way to dial up the fear and the urgency so its harder for you to think clearly and check things out. What are the scams? Scams evolve constantly, but there are some consistent themes across high-loss scams that the new report highlights and says to watch out for. First, scammers often impersonate banks or major companies, such as Amazon, and claim that your account is linked to suspicious activity. Second, they might claim to be a government official and warn you that your Social Security number or another form of official identification has been used for illegal activity, like drug smuggling or money laundering. The third common approach is when fraudsters impersonate a company, like Apple or Microsoft, sending an on-screen security alert that your account has been hacked. In those attacks, the scammers provide a number for you to call, and they move the scam along after getting you on the phone. The FTC also notes that scammers often pretend to be the government agency itself, requesting that victims transfer money, put cash into Bitcoin ATMs, or even complete in-person cash handoffs. Regardless of the fake story, the goal is generally the same: to get your money, the FTC report said. Why are scams spiking now? The FTC report didnt explore the forces behind the scams, but most signs point to technology as an accelerant. AI is still a relatively new technology, but its already a powerful tool for scammers seeking to fool victims into handing over cash or personal information. With AI, scammers can smoothly impersonate the voice and even the appearance of someone you know, establishing trust easily. In one targeted attack, a Hong Kong-based finance employee transferred $25 million to scammers who posed as his companys CFO by using a deepfake video. Beyond AI, cryptocurrency remains such a major vector for fraud that the FBI launched an operation last year to reach potential victims earlybefore they empty their savings into fake investments. Some victims have reported thatprior to being notified by the FBI about the scamthey were in the process of liquidating their 401(k), selling their home, or obtaining a sizable loan, according to the FBI. In a recent FBI report on internet crime, the agency detailed how the attack surface for online scams has grown exponentially as the internet has become woven into every aspect of our lives. Scammers are increasingly using the internet to steal Americans hard-earned savings, wrote B. Chad Yarbrough, operations director of the FBI’s Criminal and Cyber Division. And with todays technology, it can take mere taps on a keyboard to hijack networks, cripple water systems, or even rob virtual exchanges. To steer clear of scams online, you can follow a few basic rules that go a long way toward keeping your money in the bank. Blocking unwanted and spam calls can help screen out some of this communication to begin with. Never send money to anyone in response to a surprise message, call, or alertacting with a sense of urgency is always to the scammer’s benefit. If you get a call out of the blue that sounds fishy, hang up and verify the source by directly contacting the person or company through official channels, not via the phone number the person provided.
Category:
E-Commerce
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