SHASS News
Despite its impressive output, generative AI doesn’t have a coherent understanding of the world
Large language models can do impressive things, like write poetry or generate viable computer programs, even though these models are trained to predict words that come next in a piece of text. Such surprising capabilities can make it seem like the models are implicitly learning some general truths about the world. But that isn’t necessarily […]
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A new focus on understanding the human element
A new MIT initiative aims to elevate human-centered research and teaching, and bring together scholars in the humanities, arts, and social sciences with their colleagues across the Institute. The MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC) launched earlier this fall. A formal kickoff event for MITHIC was held on campus Monday, Oct. 28, before a full audience in […]
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Empowering systemic racism research at MIT and beyond
At the turn of the 20th century, W.E.B. Du Bois wrote about the conditions and culture of Black people in Philadelphia, documenting also the racist attitudes and beliefs that pervaded the white society around them. He described how unequal outcomes in domains like health could be attributed not only to racist ideas, but to racism […]
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At MITHIC launch, author Min Jin Lee champions the power of human-centered storytelling
The award-winning author of “Pachinko” shared insights on her approach to writing, the importance of human connection, and how her Korean identity informs her work.
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Artist and designer Es Devlin awarded Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT
Artist and designer Es Devlin is the recipient of the 2025 Eugene McDermott Award in the Arts at MIT. The $100,000 prize, to be awarded at a gala in her honor, also includes an artist residency at MIT in spring 2025, during which Es Devlin will present her work in a lecture open to the public […]
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