One concern with inserting language around deservingness is that these GenAI models reproduce tropes of personal deservingness to the exclusion of structural causes of need. Deepseek would also not revise a campaign for a person with HIV, further demonstrating how GenAI shapes these narratives.
New publication - We examined how generative AI modifies crowdfunding campaigns. One noteworthy finding - the models we tested tended to add normative language to the campaigns, particularly around the deservingness of the recipient.
""Until 2023, most of our applications were for Canada," says Shobhit Anand, who runs the consultancy, which helps students navigate the admission process, including visa applications. "People don't want to apply to Canada anymore. We are also seeing a very high visa rejection rate.""
New publication - We examined how generative AI modifies crowdfunding campaigns. One noteworthy finding - the models we tested tended to add normative language to the campaigns, particularly around the deservingness of the recipient.
Science Meets Parliament is returning to Ottawa!
Apply now to join the 2026 cohort - this is a one-of-a-kind experience to engage with policymakers about science and research!
Deadline: May 11, 2026
Register: sciencepolicy.ca/programs/sci...
The number of 7-year-olds fully vaccinated against measles has dropped to 70% in B.C., down sharply from 90% a decade ago, a CBC News analysis found, by @cbctara.bsky.social www.cbc.ca/news/canada/... via @cbcnews.ca
Great article from @naomibethune.bsky.social in @prospect.org on how far right causes use crowdfunding to fund their operations. Crowdfunding also serves as a kickback for viral behaviour and causes that are picked up by right wing politicians and media to motivate 'rage giving'.
The ad is live! www.ugajobsearch.com/hr/postings/...
Notice the quick turnaround (May 1). Let me know if you have any questions!
For your viewing pleasure: A monkey stealing and eating coins donated to a Buddhist temple in Thailand while another monkey pulls on their tail.
@gofundme.com is introducing an "AI-powered smart fundraising coach" that will help users in "crafting their story". They say this will create "meaningful functional and emotional benefits" resulting in "an additional $125 million in help raised this year in the U.S."
LOL, YUP! I read that telephone survey and I talked about it on the Glossy Beauty podcast.
It's not a study. It's a clinic who called their customers and asked, "Hey, that thing you paid for... are you happy with it?"
Why are the American arms of Canadian companies making political donations to election deniers in the U.S.? Today's story from @carlypenrose.bsky.social raises some serious questions. theijf.org/article/cana...
NEW: I and colleagues reviewed 15,000 documents to illuminate how Jeffrey Epstein used VIP doctors to control and manipulate young women* — and how the doctors helped him, treating his needs as more important than the patients'. Gift link.
*see next post in thread
Some First Nations canceling non-emergency travel to Vancouver for medical treatment during World Cup due to high hotel prices: "we're hoping that ...we will all be able to have access to hotel rooms when our emergency clients need them.”
New: OpenAI says it has made changes that would refer Tumbler Ridge shooter's ChatGPT interactions to law enforcement if they happened today. Also reveals that shooter used a second account after being banned in June 2025.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
I think this is probably my first time being quoted in the entertainment section of the CBC! Really interesting discussion of ethical issues related to crowdfunding campaigns for celebrities. Focus is on James Van Der Beek and Eric Dane but relevant to the wider issues of inequities in crowdfunding.
EBY: "I'm actually quite angry about what happened here. I sat at a table with a dad who lost a kid who walked me through the last moments of his child's life. He changed me forever ... And I want to share that with OpenAI. From the outside it looks like they had a chance to prevent this."
OpenAI met with BC's Minister of State for AI and New Technologies the day of the Tumbler Ridge shooting and a rep from the premier's office the day after
Premier Eby told reporters the meetings were to discuss regulatory issues and OpenAI possibly setting up an office in BC #bcpoli
If universities/colleges/schools etc. do not make it a serious disciplinary offence for students to use their logins like this, then they might as well stop offering credentials. Tbh, we are reaching the point where we we'll have to choose between credentials & edtech anyway.
We're hiring in AI ethics.
Assessment of applications will begin on March 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
careers.uoguelph.ca/job/Guelph-A...
"Some employees interpreted Van Rootselaar’s writings as an indication of potential real-world violence, and urged leaders to alert Canadian law enforcement about her behavior, the people familiar with the matter said. OpenAI leaders ultimately decided not to contact authorities."
UBC profs sue over land acknowledgements, diversity statements. Case focuses on the "University Act, which mandates that universities be “nonsectarian and nonpolitical in principle.” But the law does little to clarify the bigger question before the court: What counts as political?"
Post-secondary sector will receive $394 million more in annual funding over the next three years.
""modest increase" is driven by general inflation impacting operating costs and ongoing infrastructure projects including student housing and the new medical school at Simon Fraser University"
I just did the dumbest thing of my entire career to prove a much more serious point.
I tricked ChatGPT and Google, and made them tell other users I’m a competitive hot-dog-eating world champion
People are using this trick on a massive scale to make AI tell you lies. I’ll explain how I did it
The picture that's emerging is one of absolute tragedy for the young victims, a teacher, the shooter and her family.
There are unresolved questions here about why/how the guns were returned and what mental health supports were available for a deeply troubled teen.
The director-general of the WHO said a U.S.-funded study of the hepatitis B vaccine in Guinea-Bissau would be “unethical” if it proceeds as planned. www.statnews.com/2026/02/11/h...
About half of Canadians are turning to AI for health information, and those who do are five times more likely to report experiencing harms to their health compared to those who don’t, survey says, by Jennifer Yang www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic... via @theglobeandmail.com @cmadocs.bsky.social
