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This week: Smartwatches in school

This week: Smartwatches in school

plus ChatGPT search, Disney, AI sense of smell

Brett Bouchard
November 02, 2024

Wise Tech - Technology news for non-tech humans!

Will smartwatches to prove just as distracting as phones in school? My bet: a bit less.

1. Smartwatches in Schools: The New Cell Phone Dilemma

What’s the tech?
Smartwatches, which are small, wearable devices that can be worn like watches, have many of the same functions as smartphones. They can send messages, make calls, browse the internet, and even track health metrics.

How it's used:
Students are increasingly wearing smartwatches to school, even in places where cell phones are banned. Parents often give smartwatches to their children to stay in touch, check their location, or monitor their activity. However, schools are finding it challenging to manage these devices due to their potential for distractions or even cheating.

Why it's news now:
As more students bring smartwatches to school, educators are working to adapt existing cell phone policies to address these new devices. Balancing the benefits of staying connected with the need to keep students focused on learning is the latest challenge.

2. ChatGPT’s New Search Feature – Better Than Google?

What’s the tech?
ChatGPT (an AI-powered chatbot by OpenAI) has added a search feature that lets it find up-to-date information from the internet. This addition gives it a new edge as a search tool that answers questions in a conversational way, unlike traditional search engines.

How it's used:
When you ask ChatGPT a question, it can now search the internet to provide current information, making it more useful for answering questions about recent events or niche topics. For now, this feature is available to Plus (paid) and Enterprise (business) users, with plans to extend it to everyone soon.

Why it's news now:
The search feature expands ChatGPT’s abilities, moving it closer to being a possible alternative to popular search engines like Google. This development could change how we look for information, as ChatGPT provides direct answers instead of listing a page of results.

3. Disney’s Forms New AI Business Division

What’s the tech?
Disney has created a new business group, called the Office of Technology Enablement, focused on advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), which blends digital visuals with the real world. The team will oversee the use of these technologies across Disney’s parks, movies, and other areas.

How it's used:
This group, led by Disney’s former Chief Technology Officer, Jamie Voris, will explore and implement ways to use AI and AR in creative and responsible ways. While it starts with a small team, it’s expected to grow as Disney seeks new tech-driven experiences for audiences.

Why it's news now:
Disney’s move to create this team highlights the company’s commitment to using AI and AR to shape the future of entertainment. By investing in these areas, Disney aims to keep pace with technological advancements.

Bonus Topic: AI Can “smell” scents without human noses

What’s the tech?
Scientists have developed an AI system that can “smell” scents by analyzing data from a tool called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, which detects chemicals in samples). The AI uses this data to recognize odors by learning from thousands of molecules.

How it’s used:
This technology could help industries like perfume-making, food and beverages, and even environmental monitoring by providing a precise way to detect and classify scents. This could improve quality control and even lead to new ways to detect diseases.

Why it’s news now:
AI scent detection opens the door to applications that go beyond what human noses can sense. This could eventually help in diagnosing illnesses by detecting specific “scent markers” (indicators) related to diseases or in assessing food freshness. The potential for this technology to make our lives healthier and safer is just beginning to unfold.

Conversation Starter:
“Did you hear that AI can ‘smell’ things now? Scientists are exploring how it might even help us detect certain diseases!”