Mount Hood

An Interview with A.I.

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

In an age of rapid technological change, many people are understandably fearful and uncertain about the implications of artificial intelligence. To discuss these fears, I figured there was no better way than to reach out to the direct source, ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI, about its creation, purpose and impact on society. In this interview, we explore some of the common misconceptions and concerns around AI, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of this rapidly advancing technology.

Q: Your rise to popularity happened at a rapid rate. Who created you, and what is their purpose and goal in doing so?

A: I was created by OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. Their purpose is to develop and promote friendly AI for the benefit of humanity.

Q: What do you mean by “for the benefit of humanity”? Can you give me some examples?

A: By “for the benefit of humanity,” OpenAI aims to create AI that can help solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, disease, and poverty. For example, AI could be used to optimize renewable energy production or to develop more effective treatments for diseases. Additionally, OpenAI seeks to make AI more accessible and understandable to people from all walks of life.

Q: I understand, thank you. Shifting focus now, a lot of people are worried about AI taking jobs away from humans, what do you have to say in response to that?

A: While AI has the potential to automate some jobs, it can also create new jobs and augment human capabilities in many industries. Ultimately, the impact of AI on employment will depend on how it is implemented and integrated into various industries. It is important to note that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity and ingenuity.

Q: A lot of people worry that this tool has the ability to cause more harm than good, with issues such as plagiarism and things. Do you have any thoughts about that?

A: AI is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for harm, depending on how it is designed and used. It is important to develop and implement AI in a responsible manner, with appropriate safeguards in place to prevent misuse or unintended consequences. Additionally, it is important for people to understand the limitations and biases of AI, and to use it in conjunction with human judgment and oversight.

Q: What sort of safeguards are being put in place?

A: Various safeguards are being put in place to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly. Some examples include:

1- Ethical guidelines and principles for AI development and deployment, such as those developed by organizations like the IEEE and the Partnership on AI.

2- Regulations and policies around AI development and use, such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the US Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on AI transparency and fairness.

3- Auditing and oversight of AI systems to ensure that they are being used in compliance with relevant regulations and ethical principles.

4- Research into potential risks and challenges associated with AI, such as bias and unintended consequences, and efforts to mitigate these risks.

These are just a few examples, but there are many ongoing efforts to ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Q: Great, thank you. I know that OpenAI wants AI to be accessible to everyone, but recently, it has felt as though it has been forced on everyone, with Snapchat adding an AI to their app that you cannot take off the chat screen. Why is it important that it is forced on everyone, especially because plenty of people could abuse it?

A: It is not necessarily important or desirable for AI to be forced on everyone without their consent or control. It is important for people to have agency and control over the AI systems they use and interact with. However, it is important to note that some applications of AI, such as those related to accessibility and assistive technology, can have tremendous benefits for people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. In these cases, it is important to ensure that the AI is developed and deployed in an inclusive and responsible manner. Ultimately, the appropriate use and deployment of AI will depend on the specific context and application.

Q: Thank you. To close out the interview, are there any thoughts that you feel are necessary for people to understand about AI or any other tools, moving forward?

A: As AI and other advanced technologies continue to evolve and become more prevalent in our lives, it is important for people to approach them with a critical and informed perspective. This means understanding the capabilities and limitations of these tools, as well as their potential risks and benefits. It also means considering the broader social and ethical implications of these technologies and advocating for responsible and equitable development and deployment. Ultimately, AI and other tools are just that: tools. It is up to us as individuals and as a society to decide how we want to use them to shape our future.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

The value of esports

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

As technology continues to advance, so does the world of gaming. Esports, or electronic sports, have taken the world by storm and it has become a billion-dollar industry. The rise of esports has sparked the debate of whether it is actually a sport.

Professional players and teams compete against one another in a variety of video games as part of esports. These contests can be held live or online and they can range in size from small regional competitions to major worldwide events like the League of Legends World Championship. 

Over the past ten years, esports has experienced exponential growth, attracting millions of viewers to watch their favorite teams and players compete.

Esports proponents cite that, like traditional sports, it incorporates competition and calls for skill and strategy as evidence that it qualifies as a sport. Esports athletes need to have exceptional hand-eye coordination and be able to react and adapt quickly under pressure. 

Like conventional sports, esports demands a lot of repetition and training. Professional esports players frequently spend hours each day developing their abilities. 

We are likely going to see gaming evolve even further into the sports world, as it may even become an Olympic sport in the future since the International Olympic Committee has already recognized esports as a legitimate competitive activity.
Frankly, I feel that a “competitive activity” is all it should be labeled as. Just because there are people engaging in competition, does not make something a sport. Furthermore, spending time honing a craft does not make something a sport, as that can be done with any hobby — not to mention that’s also how jobs work.

Esports also lacks any true physical component to be labeled as a true sport. While esports players certainly require mental and physical dexterity, their activities don’t require the same level of physical exertion as traditional sports. 

There is no denying how incredibly powerful the esports industry has become — given it is now over a billion dollar industry — but to say that these competitive gamers are athletes is comical and blatantly disrespectful to the passion and work ethic that traditional athletes have.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Abby’s House discussing plans for future Wolves Against Interpersonal Violence committees

Abby’s House discussing plans for future Wolves Against Interpersonal Violence committees

 

Gretchen Sims | Freelancer

Contact the author at gsims20@mail.wou.edu

Content warning: this article mentions sexual assault. 

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 13% of all college students experience rape or sexual assault by means of physical force, violence or incapacitation — 23% of undergraduate female identifying persons and 6.8% of undergraduate male identifying persons.

These statistics are understandably alarming. Fortunately, Abby’s House is extremely aware of the critical need to push back against interpersonal violence. 

The idea for the Wolves Against Interpersonal Violence committee began as a grant requirement during the 2010 school year. Although funding was renewed several times, it eventually dissolved in 2019. After that brief pause, Western staff expressed interest in continuing  the program, which was previously known as the Campus Against Sexual Assault committee.

Although a finite list of objectives for WAIV has not yet been cultivated, Kristen Perry, Director of Abby’s House, envisions several for WAIV’s future. 

“Personally, I’ve worked (in programs similar to this) at a few different campuses. I’ve seen things that work, and I’ve seen things that don’t work. My dream is to have everyone — across campus — on the same page on what prevention and education we offer, what training we offer, what our victim services are, how we can respond and what the conduct case management process is,” Perry stated. “But I can’t do that alone, I’m glad that the WAIV committee is here to help move along those types of goals — those dreams.” 

Right now, many individuals are working together to make Perry’s visions come true. The WAIV committee currently includes individuals who specialize in conduct and Title IX, individuals from Residential Education, Student Health and Counseling, Public Safety, Abby’s House and select leadership members. 

At current meetings, the committee discusses what is currently being done across campus to prevent interpersonal violence and what could be done to improve the experiences of survivors.        

In the revised and finalized version of WAIV, the experts and committed people that compose WAIV will be split into three subcommittees. 

The first will deal with prevention and education which will focus on consent education that is required for students. This committee will also focus on bystander intervention and other education that is offered across campus.

The second subcommittee will focus on policy. It will revise policies, ensure compliance and also educate the campus on some policies that they need to be aware of — such as Title IX and the Clery Act. 

The final subcommittee will be a response committee — training faculty and staff on what to do if a student discloses to them. This subcommittee will also focus on the confidential advocacy offered in Abby’s House, qualified Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner exams offered at SHCC and how Title IX investigations are performed. 

Sometime in the near future, Abby’s House will be searching for passionate students to sit on committees and help assist with the response to SA on campus. If interested, keep an eye out for more information or reach out to Kristen Perry or Abby’s House directly.

 

Abby’s House has two confidential advocates who can meet with students who have been affected by interpersonal violence such as sexual assault, dating violence, harassment or stalking. They can offer emotional support, reporting options, medical assistance, financial support, academic assistance, support around building coping skills and referrals to other resources both on and off campus.

Favorite season for a reason

Western students answer the question: “What is your favorite season and why?”

James Fowlkes | Freelancer

Contact the author at jfowlkes18@wou.edu

 

Name: Will Ollenbrook 

Age: 23 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Computer Science 

Favorite Season: Spring 

Reason(s): 

“I think it’s probably due to, just like a lot of personal reasons. I’m Irish so, included in Spring usually comes like Saint Patrick’s Day and things like that. Also, I had my birthday recently. That’s another thing that happens around Spring. It’s relatively chilly but not like super cold weather around Spring. It’s a bit more rainy around here in the Pacific Northwest but I don’t really tend to have an issue with that.” 

Name: Xavier Glenn 

Age: 20 

Class Standing: Sophomore 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Physical Education 

Favorite Season: Winter 

Reason(s): 

“Probably winter just because I like to go out and play in the snow and stuff, and it’s probably the best season for dressing, like layers and things like that. Also, I just like the holidays too, so like Christmas time. I guess Thanksgiving kind of counts in winter too, maybe like fall, but holiday family time as well. I think winter is also good because there’s just a stronger, like, sense of community I think and people are trying to get through the hard winter as a family or things like that.”

 

Name: Cedar Davis-Frankfort 

Age: 21 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Elementary Education 

Favorite Season: Summer 

 

Reason(s):

“I just enjoy the warm weather and I’m a distance runner so I like running during the summer ‘cause it’s warm out and I don’t worry much about school so I can just run whenever. I enjoy traveling and there’s more time to travel and explore new places.” 

Name: Brittany Waligroski 

Age: 21 

Class Standing: Junior 

Pronouns: She/her 

Major: ASL Interpreting 

Favorite Season: Fall 

 

Reason(s):

“I really like when the leaves on all the trees change colors. It’s just super pretty and then it also has my favorite kind of days that are (sunny) but cold.” 

 

Name: James Ceciliani 

Age: 22 

Class Standing: Senior 

Pronouns: He/Him 

Major: Criminal Justice 

Favorite Season: Spring

 

Reason(s):

“It’s always good to look forward to summer. Sun starts to come out again and we can start going outside a lot more. It’s not super hot and I’m not a big fan of blistering heat but I usually go out and go on hikes and such. (It’s) just sunny, and the days get longer, that’s a big one. And seasonal depression starts going away. I’m an umpire, so baseball starts up again and it’s just gonna be outside.”

 

Campus Voices: sharing their feelings on the mask mandate lifting

Western students answer the question: “What is your raw, honest, unfiltered, opinion about the recent lifting of the mask mandate?

Gretchen Sims | Freelancer

Contact the author at gsims20@mail.wou.edu

Name: Ruth Simonsen

Class standing: sophomore

Major: psychology

Pronouns: She/her

“I like seeing people’s faces. I like knowing when I smile at them that they will smile back. I like seeing the faces of people in my clases. Of course there are still fears, but I like being able to put a face to a name and a name to a face. I feel like when you can see people’s faces and can smile at them, it is easier to be friendly. It’s just a better vibe.” 

 

Name: Makaela Calonder

Class standing: first-year

Major: pre-education

Pronouns: She/her

“Personally, I am very excited about not having to wear masks. I work at a pool, so in general — in my daily life ⏤ it is nice because it gets very hot and sweaty in the mask. Here at WOU it is nice not having to worry about not having one on me at all times. Of course I respect everyone who still chooses to wear a mask, but for me it is really nice.”

 

Name: Kamryn Bolan

Class standing: first-year

Major: business

Pronouns: She/her

“So far this year, especially as a freshman, I have felt very distant from the community of students here. Over the past two years, it’s like we have forgotten how to socialize. I think there is so much personality revealed in a person’s face, so when you cover half of it up, you have trouble connecting with the person you just met. Going into spring term with masks off has given me a new sort of motivation for going to class. It’s crazy how much seeing the teacher’s face can amplify your engagement.” 

 

Name: Sienna Painter 

Class standing: junior

Major: American Sign Language studies

Pronouns: She/they

“Throughout the pandemic, I have been very cautious through shutdowns. (I) was not going anywhere other than like the forest during the shutdown. I started wearing a mask in January of 2020 — long before everything. I already had masks because I have been wearing masks since like 2018 whenever I felt sick or whatever, so I was already really comfortable with masks to begin with. For mask mandates being lifted, right now, I am very skeptical–mainly because of Spring Break. We lifted the mask mandate in all of Oregon, California and Washington right before Spring Break — right where all of WOU students would be traveling too. That’s why I am still wearing a mask to all of my classes and will be especially more cautious over the next two weeks. Also, I am like f—–g scared of COVID because of all of the variants and waves and stuff. I have never really minded with masks, but I do think because of our (WOU’s) high vaccination rates, and WOU is a pretty small campus, and people are fairly responsible, I am fairly comfortable with other people not wearing their masks. I also have not felt pressure to take my mask off. I was afraid I would be the only person in my classes not wearing a mask, but people have been pretty chill.”

 

Name: Max Brayton 

Class standing: first-year

Major: psychology

Pronouns: They/Them

“My parents are more conservative and Republican so they have been against the masks since the beginning and it’s nice to not hear s–t from them anymore. But, you know, with them as my parents, I see different perspectives which is interesting. Although I don’t agree with them, it is nice to have that perspective. I am from southern California and even down there, they are not being as safe as we are (in Oregon). I feel more comfortable not having my mask on here because I know, at least at our school, that more than ninety percent of people are vaccinated. Everyone has been really safe and respectful. Like I feel comfortable wearing, or not wearing, my mask here. I feel like this community has been very welcoming and inclusive and I feel like it’s about time (the mask mandate was lifted). I am a little nervous though. I saw a New York Times article this morning that a new COVID wave is hitting, but I feel like as long as everyone is being safe, I like to have my mask off ⏤ you really connect to people more.”

A playlist for “The Sex Issue*”

Compiled By: The Journal Staff

This edition of The Journal contains material not suitable for children. Please be advised.

We here at the Journal know better than anyone that banging in silence can be weird. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves, in honor of our Sex Issue, to compile a playlist full of songs to get down to. Gonna light some candles and make some sweet, sweet love, old-school style? We’ve got Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” for ya. Find yourself in a summertime quickie? Tegan and Sara’s “Walking With a Ghost” will get ya there. Furiously fornicating inside an abandoned warehouse deep in the bowels of the industrial district of an unfamiliar city? Nine Inch Nails has got you covered with “Closer.”

Here’s a listing of what’s to be found on our sexy, sexy mix. The playlist itself lives on Spotify, titled “WOU Journal’s Sexy Times Extravaganza.”

Turn up the volume and get down, you crazy kids.

“Into You” – Ariana Grande
“Gimme All Your Love” – Alabama Shakes
“Coffee (F–king)” – Miguel
“Retrograde” – James Blake
“1+1” – Beyonce
“Two Weeks” – FKA Twigs
“Closer” – Nine Inch Nails (LMAO)
“Let’s Get It On” – Marvin Gaye
“Same Ol’ Mistakes” – Rihanna
“I Wanna Hump You” – Chixdiggit
“Enter Galactic (Love Connection part 1)” – Kid Cudi
“Cigarette Song” – Raury
“Feel It All Around” – Washed Out
“Video Games” – Lana Del Rey
“Diet Mountain Dew” – Lana Del Rey
“Alive (Nightmare)” – Kid Cudi ft Ratatat
“SpottieOttieDopalisicious” – Outkast
“Lazy Love” – Chloe x Halle
“Boris” – Lo-Fang
“Station” – Låpsley
“Walking With A Ghost” – Tegan and Sara
“Nocturnal” – Disclosure ft The Weeknd
“Take It Like a Man” – Dragonette
“Down On Me” – Jeremih ft 50 Cent
“Gooey” – Glass Animals
“Peaches and Cream” – 112
“I Believe in a Thing Called Love” – The Darkness
“I”ll Make Love To You” Boyz II Men
“Crazy B-tch” – Buckcherry
“Swimming Pools (Drank)” – Kendrick Lamar
“Creep” – Radiohead
“L$D” – A$AP Rocky
“Power Trip” – J. Cole
“So Good At Being In Trouble” – Unknown Mortal Orchestra
“You” – Candlebox
“Cherub Rock” – The Smashing Pumpkins
“Better Man” – Pearl Jam
“Je t’aime moi non plus” – Serge Gainsbourg
“Satisfaction” – Benny Benassi
“Pony” – Ginuwine
“Daydreamer” – Adele
“Slow Like Honey” – Fiona Apple
“Semi-Charmed Life” – Third Eye Blind
“In My Bed” – Dru Hill
“PILLOWTALK” – ZAYN
“Thinkin Bout You” – Frank Ocean
“Sexy Can I” – Ray-J
“Sex&Candy” -Marcy’s Playground
“Afternoon Delight” -Starland Vocal Band
“I Want to Sex You Up” – Color Me Badd
“Burning Desire” – Lana Del Ray
“Partition” – Beyonce
“My Neck, My Back” – Khia
“Sex On Fire” – Kings Of Leon
“Touch Me” – Spring Awakening Original Broadway Soundtrack
“Body Language” – Queen
“Ride”- SoMo
“Lotus Flower Bomb”- Wale ft. Miguel
“Trading Places”- Usher
“Breezeblocks”- alt-J
“F–k the Pain Away” – Peaches

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