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It feels like every day I hear of an innovative new use for ChatGPT. Making my grocery list, creating a marathon training plan, giving me a pep talk.
I might also have been inclined to use it to get legal advice, should I need it – but not after reading this piece. Researchers Francine Ryan and Elizabeth Hardie put popular legal questions to a selection of AI chatbots, and what they found left them adamant that you should not try it for yourself.
The name “forever chemicals” doesn’t sound all that nice, but it gets worse. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals that don’t degrade, and create water and oil-repellent surfaces on many consumer products. Many PFAS are toxic, and they’re in a surprising number of things we use every day (including, worryingly, makeup and waterproof clothing). This piece explains what you need to know, and has some very useful tips on how to avoid them.
And, it’s been a strange year for images of the royals, from the photoshopped snap of the Princess of Wales and family, to the unexpected red of king Charles’s first official portrait as monarch. Looking back at the most controversial royal portraits from history, I guess we can count ourselves lucky that we haven’t seen the king depicted as a mermaid.
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Avery Anapol
Commissioning Editor, Politics + Society
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Francine Ryan, The Open University; Elizabeth Hardie, The Open University
AI chatbots can quickly explain complicated legal information in a straightforward, conversational style, but they are not always accurate.
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Daniel Drage, University of Birmingham
PFAS are commonly found in waterproof clothing, stain-resistant textiles, cosmetics and cookware. Here’s how to best minimise your exposure to these forever chemicals.
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Christina Faraday, University of Cambridge
British monarchs have grappled with issues of representation, accuracy and flattery in portraits since the Middle Ages.
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Arts + Culture
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Saul Leslie, University of Liverpool
The author’s work and life were punctuated by illness and disability.
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Nathan Abrams, Bangor University
From 2001: A Space Odyssey to Eyes Wide Shut, the spectre of Kafka hangs over the work of Stanley Kubrick.
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Daniel O'Brien, University of Essex
Here are six examples (among many) in which De Niro’s roles embody a sense of isolation, both visually and thematically.
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World
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Dafydd Townley, University of Portsmouth
Donald Trump’s consistent attacks on the US justice system may have done significant damage.
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Health
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Eleftheria Kodosaki, UCL
Regardless, there’s no doubt that sleep is important for the brain.
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Nigel Mulligan, Dublin City University
Some patients report that SSRIs are helpful – even essential – in the management of mental health. Others, however, complain of being turned into zombies. Psychotherapy is an effective alternative.
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Politics + Society
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Paul Whiteley, University of Essex
A look back at how much the dial has shifted during the short, official campaign period in elections since 1945.
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Murray Leith, University of the West of Scotland
After taking the vast majority of seats in the last two elections, the SNP looks set for major losses.
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Science + Technology
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Sam McKee, Manchester Metropolitan University
Science has a need to verify results, but DeepMind’s protein prediction tool doesn’t work this way.
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Business + Economy
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Stefan Andreasson, Queen's University Belfast
The US majors have been doing a much better job of forecasting where oil demand is heading.
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Environment
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Renaud Foucart, Lancaster University
Criticisms that this is ‘just a logo’ aren’t entirely unreasonable, but Labour is setting out a green transition on a tight budget.
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