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CNBC
3 days ago
- Science
- CNBC
Harvard-trained educator: Kids who learn how to use AI will become smarter adults—if they avoid this No. 1 mistake
Students that copy and paste ChatGPT answers into their assignments, with little thinking involved, are doing themselves a disservice — especially because artificial intelligence really can help students become better learners, according to psychologist and author Angela Duckworth. Instead of distrusting AI, show kids how to properly use it, Duckworth advised in a speech at the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education commencement ceremony on May 17. Teachers and parents alike can show them how to use the technology's full potential by asking AI models follow-up questions, so they can learn — in detail — how chatbots came to their conclusions, she said. "AI isn't always a crutch, it can also be a coach," said Duckworth, who studied neurobiology at Harvard University and now teaches psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. "In my view, [ChatGPT] has a hidden pedagogical superpower. It can teach by example." Duckworth was skeptical about AI until she found herself stumped by a statistics concept, and in the interest of saving time, asked ChatGPT for help, she said. The chatbot gave her a definition of the concept, a couple of examples and some common misuses. Wanting clarification, she asked follow-up questions and for a demonstration, she said. After 10 minutes of using the technology, she walked away with a clear understanding of the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure, "a pretty sophisticated statistical procedure," she said. "AI helped me reach a level of understanding that far exceed what I could achieve on my own," said most advanced generative AI models suffer from hallucinations and factual inaccuracies, data shows — meaning you should always double check its factual claims, and teach kids to do the same. The topic of "how to use AI" should even find its way into school curricula, billionaire entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban similarly suggested in a New York magazine interview, which published on Tuesday. "The challenge isn't that kids are using it. The challenge is that schools haven't adapted to the that it's available and kids are literate in using it," Cuban said, adding that simply knowing what questions to ask AI is a valuable skillset. Since AI tools do make mistakes, you can likely benefit most directly by using them for tasks that don't involve your final product, side hustle expert Kathy Kristof told CNBC Make It in February. You might, for example, ask a chatbot to create a bullet-point outline for your next writing project — rather than asking it to write the final draft for you. "While I still see AI making a lot of mistakes, picking up errors or outdated information, using AI to create a first draft of something that's then reviewed and edited by human intelligence seems like a no-brainer," said Kristof, founder of the blog. A recent study, conducted by one of Duckworth's doctorate students, followed participants — some of whom were allowed to use chatbots — as they practiced writing cover letters. When later asked to write a cover letter without any assistance, the group that had used AI produced stronger letters on their own, the research shows. The study, published in January, has not yet been peer-reviewed. "Over and over, I watched [ChatGPT] shorten sentences that were too long, weed out needless repetition and even reorder ideas so they flowed more logically," Duckworth said, referencing the research. ,
CNBC
30-04-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Here's what experts say about selling gold jewelry for cash
Gold prices have been on a tear, and with that comes an opportunity, at least for anyone with estate jewelry tucked away. "We're seeing an increasing number of people — mostly regular individuals and families, not investors — selling or melting old jewelry to access quick cash while the market is strong," said Tim Schmidt, the founder of Gold IRA Custodians, an online resource for buying gold. "For some, it's a way to cover urgent expenses; for others, it's an opportunity to capitalize on long-forgotten pieces that have suddenly become far more valuable than they were just months ago," Schmidt said. More from Personal Finance:International vs. U.S. stocks: what experts are sayingTrump-fueled backlash 'intensified' flight from ESG fundsWhat typically happens to stocks after high volatility The recent surge in gold prices is pushing more people to consider unloading their family heirlooms and other valuables, which can be melted for cash, according to Schmidt. Spot gold prices hit an all-time high above $3,500 per ounce last week. The record follows a barrage of tariffs announced by President Donald Trump in April, fueling concern that a global trade war will push the U.S. economy into recession. One year ago, prices were about $2,200 to $2,300 an ounce. As of Wednesday morning, gold futures prices were up about 23% year-to-date and 36% higher compared to the price a year ago. "Gold tends to trade on fear, and we have a lot of fear in the markets right now," said Kathy Kristof, a personal finance expert and founder of "If you can find a moment when people are the most fearful, that's an ideal time to sell your gold," she said. "Strike while the iron is hot." Many consumers who hold physical gold — such as higher-karat jewelry, bars and coins — view it as "financial insurance," said Jordan Roy-Byrne, founder of The Daily Gold, an online resource for gold, silver and mining stocks. "Gold is reassuring," Schmidt explained. "It offers something tangible, dependable, and easily liquidated when times get tough." One downside of selling physical gold is traditionally high trading costs — and those costs are typically not transparent, Kristof said. Consumers should check the spot price of gold online before hawking their gold at a pawn shop or online marketplace like Alloy or Express Gold Cash, Kristof said. Sellers can use the spot price to get a rough sense of what their gold is worth, if they know its weight and purity, to sense if they're being ripped off, Kristof said. (Keep in mind: 24-karat gold is pure gold; an 18-karat piece is 75% gold and 25% other metals.) "Do the math before you even go," she said. "Fools get creamed." Price comparisons and deal shopping are "always wise" moves for consumers, Kristof added. "It is a competitive marketplace," she said. "You can get a better deal." Some experts say prices may have topped out, but others think there is still room to run. "My view is that gold hit an interim peak, which should hold up at least into the fall," Roy-Byrne said. Ultimately, it's impossible to know what the future holds. Consumers should assess if they made a good return on investment, and if the risk of holding and hoping for a better profit "is wise or foolish," Kristof said. One cautionary note: Sellers may pay a higher tax rate on their gold profits than they may otherwise think. That's because the Internal Revenue Service would likely consider physical gold like jewelry, coins or bars to be a "collectible," for tax purposes, explained Troy Lewis, a certified public accountant and professor of accounting and tax at Brigham Young University. Federal long-term capital gains taxes on collectibles can go as high as 28%, while those on other assets like stocks and real estate can reach 20%. Schmidt recommends proceeding "thoughtfully" before selling or melting down gold jewelry. "It can be a smart move for those needing immediate funds, but not every piece should be melted down," he said. "Items with historical or artistic value, like family heirlooms or antique jewelry, may be worth more in their original form than as melted metal." Schmidt recommends consulting with a reputable jeweler or appraiser before selling as well as considering the cost of cashing out. "Gold may be in high demand, but once a unique piece is melted, its original value is lost forever," he said.
