Latest news with #February2023
CNET
2 days ago
- CNET
How to Ask Questions Using AI Chatbots
Every single day, multiple random questions pop into my mind. They range from simple curiosities to existential explorations, and Google doesn't always have the answers I'm looking for. These days, you have to sift through SEO rankings, ads and common search terms to pick the most appropriate reference on the search engine -- or keep refining your search over and over until it understands get what you're looking for. Search results also change with your region, and Google often can't answer my specific questions. It presents a lot of information and leaves it up to me to contextualize it all. Enter artificial intelligence -- the new version of "just Google it." AI chatbots are built for question and answer conversations. Microsoft's Copilot has access to the internet, so I use it to chat and go through the links it provides whenever I ask it anything. Copilot came out in February 2023. GPT-4 Turbo, the OpenAI model that powers Copilot, is available with the free version. Copilot Pro costs $20 a month, but it's not necessary for lightweight daily searching -- you can probably just use the free version to get the answers you need. Here's how to use AI to find the answers to your questions. Tips when asking questions to AI chatbots Think of the range of questions and ideas that pop into your mind every day. Questions about weather, geography, historical events, people, movies, health, food and life. Just look at your Google search history if you want to see the possibilities of what you can ask AI. Then use these tips below to get the best answers possible. Be specific As with all AI tools, the answers are only as clear as the questions you put in. You also need to be aware of errors and a bias to believe what AI produces. It's good practice to always check the sources, especially if you're using the information to make decisions. Be concise Use your first prompt as a jumping-off point, and ask it a concise question to see what it comes back with. That'll help you with what to refine in your next prompt. Add context Some answers will be simple and straightforward, while others will require more prodding and context. As you're chatting with the AI tool, you'll get a feel for how far to push it. If its answers are a little too vague or far-reaching, you can use your follow-up prompts to hone in on what you really want to know by adding as much context as you can. Use natural language Converse with your chosen AI tool in the same way you would talk to a person, or the way you'd message a friend. You don't need to use formal language (or even be polite, unless you can't help adding "please" and "thank you" like me). Structure questions effectively If your question gets too convoluted, AI chatbots can get confused about what part to answer first, or which part of the prompt goes with which. Keep it straightforward, and if you've got multiple parts to your query, then frame it like "first X, then Y." Or just ask it one question at a time, and continue responding with more parts to your question until you've got the entire answer. You can read more about the art of writing AI prompts for chatbots and image generators on CNET's AI tips page. Microsoft What to avoid when asking AI chatbots questions Here are some common pitfalls when using a chatbot: Being too vague Unless you get specific with your question, a chatbot could spit any info back at you -- including wrong answers. If the answer sounds a little funky, re-read what you asked in the first place and go back to refining your prompt. Not double checking AI tools have the bad habit of hallucinating (i.e., making up the answer based on scraping some weird part of the web) or drawing information from not-so-credible sources. If you're taking AI at its word and making an important decision based on the info it gives you, make sure to double check that information. Sharing too much personal information Never give an AI tool any information that's personally identifiable or private -- no banking information, no family details, no private health data and definitely no credit card or social security numbers. Data breaches are on the rise, so be very wary about sharing anything personal online. Get answers, not ads Using all of the above tips, this is how one of my Q&A sessions with Copilot went. I started off with a vague concept in my head, but knew I had to refine it. For example, asking what movies Leonardo DiCaprio is in is different than asking what movies are similar to one you liked that Leo starred in. Copilot then gave me DiCaprio's most notable films, but I wanted the full list of movies. I also asked for it without graphics, to keep the conversation clean. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET It gave me the rest of the (post-2000) list, too, and I liked how it bolded the movies with critical acclaim. From there, I could take the conversation in any direction. I could ask if any of my favorites in the list share the same director, request links for reviews and analysis, ask which movie finally earned him an Oscar and see what other movies are similar to the ones I love. Copilot also auto-generates follow-up prompt ideas, in case you're in the mood to go down a rabbit hole. Like "Tell me more about Killers of the Flower Moon," "What awards has Leonardo DiCaprio won?" and "Do you have any fun facts about Leonardo DiCaprio?" The Wolf of Wall Street is a stand-out, so let's use that example to learn more about similar, non-DiCaprio movies. It gave me a pretty good list, but it did suggest a movie with DiCaprio in it even though I specified not to. Dallas Buyers Club, The Big Short and The Social Network were good suggestions with high-stake plots and complex characters. Copilot is handy because it also adds clickable links in the answers -- so you can click to verify yourself that AI hasn't hallucinated. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET You can keep going with these Q&As. I asked Copilot which directors are inspired by Scorsese and it generated a list with two names I recognized: Quentin Tarantino and Christopher Nolan. Looking into their bodies of work could be a follow-up prompt. Can you ask medical questions? We all turn to "Dr. Google" for health questions. It's not to be relied on, as it often goes straight to anxiety-inducing, worst-case scenarios. While AI is trained on current information across the internet, it might help you narrow in on potential answers to more general health, less individualized questions with a clear prompt, pre-doctor visit. For example, if you're having digestive issues, you might ask Copilot about foods to avoid. You could also use it proactively, like for calculating your ideal daily calorie intake. You could even ask it to provide the latest research or best-ranking articles on a certain health topic or for answers to quick questions, like when women should start getting yearly mammograms, and why you may feel more nauseous around your period. Screenshot by Amanda Smith/CNET But always double-check AI's advice with your doctor. AI's answers should not be taken as fact or in place of professional medical advice. AI tools are a quick way to get information to help answer your questions. Just like you don't get your answers from the first Google search, the same goes for AI. It's an iterative process, with each prompt getting you closer to clarity. But again, for the final answer, your doctor is the one to consult -- especially as health advice and diagnoses are completely personal and depend on the individual.
Reuters
23-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
More California bar examinees wrongly told they failed, state bar says
May 23 (Reuters) - Nine more people who were initially told they failed California's troubled February bar exam actually passed, the State Bar of California said in an email, opens new tab sent to test takers on Thursday, which Reuters reviewed. Those errors were in addition to the four test takers whose status changed from fail to pass last week after scoring and grading problems were identified. The mounting number of scoring mistakes is the latest problem to arise from the February test, which was marred by widespread technical and logistical problems including computer crashes and distracting proctors. The February exam was the debut of California's hybrid remote and in-person test without the components of the national bar exam the state has used for decades — a change that was intended to save as much as $3.8 million annually. But addressing all its problems for the July exam is now expected to add nearly $6 million in costs. The February exam had a 56% overall pass rate — far higher than the historical average of 35% — after the California Supreme Court allowed the state bar to implement a lower raw passing score because of all the exam's problems. But many examinees have raised concerns over how their exams were graded and scored. The state bar has sued testing platform Meazure Learning over the many tech problems, as have at least two groups of test takers. Meazure has said the state bar is trying to "shift the blame" for the flawed rollout of the test. State Bar Executive Director Leah Wilson has said she will step down in July, citing the botched rollout of the new exam. During a state bar board of trustees meeting on Friday, Wilson said criticism of her handling of the bar exam is "appropriate and deserved" and that she will continue to address the problems through her last day on the job. Read more: California bar exam-takers were told they failed. Oops, they passed. California scraps new bar exam for July, adjusts scores on botched February test
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kellie Pickler slammed as 'callous' by in-laws amid legal battle after husband's death
Kellie Pickler continues to have a contentious relationship with parents-in-law Sharon and Reed Jacobs two years after her husband Kyle Jacobs' death. The trio have been embroiled in a battle over the late singer's property ever since he died by suicide at age 49 in February 2023. 'It is difficult to know how to respond once again to the latest vitriol in [Kellie's court filing],' the couple's attorney wrote in a court filing on Monday, May 12, per documents reviewed by Us Weekly. In the wake of Kyle's death his parents were made administrators of his estate after Pickler declined the role. The lawyer claimed the 38-year-old widow has made it a challenge to get anything done since his passing. The Jacobs filed a petition in August 2024 asking the court to intervene as they tried to get Kyle's remaining property from Pickler, with the former American Idol contestant claiming there was a 'dispute' over the property in question. In the May 2025 filing, the Jacobs' attorney wrote, 'To suggest that his parents' actions here could be perceived as anything other than an effort to bring his sad chapter (the probate process) to a speedy close is shockingly callous and lacking in empathy.' Furthermore, the lawyer asked the court to acknowledge Pickler's 'continued invective in suggesting that [Reed and Sharon] would utilize the judicial process in such a way that serves only to prolong their suffering and anguish.' It was also stated, '[Kellie] has taken what should have been a simple matter and turned it into a highly personal crucible, painting herself as the tragic victim.' In March 2025 Kellie's in-laws issued a subpoena to Harpeth Memorial Gardens Funeral Home & Cremation Center in order to gain more information on his funeral and cremation. They also requested that the funeral home provide details regarding 'what items, if any, were cremated' with their late son as well as 'documents pertaining to the services provided on behalf of Kyle.' However, they claimed the company neither comply nor objected to the subpoena. The Jacobs family's conflict with Pickler started in May 2023 after she turned over inventory of Kyle's property but then allegedly stopped cooperating. 'Over the course of the ensuing twelve months, [Reed and Sharon] attempted informally to recover those items through discussions with [Kellie] and her counsel; those efforts, however, had limited success,' their lawyer explained in the latest documents. Sharon and Reed also said Pickler 'agreed to turn over several items but had not done so. In addition, as to at least some of the items, [Kellie] admitted having them but subsequently maintained she could not find them.' They later accused Pickler of forbidding them to enter the home she shared with their son prior to his death, noting that she let them in once after his death but subsequently kept them from coming on the premises. 'Instead, on two subsequent occasions, [Kellie] insisted she would have items of personal property moved to the home's garage, for subsequent pickup by [Reed and Sharon] under supervision arranged by [Kellie],' their attorney shared. 'On the first such occasion, [Kellie] forbade [Sharon] from being on the property.' Sharon and Reed said that Pickler provided additional items after the subpoena was issued, but added that they have since come to an 'impasse.' In May 2024 Pickler sold the marital home she and Kyle shared for $2.3 million. And she recently requested that Reed and Sharon be removed as administrators of Kyle's estate. Additionally, she asked to be named the sole heir and beneficiary of Kyle's estate by the court, although Sharon and Reed wish to remain administrators. The court has yet to rule on the case.
Sky News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
US singer Chris Brown charged with GBH
Singer Chris Brown has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent in connection with a 2023 incident in London. In a statement Metropolitan Police said: "He remains in custody and will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court at 10:00hrs on Friday, 16 May. "The charge relates to an assault, which reportedly took place at a venue in Hanover Square in London, on Sunday, 19 February 2023." Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Wall Street Journal
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
Jake Shane Is Best Friends With Big Celebrities. Now He's Ready to Be a Star.
In a 15-second clip, Jake Shane stands before the camera wearing a black hoodie, having a conversation with the air. 'Nope, I literally didn't do that,' he says, playing a defiantly blasé 1998 Bill Clinton. 'Nope, 'cause I'm the president.' Within weeks, the simple video, posted in February 2023, racked up millions of views, kicked off a new style of TikTok comedy and set Shane, then an assistant at an indie record label, on a completely different career path.
