Indiana
The Weekly: ChatGPT in the classroom, football loss to Indiana and the end of alumni interviews The Weekly: ChatGPT, football and alumni interviews
How has Northwestern responded to the rise of ChatGPT and other generative AI platforms? How did the Wildcats fare against No. 23 Indiana’s undefeated football team? The Daily answers these questions and recaps other top stories from the last week.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: Northwestern students can now access ChatGPT for free.
NU football fell to No. 23 Indiana 41-24 in its Big Ten home opener.
And the University will no longer offer alumni interviews for undergraduate applications.
From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Edward Simon Cruz. This is The Weekly, a breakdown of our top headlines from the past week.
Today, I’m speaking with Assistant Campus Editor Cassie Sun and Gameday Editor Jake Epstein.
Our first guest today is Cassie Sun, an assistant campus editor who’s written a few stories in the last week about how Northwestern students and faculty are responding to the rise of generative AI (artificial intelligence).
We’ve seen that the University created the Provost’s Generative AI Advisory Committee. In August 2023, they had some sessions for faculty members to learn more about generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and different ways they can use them in classrooms, adjust to their increasing popularity in academics and around the world.
And we’ve seen this year even more changes, where the University seems to be leaning even more into generative AI and its potential.
What have been some of the big changes that we’ve seen effected this school year?
CASSIE SUN: Northwestern students, faculty and staff now have access to ChatGPT through Copilot, which is the AI chatbot that comes from Microsoft. It’s special because Microsoft signed a contract with Northwestern so that the data that students input can’t be used for training, and that’s why the University wanted to partner with Microsoft, because it makes using ChatGPT safer for students.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: Faculty members, professors around the country have had concerns tied to academic integrity, some of them. Others have embraced the potential for generative AI to enhance the learning experience in various ways.
Some of these concerns are tied to the way in which generative AI platforms like ChatGPT rely on large language models, where they use an existing database of information available online and then generate, algorithmically, what they believe would be the most likely answer to a prompt that one were to type in.
How have different professors and faculty members and staff at Northwestern responded to this push toward generative AI and increased access to Copilot/ChatGPT?
CASSIE SUN: I think the general trend was that professors still want students to be critically thinking and working through it by themselves. But I think a surprising amount of professors are also open to students using ChatGPT or other generative AI (tools) as a way to help them.
So, for example, I talked to (religious studies) Prof. Lily Stewart, who said she’s OK with students using Microsoft Copilot for summaries, but she still wants the students to actually read the text that’s written. And similarly, (computer science) Prof. Connor Bain talked about how just because there are calculators doesn’t mean we don’t do simple math and we’re not taught math in school still. So I think what professors are thinking is to use AI as a supplement rather than replacing the actual work that students need to do for themselves.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: There were Fall 2023 surveys from Northwestern and the Associated Student Government that found that the majority of students use AI at least occasionally or once a month. Now that it’s a year later and we’ve seen changes at the University level, how have students responded to these changes?
CASSIE SUN: So I’ve actually seen some mixed responses from students, but primarily I think students are excited for this because generative AI is so prevalent already that so many students use it in ways that help them in their classes, so it’s not necessarily realistic for Northwestern to get rid of it entirely or to ban it. So I think a lot of students think that, since it’s becoming so prevalent, it’s better to have a resource that the University has already deemed as safe to use and they won’t take the data from the students, rather than having students pay for services themselves or use other (generative AI platforms) that could be less safe to use.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: And one of your other stories this week concerned Rudy Arora, who’s been doing some work with generative AI. He had a startup. He recently got some funding for it. What’s he been up to these days?
CASSIE SUN: When I talked to Rudy, he said that he founded this startup and (he and his friend) officially launched it last December, and now I think it’s taking off, which is part of the reason why we did the story. Rudy said that the startup, TurboLearn AI, has reached half a million users, which is a huge deal. And I think it goes to show that students are really open to integrating AI into their classes.
The startup is a tool that, when students walk into lecture, they can record the lecture and then have notes automatically generated for them. So this includes flashcards; it includes quizzes, practice tests. And it’s a really helpful way that students can both listen in class without having to worry about catching every word the professor says, because they know they have this backup mechanism in place.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: That was Cassie Sun, an assistant campus editor, talking about some of the changes that have been swirling on campus related to generative AI.
Now, turning over to sports. No. 23 Indiana, we were going up against them in our conference home opener at the beautiful Martin Stadium. Unfortunately, 41-24 — the game wasn’t quite as beautiful as we might have wanted it to be. We were coming off of a bye week after that devastating loss to Washington two weeks ago. We got (graduate student running back) Cam Porter back. We were roaring. We were ready to go. Jake Epstein, Gameday editor, here with me today. What happened?
JAKE EPSTEIN: You know, first off, I just want to reiterate just how much of a privilege it is to be here. I’m so happy to be featured on The Weekly. You know, Edward, you — you run a great show, and I’m honored to be here.
But what happened? You know, the ’Cats came up against the hottest team in the Big Ten right now. I mean, the first bowl-eligible team in the country, 6-0. (Coach) Curt Cignetti has turned that Indiana team into a powerhouse and it was simply a — it was a game where Northwestern’s offense came to play, and few of us really expected that one just because in that game in Seattle, that was fortunately put on the back burner. (Sophomore quarterback) Jack Lausch and the offense just never got into gear. But yesterday as the game ran on, Jack Lausch, he looked like a Big Ten quarterback. He looked like he belonged going up against (Indiana quarterback) Kurtis Rourke, who statistically is one of the best passers in the country and the conference as well. And you know, the ’Cats, they held their own.
It was within three points late in the second half, and then the Hoosiers turned it on. Northwestern’s defense couldn’t stop anything, and that was unfortunate, really, because this is a defense that had kept this team at least competitive in the first four games of the season, but the defense was the weak link on Saturday.
And you know what that really shows me? It shows me that if they are to put together a complete game, four full quarters of complimentary football with the offense home and with the defense stopping opponents as we’ve seen them do against quality competition — like Duke with (quarterback) Maalik Murphy for the bulk of that game did not have his feet set, had to play his way into it and toward the end, of course, the defense got a little fatigued. The fatigue set in, and Duke was able to pull away in double overtime. But when you look at this defense, they have been the identity of this team. This defense has been spectacular at times.
They couldn’t really get the pressure on Rourke this Saturday, but I think if they can put together a complete game with the offense and the defense firing on all cylinders, this team could win several more games this season and perhaps push for what looks unlikely right now, but there could be four wins out there for them, four more wins for them to perhaps push for a bowl spot. Now, do I think that’ll happen? No, unfortunately, but, you know, never say never, and David Braun is someone that you never want to bet against. He’s the guy who can come in and really right a ship when it looks unsteady as it can be.
EDWARD SIMON CRUZ: That was Jake Epstein, our Gameday editor. We talked about this on Sunday night, so here he was doing a little Monday morning quarterbacking, so to speak, for Northwestern’s loss to No. 23 Indiana, 41-24, on Saturday. Northwestern will next be facing Maryland in College Park on Friday.
Here are the other top headlines from the week:
NU is no longer providing alumni interviews for prospective students. Applicants can now record an optional video or participate in the new Alumni Conversations program.
Evanston’s proposed 2025 budget is about $9 million less than its 2024 expenses. The budget includes support for the Capital Improvement Plan, which will fund maintenance and repairs for various public sites.
“Brat fall” came to Chicago for a day when Charli XCX and Troye Sivan rushed the United Center during their Sweat tour.
NU men’s soccer is back in the win column, defeating Trine today 4-0. The ’Cats are now 6-5.
And voting continues for Associated Student Government Senate elections. All 20 school senator seats are open. Voting closes today, Oct. 7, at 5 p.m.
From The Daily Northwestern, I’m Edward Simon Cruz. Thanks for listening to another episode of The Weekly. This episode was reported and produced by me, Cassie Sun and Jake Epstein.
The audio editor of The Daily Northwestern is me, Edward Simon Cruz. The digital managing editors are Carlotta Angiolillo and Sasha Draeger-Mazer. The editor in chief is Jacob Wendler.
Our theme music is “Night Owl” by Broke for Free, used under a Creative Commons Attribution License and provided by the Free Music Archive.
Follow us on X and Instagram @thedailynu. We’ll be back next Monday with another episode of The Weekly.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
X: @cassiesunL
Email: [email protected]
X: @jakeepste1n
Related Stories:
— Northwestern provides free access to ChatGPT 4.0 through Microsoft Copilot
— Football: Northwestern’s defense struggles in 41-24 loss to No. 23 Indiana
— Northwestern discontinues alumni interviews for undergraduate applicants
Indiana
The Indiana Pacers Need Tyrese Haliburton To Find Consistency
Last season, the world saw the early-season rise of Tyrese Haliburton, in which the Pacer guard averaged over 26 points, and 12 assists per game, leading his team to the number one offense in the NBA.
Unfortunately, an avalanche of injuries, including to his knee, ankle, hamstring, and back, forced Haliburton to play the majority of the season in limited fashion. His numbers, understandably so, fell to a point where fans and pundits essentially decided to wait for this season, 2024-2025, to see his full production return.
Inconsistencies
37 games into this season, however, Haliburton is nowhere near the same place as he was to start last season. His 18.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 3.7 rebounds are stil All-Star caliber numbers, but for a team that was expecting their point guard to return to his elite levels of production, it’s been a rough year.
Fortunately for the Pacers, they’re 19-18 and are winning at a decent rate, at least decent enough compete for a Top 6 playoff seed, which means avoiding the play-in tournament altogether. This, in large part, is due to the play of Pascal Siakam, Bennedict Mathurin, and Myles Turner.
Haliburton unquestionably plays a big part in their winning record, inconsistencies aside, but there seems to be a lingering feeling that the Pacers would be considerably better if he was back to form.
In seven games this season, Haliburton has failed to crack double-digit scoring. The Pacers have lost each and every one of those.
In the six games he’s scored over 30 points, they’re 5-1, and have outscored their opponents by 51 points in those five wins.
It’s not rocket science to conclude that teams tend to win more when their best player is producing at elite levels, but in the case of Indiana, it’s absurdly relevant given how one small losing streak can put them right back into play-in territory.
Deadline goals
The Pacers do have a little under a month to further upgrade its roster, which should help offset some of Haliburton’s inconsistent play.
Indiana doesn’t have a major pool of assets to toy around with, and they’re currently over the luxury tax limit by a hair over $400,000 which means they’re probably looking to also shed money to get under it.
(Historically, teams that are so close to go under the tax line make deadline moves that save them just enough to get under, so they can partake in receiving payments from the teams that do go over.)
Can the Pacers make a roster upgrade, and simultaneously get under the tax line? It’s not impossible, but they’ll have to carefully construct a deal that helps both of their endeavors, while also making sure to not waste too much of their future flexibility.
If possible, the franchise should seek out a shooter who can also rebound the ball.
The Pacers are one of the worst rebounding teams in the NBA, and while they rank seventh in three-point efficiency, they rank just 27th in attempts, and are thus in need of volume.
Those players aren’t easy to find, so they’ll have to get creative.
Hope ahead
Setting aside the trade deadline, there might be good news coming for the Pacers in regards to Haliburton.
Over his past five games, the 24-year-old has averaged 25.3 points, 9.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds, including a 33-point, 15-assist performance against Miami.
This has been Haliburton’s best stretch of the season, and the Pacers would love to see him maintain this level of production, especially as they’re paying him over $244.6 million over the next five seasons.
Should the Pacers succeed in making a real upgrade before the deadline, and get Haliburton back to form, they could become a serious surprise team in the East by April.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
Indiana
Indiana basketball vs. USC expert prediction, start time, TV channel for 1/8/25
IU basketball leaves Philly with ‘really good win’ over Penn State
IU Insider Zach Osterman breaks down the Hoosiers’ win over Penn State at the Palestra on Sunday.
Indiana basketball returns home on a four-game winning streak to host USC in Big Ten action on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
The Hoosiers (12-3, 3-1) are coming off a victory over highly regarded Penn State in Philadelphia as Oumar Ballo carried the first half and Mackenzie Mgbako heated up early in the second half. Malik Reneau (knee) missed the game, but team officials have said they don’t expect him to be out long term. IU is the Big Ten’s best rebounding team (76.7% defensive rebounds in conference games, 1st; 37.7% offensive rebounds, 2nd).
The Trojans (9-5, 1-2) lost to Michigan over the weekend as they scored just 3 points in final 3 minutes. USC struggles rebounding (68.9% defensive, 12th; 28.6% offensive, 12th) and it doesn’t attempt many 3-pointers (5.0-of-15.7 per game, 31.9% in conference). The Trojans continue to miss Terrance Williams II, the Michigan transfer who suffered a broken wrist in December.
Want more Hoosiers coverage? Zach Osterman and Michael Niziolek keep up with IU all season. Sign up for IndyStar’s Hoosiers newsletter.
Indiana basketball prediction, pick
Zach Osterman, IndyStar: Indiana 88-81
Indiana has been playing better of late, with good, tough wins against Rutgers and Penn State. USC isn’t bad so much as finding itself, and this feels like the kind of game where a young team rises to the occasion. IU struggles but wins.
When does Indiana basketball play today?
7 p.m. ET Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
What channel is the IU basketball game on?
Indiana basketball odds
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Indiana a 65.4% chance of winning.
Indiana basketball rankings vs. USC
Through Jan. 5
Indiana projected starting lineup
(with 2024-25 season averages)
USC projected starting lineup
- Desmond Claude (14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds)
- Chibuzo Agbo (12.8 points, 39.1% 3-pointers, 4.3 rebounds)
- Josh Cohen (9.7 points)
- Saint Thomas (9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.3 assists)
- Wesley Yates III (9.1 points)
Indiana basketball schedule
Jan. 2: Indiana 84, Rutgers 74
Jan. 5: Indiana 77, Penn State 71
Wed., Jan. 8: vs. USC, 7 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 11: at Iowa, 8 p.m., Fox
Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Illinois, 7 p.m., Peacock
USC basketball schedule
Dec. 22: USC 82, Southern 51
Jan. 4: Michigan 85, USC 74
Wed., Jan. 8: at Indiana, 7 p.m., BTN
Sat., Jan. 11: at Illinois, noon, BTN
Tues., Jan. 14: vs. Iowa, 10:30 p.m., BTN
Indiana
Historic Cypress Log Cabin at Indiana Dunes National Park now available for overnight stays
Tuesday, January 7, 2025 1:06AM
You can now stay at the one-of-a-kind Cypress Log Cabin at Indiana Dunes that was originally built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
CHICAGO (WLS) — You can now stay at the one-of-a-kind Cypress Log Cabin at Indiana Dunes that was originally built for the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair.
At the end of the World’s Fair in 1935, the home, which is one of the famed “Century of Progress” houses, was taken to Beverly Shores, Ind., where it has stood since.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
It spent several decades as a private home, and then was restored through a program between Indiana Landmarks, the National Park Service and several private parties.
The cabin was previously only accessible to the public through limited National Park tours.
You can book a stay by visiting INtheDunes.com.
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