Join our new study on AI and data-driven computing in UK primary classrooms

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Are you a primary school teacher in England, Scotland or Wales interested in AI and data science and how students learn about AI and data in computing?

The Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre is starting an exciting new research project investigating how to teach about AI and data in the primary computing classroom, and we would like you to get involved.

The study will look at:

  • How AI and data-driven computing is currently taught (e.g. using Machine Learning for Kids, Google’s Teachable Machine)
  • What key ideas about AI and data that young people need to understand
  • How young people make sense of working with data in computing

The study involves attending a workshop in Cambridge, co-designing a unit of work, and then teaching it. Where necessary, we can reimburse you for reasonable expenses, such as supply cover, travel, and accommodation.

A teacher assisting a young person with a coding project.

Our aim for the study is to understand how primary school teachers approach teaching about data-driven technologies, and to find suitable methods for building young people’s confidence in working with data in computing lessons.

What is data-driven computing?

Research has suggested that new data-driven technologies such as AI and machine learning (or ML) require a different approach to teaching about problem-solving in the computing classroom. Instead of defining a set of rules (e.g. if-then-else statements, or a rule-based approach), learners must instead collect lots of data to train a model (a data-driven approach) such as using Google’s Teachable Machine to classify image data.

For educators and resource developers, we still lack a clear understanding of how to teach young people about how rule-based and data-driven systems differ, how we can talk about them, and how we develop young people’ mental models. We hope this study will help us to find practical ways for primary teachers to build young people’s understanding of AI data in the primary computing classroom.

What does the study involve?

If you teach at primary level (Years 4, 5 and 6 or P5–P7) in England, Scotland or Wales and are keen to shape how we teach young people about data-driven computing, we invite you to join our new study.

As part of the study, you will attend a workshop with us in Cambridge to co-design a series of data-driven computing lessons to teach in your classroom.

A young learners in the classroom

Following the workshop, you will teach the unit of work in your classroom and we will observe one of your lessons and interview you about your experiences.

How can I take part?

If you are interested in taking part, register your interest by clicking the link below:

If you have any questions about the project, you can email bobby.whyte@raspberrypi.org.

The post Join our new study on AI and data-driven computing in UK primary classrooms appeared first on Raspberry Pi Foundation.

New Raspberry Pi 4 Model Splits RAM Across Dual Chips

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The blog OMG Ubuntu reports that a new version of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been (quietly) introduced. “The key difference? It now uses a dual-RAM configuration.”

The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (PCB 13a) adopts a dual-RAM configuration to ‘improve supply chain flexibility’ and manufacturing efficiency, per a company product change notice document. Earlier versions of the Raspberry Pi 4 use a single RAM chip on the top of the board. The new revision adds a second LPDDR4 chip to the underside, with a couple of passive components also moved over… In moving to a dual-chip layout, Raspberry Pi can combine two smaller — and marginally cheaper — modules to hit the same RAM totals amidst fluctuating component costs…

This change will not impact performance (for better or worse). The Broadcom BCM2711 SoC has a 32-bit wide memory interface so the bandwidth stays identical; this is not doubling the memory bus, it’s just a physical split, not a logical one. Plus, the new board is fully compatible with existing official accessories, HATs and add-ons. All operating systems that support the Pi 4 will work, but as the memory setup is different a new version of the boot-loader will need to be flashed first.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

EU warns Meta over blocking rival AI chatbots on WhatsApp

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The EU could take “interim measures” against WhatsApp as it investigates AI providers’ access to the app. On Monday, the EU’s regulatory arm announced its “preliminary view” that Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, violated antitrust laws by blocking third-party AI assistants from operating on WhatsApp. 

The European Commission’s is concerned that Meta’s actions will limit competitors from entering the AI assistant market. “We must protect effective competition in this vibrant field, which means we cannot allow dominant tech companies to illegally leverage their dominance to give themselves an unfair advantage,” Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition said in a statement. 

Ribera continued: “AI markets are developing at rapid pace, so we also need to be swift in our action. That is why we are considering quickly imposing interim measures on Meta, to preserve access for competitors to WhatsApp while the investigation is ongoing, and avoid Meta’s new policy irreparably harming competition in Europe.” 

The issue arose in October when Meta announced updates to its WhatsApp Business Solution Terms. According to the European Commission, the January 15 update would “effectively” make Meta AI the only AI assistant available on WhatsApp. The regulatory agency opened an investigation into the matter on December 4. 

Today’s update stands as a warning to Meta that the European Commission initially believes the company has violated antitrust regulation. A final decision is still to come. It also gave Meta a chance to respond to the allegations — which it swiftly did. 

“The facts are ‍that there is no reason for the EU to ​intervene in the WhatsApp ‌Business API,” a Meta spokesperson told Reuters. “There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating ⁠systems, devices, websites, ​and industry ​partnerships.” 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-warns-meta-over-blocking-rival-ai-chatbots-on-whatsapp-121708895.html?src=rss

You can now be coached by Bradley Wiggins from £5 per month – or at least an AI version of him 

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Artificial intelligence has become an almost inescapable technology, including in sport. From Whoop to Strava, AI appears to be taking over how we train, rest and recover. But few of these high-tech developments come with the celebrity cachet of the new The Coachsters app revealed by Bradley Wiggins on Monday morning.

The app has partnered with Wiggins, alongside other famous athletes, to bring you the “insights and stories they’ve never shared publicly before” to aid you with all aspects of your training via a “custom-built AI technology”. 

“After months of work – and countless hours of deep interviews – I’m really proud to finally share my new coaching app,” Wiggins said in an Instagram post. 

“Working with the team at The Coachsters, we’ve captured thinking, experiences and lessons that I’ve never shared publicly before, and shaped them into something athletes can access whenever they need it.”

“This app is about the conversations I believe more athletes should be having: how to train with intent, how to deal with pressure and expectation, how to handle setbacks, and how to think clearly about performance, identity, and life in sport – not just the good days, but the difficult ones too.

“You can ask the app any question you’d ask me in person and receive an answer drawn directly from my own experience,” his post continued. 

Alongside Wiggins, The Coachsters has worked with a range of other athletes. Rower Steve Redgrave, former England cricket captain Alastair Cook and cycling Paralympian Sarah Storey are all available as mentors. You can also use the app to access the insights of exercise physiologist professor Greg Whyte and dancing coach Katya Jones, with more coaches to come.

The app has three subscription options available. The Lite subscription costs £5 per month, billed yearly, and grants you three questions and answers each month from one coach. The £22 Pro subscription provides unlimited questions and answers from one coach, while the £39 Elite subscription adds group webcasts with your coach and access to exclusive interviews. 

Light Bicycle’s new XC wheelset proves 32in wheels don’t have to be heavy

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Light Bicycle has announced a new 32in wheelset designed for cross-country mountain bikes.

Jumping on board the fast-growing trend, the Chinese brand says the Anax32 XC wheelset brings “ultra-light construction and full custom build options” to the emerging category.

Built with hookless carbon rims, claimed to weigh 380g each, Light Bicycle says complete wheelsets are comparable in weight to “modern 29in race wheelsets”, while “offering the momentum and obstacle-clearing benefits” of a larger rim diameter.

Available with an array of hub options from popular brands, prices for the Light Bicycle Anax32 XC wheelset start at $1,464.20 (roughly £1,075 / €1,235 at today’s conversion rates).

Why go bigger?

Lightbicycle Anax32 XC wheel vs 29in wheel
Light Bicycle’s Anax32 XC wheel vs a 29in wheel. Lightbicycle

According to Light Bicycle, the primary advantages of sizing up to 32in rims are primarily that they make it easier to maintain your momentum, especially when riding over obstacles.

In theory, this means less effort is required to roll over rocks, roots and other obstacles on a trail, while Light Bicycle says “trail feedback” is also smoothed out, for a more comfortable ride on rough surfaces.

It also says they offer a larger contact patch when paired with 2.4in mountain bike tyres, which it says offers increased grip and “more predictable, stable handling on any surface”.

Lastly, the brand says they offer a “proportional aesthetic” for cyclists taller than 6ft / 183cm, and the ability to make bikes with “more balanced geometry”.

Big, but not heavy

Lightbicycle Anax32 XC wheels
Light Bicycle says its new 32in wheels avoid the issue of adding too much rotational weight to your bike. Lightbicycle

Key to Light Bicycle’s pitch for the Anax32 XC wheels, is they avoid the pitfall of being heavy and adding too much rotational weight compared to 29in wheels.

The brand says it has used “premium materials, an optimised layup and engineering excellence” to make rims that weigh only 380g each.

A ‘heavy duty’ version, which boosts the rider weight limit from 130 to 150kg is also available, with a claimed weight of 420g per rim.

Both types of rim share the same dimensions, with a 28mm depth, 36mm external width and 30mm internal width.

Lightbicycle Anax32 XC wheels
The Anax32 XC rims are claimed to weigh as little as 380g each. Lightbicycle

In comparison, Light Bicycle’s own 29in Helios XC930 rim, which is claimed to be “the lightest in its class”, is said to weigh 245g (albeit, with a shallower, 22mm rim depth).

In terms of complete wheelset weights, the Anax32 XCs are claimed to weigh as little as 1,499g with DT Swiss 240 EXP hubs and aluminium spoke nipples, compared to 1,115g for the 29in Helios XC930 wheelset with the same hubs and nipples.

That said, a provided product photo shows an Anax32 XC wheelset weighing 1,656g with DT Swiss 240 hubs.

Lightbicycle Anax32 XC wheels
The provided shot of the Anax32 XC wheels on a scale shows a weight of 1,656g.

Either way, 1,656g would still be impressively light for its size, given it’s comparable to slightly less exotic 29in options, such as Hunt’s 1,506g Proven Carbon Race XC wheelset.

Of course, there’s also the impact of tyre weight to consider, given 32in tyres also use more material relative to equivalent 29in versions.

Nevertheless, this latest launch will be encouraging to those who believe we’re on the cusp of a 32in wheel revolution in mountain and gravel cycling.

A Lance Armstrong biopic is in the works – and it has his approval

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A major Lance Armstrong biopic is in the works with a star-studded team behind it, and the infamous cyclist’s official blessing. 

The film package prompted a “frenzied bidding war”, according to Deadline, with offers from several major studios.

Oscar-nominated Austin Butler is set to play Armstrong. Butler received a best actor nomination for his role in Elvis. Conclave’s Edward Berger is set to direct, and King Richard’s Zach Baylin is writing the script. 

Producer Scott Stuber, who has just worked on Bruce Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, has been working to secure Armstrong’s life rights, and following discussions over a long period, a deal was made. 

Deadline reports that Stuber made it clear to Armstrong that “they needed to tell everything or he didn’t want to do the film”.  

Armstrong survived cancer before winning the Tour de France for seven consecutive years from 1998–2005. A doping investigation found Armstrong to have used performance-enhancing drugs and saw him stripped of his titles in 2012. He received a lifetime ban from the sport, and later admitted to blood doping. 

The American’s story was told in the 2015 movie The Program, based on David Walsh’s book Seven Deadly Sins and starring Ben Foster as Armstrong. 

Armstrong was not part of The Program, but this time around Baylin is reportedly talking to the disgraced cyclist and has spent time with people in his life.

The film is intended to be a cross between F1 The Movie and The Wolf of Wall Street. 

Last year, it was also revealed that Armstrong will narrate a documentary on the history of Schwinn Bicycles.  

Lyft rolls out teen accounts with enhanced safety protections

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Lyft has officially introduced teen accounts for ages 13 to 17. This is a rideshare feature in which teenagers can request their own rides, which is similar to Uber’s pre-existing platform.

Teens request the rides on their own, but parents can keep an eye on things every step of the way. Lyft says that parents or guardians can see every ride in real time and manage the account. They also get updates at pickup and drop-off and the app allows communication with the driver when needed.

This is a rideshare service for teens, so there are several new safety features. The drivers must “meet the highest standards” on the platform. Lyft says they get annual background checks and must have “proven safe driving records, positive passenger interactions and experience behind the wheel.”

The teens have to enter a PIN to ensure the correct rider gets in the car, which is something Lyft has been experimenting with for adults. Audio recording of the ride is on by default, for an added layer of safety.

Lyft Teen is available right now, though not everywhere. The company has launched the platform in 200 markets, including New York City, Chicago, Atlanta and Miami, among others. It’s coming to more cities as the year winds on.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/lyft-rolls-out-teen-accounts-with-enhanced-safety-protections-110002761.html?src=rss

YouTube Music starts limiting lyrics for free users

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YouTube Music has started putting lyrics — a previously free feature introduced in 2020 — behind a paywall, according to multiple users and 9to5Google. In the latest update, the “Lyrics” tab in the Now Playing screen displays a warning message: “You have [x] views remaining. Unlock lyrics with Premium.” Free users get lyrics for five songs, then after that, will only see a few lines before the rest of the song is blurred.

Google has been testing the feature since at least September with a limited number of users, according to previous reports. It’s been speculated that YouTube may have made the change to recuperate costs spent with lyric aggregators like Musixmatch. Spotify also put lyrics behind its Premium paywall in 2024, but a user backlash forced it to reinstate the feature for free users.

Google has yet to confirm the change, and while it appears to be a larger rollout, the feature change could still be in testing. YouTube Music’s Premium subscription costs $10.99 in the US with ad-free playback, offline downloads, AI features and more — the same as its main rivals Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/youtube-music-starts-limiting-lyrics-for-free-users-101258311.html?src=rss

SpaceX Prioritizes Lunar ‘Self-Growing City’ Over Mars Project, Musk Says

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“Elon Musk said on Sunday that SpaceX has shifted its focus to building a ‘self-growing city’ on the moon,” reports Reuters, “which could be achieved in less than 10 years.”

SpaceX still intends to start on Musk’s long-held ambition of a city on Mars within five to seven years, he wrote on his X social media platform, “but the overriding priority is securing the future of civilization and the Moon is faster.”

Musk’s comments echo a Wall Street Journal report on Friday, stating that SpaceX has told investors it would prioritize going to the moon and attempt a trip to Mars at a later time, targeting March 2027 for an uncrewed lunar landing. As recently as last year, Musk said that he aimed to send an uncrewed mission to Mars by the end of 2026.


Read more of this story at Slashdot.

National Football League Launches Challenge to Improve Facemasks and Reduce Concussions

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As Super Bowl Sunday comes to a close, America’s National Football League “is challenging innovators to improve the facemask on football helmets to reduce concussions in the game,” reports the Associated Press:

The league announced on Friday at an innovation summit for the Super Bowl the next round in the HealthTECH Challenge series, a crowdsourced competition designed to accelerate the development of cutting-edge football helmets and new standards for player safety. The challenge invites inventors, engineers, startups, academic teams and established companies to improve the impact protection and design of football helmets through improvements to how facemasks absorb and reduce the effects of contact on the field…

Most progress on helmet safety has come from improvements to the shell and padding, helping to reduce the overall rate of concussions. Working with the helmet industry, the league has brought in position-specific helmets, with those for quarterbacks, for example, having more padding in the back after data showed most concussions for QBs came when the back of the head slammed to the turf. But the facemask has mostly remained the same. This past season, 44% of in-game concussions resulted from impact to the player’s facemask, up from 29% in 2015, according to data gathered by the NFL. “What we haven’t seen over that period of time are any changes of any note to the facemask,” [said Jeff Miller, the NFL’s executive vice president overseeing player health and safety]… “Now we see, given the changes in our concussion numbers and injuries to players, that as changes are made to the helmet, fewer and fewer concussions are caused by hits to the shell, and more and more concussions as a percentage are by hits to the facemask…”

Selected winners will receive up to $100,000 in aggregate funding, as well as expert development support to help move their concepts from the lab to the playing field.
Winners will be announced in August, according to the article, “and Miller said he expected helmet manufacturers to start implementing any improvements into helmets soon after that.”


Read more of this story at Slashdot.