So many people have asked me about the US “math wars” during my recent visit, that I thought I’d comment in a blog, rather than repeat myself over and over again. Briefing for those not in the US: there is open warfare between “reformers” and “non-reformers” of math education. The latest round is ostensibly over whether “data science” should be accepted as an alternative to traditional subjects like “algebra II” for admission to top colleges.
Read MoreEvery day people and AIs are being compared, their character—personas—and abilities.
There’s a much longer running Wolfram tradition. Comparing people with animals, sock puppets or desk toys. Which animal has the expression of which person you know? Which desk toy best represents the person sitting opposite in a meeting? Or which crocheted animal—a hobby of my daughter’s, prompted by my colleague Lianne’s vast constructed collection?
Read MoreThe byline for “The Math(s) Fix” was “An Education Blueprint for the AI age”. And I meant it. I just didn’t know that ChatGPT would so suddenly expose the need for reformation.
I have relaunched my book today, with a new foreword (for Kindle Edition) that explains “how The Math(s) Fix addresses key issues not only for the future of maths, but for AI-age education in general. This book uniquely puts the ChatGPT shock into perspective by offering the reformer's roadmap for reaction to policymakers, employers, parents, teachers, and students.”
Read MoreThe combination of ChatGPT with its Wolfram plug-in just scored 96% in a UK Maths A-level paper, the exam taken at the end of school, as a crucial metric for university entrance. (That compares to 43% for ChatGPT alone).
If this doesn’t shock you, it should. Maths A-level (like its equivalent in many other countries) is held up as the required and essential qualification
Read More
