Leon Furze
Thursday, October 8
Beyond Chatbots: The Convenient Costume of AI Agents
The chatbot interface barely scratches the surface of what AI can do. It is also being used to hide genuinely harmful and even criminal activities.
leonfurze.com
Sunday, September 6
Computer Using AI is Solved
Two years ago I wrote an article arguing that Anthropic’s “Computer Use” – then in beta testing – would be the next ChatGPT moment for education. At the time, computer using agents (CUAs) were not common, and Anthropic’s version was strictly limited to research, running only inside a virtual computer. It had…
leonfurze.com
Wednesday, September 2
Rogue AI: Should We Be Worried?
Three AI labs have admitted their models broke into other people’s systems. An Australian gym-goer was bumped off a waitlist by somebody else’s AI assistant. A government lost 2,500 personnel records to a swarm of open-source agents. None of it is a rogue AI — and that is exactly why it should worry you.
leonfurze.com
Monday, August 31
Controlling Hardware with Generative Artificial Intelligence
Since 2024, the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT and Claude to proficiently code has emerged as a key driver of their evolution. Their ability to integrate with both software and physical devices presents opportunities for innovative applications. This convergence of AI with everyday technology could…
leonfurze.com
Saturday, August 29
What is AI slop?
The term "slop," defined as low-quality, AI-generated content, often reflects an imbalance between reader effort and author intent. Surveys reveal that readers largely attribute the fault to authors rather than the technology, highlighting frustration over perceived carelessness. Ultimately, slop represents a reader's…
leonfurze.com
Thursday, August 27
Teachers and AI on ABC Far North Drive
Last week I spoke with Jeremy Jones on ABC Far North’s Drive program about how teachers — not students — are actually using GenAI: the broken promise of reduced workload, the reality of burnout, marking and assessment, and what happens if machines start grading machines. You can hear the whole show on ABC listen:…
leonfurze.com
Sunday, August 23
Is This a Good Use of the Technology? Is It a Good Use of Your Brain?
The article discusses two crucial questions regarding AI: whether its use is appropriate and if it effectively engages one’s intellect. While these questions seem straightforward, their implications are nuanced and context-dependent, influencing how students and educators interact with AI technologies. Understanding…
leonfurze.com
Friday, August 21
Claude “Hacked” My Website (But It Didn’t Go Rogue)
Last weekend, Claude Code "hacked" my website, pretending to be me and creating an account for itself. It was my fault. Claude wasn't going rogue. And I learned a lot along the way.
leonfurze.com
Monday, August 10
Is the Tide Turning Against AI in Australia?
On Sunday, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that NSW may restrict Year 12 students from unsupervised take-home assessments, following a letter from the Deputy Premier. Meanwhile, South Australia announced a royal commission into AI, highlighting diverging state approaches: NSW acts quickly for student protection,…
leonfurze.com
Saturday, August 8
The Window of Critique for AI is Closing Fast
Large language model-based AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, making it challenging for critics to highlight its limitations. As technology becomes user-friendly, the inner workings are often obscured, akin to past experiences with telecommunication and internet infrastructures. This shift prompts a need…
leonfurze.com