The Conversation

How can Congress regulate AI? Erect guardrails, ensure accountability and address monopolistic power

Written by Anjana Susarla, Professor of Information Systems, Michigan State University

IBM executive Christina Montgomery, cognitive scientist Gary Marcus and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman prepared to testify before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee.AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Takeaways:

A new federal agency to regulate AI sounds helpful but could become unduly influenced by the tech industry. Instead, Congress can legislate accountability.
Instead...

COVID-19 clawbacks, spending caps and a cut – what House Republicans got in return for pushing the US to the brink of default

Written by Raymond Scheppach, Professor of Public Policy, University of Virginia

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has billed the deal as a victory for his party. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

House Republicans pushed the U.S. to the edge of a fiscal crisis because they wanted deep cuts in government spending.

So, based on the deal President Joe Biden signed into law on June 3, 2023, how did they do?

In broad strokes, the deal...

After the ALS ice bucket challenge and the rise of MrBeast, stunt philanthropy might be here to stay

Written by Monica Lea, PhD Student in Public Administration, University of Nebraska Omaha

Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, leaned into charity to get a massive following.Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images

Stunt philanthropy is what happens when influencers, other celebrities and people who aren’t famous at all use entertaining videos to encourage support for a charitable cause.

When their stunts go viral, it can lead to massive public...

Why more cities are hiring 'night mayors' and establishing forms of nighttime governance

Written by Jess Reia, Assistant Professor of Data Science, University of Virginia

A dancer at 'The Fairy Tale Ball' in Madrid in October 2022.Aldara Zarraoa/Getty Images

Growing up in a small town in Brazil, my daily life was shaped by the rhythms of my family’s working hours. My father has been a night shift worker for over three decades at a local factory. We got used to silent days and busy nights, noticing how our...

What it takes to become a spelling bee champ

Written by Pawan Dhingra, Associate Provost and Professor of American Studies, Amherst College

Study groups and quizzes can help, but one studying technique stands out above the rest.Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

Whenever the Scripps National Spelling Bee takes place, parents and children may wonder: What does it take to become a champion? Is it worth the effort?

As just about any former Scripps champion could tell you, the contest...

From its birth 50 years ago, hip-hop has spread throughout Europe and challenged outdated ideals of racial and ethnic identity

Written by Armin Langer, Assistant Professor of European Studies, University of Florida

Rapper Eko Fresh performs during a fundraising concert in Hamburg, Germany, on Dec. 6, 2022. Georg Wendt/Getty Images

His name is Alpha Diallo, and in his 2016 song “I am at home,” the French rapper makes clear who and what he is.

“I am Black,” he sings, “Proud to be French of Guinean origin.”

Known as Black M,...

What Erdoğan's reelection means for Turkey's political system, economy and foreign policy

Written by Ahmet T. Kuru, Professor of Political Science, San Diego State University

Supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan celebrate in Istanbul on May 28, 2023.AP Photo/Emrah Gurel, File

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been reelected as president, ensuring that his term as leader of Turkey will extend to a quarter century.

The electorate returned Erdoğan to power in a runoff vote on May 28, 2023, with 52% of votes. But with...

What really started the American Civil War?

Written by Robert Gudmestad, Professor and Chair of History Department, Colorado State University

More than 600,000 soldiers died during the American Civil War.Keith Lance/Digital Vision Vectors via Getty Images

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.

What really started the Civil War? – Abbey, age 7, Stone Ridge, New York

Th...

Kids missing school: Why it's happening -- and how to stop it

Written by Joshua Childs, Assistant Professor of Education Policy, The University of Texas at Austin

Students who miss a lot of school are more likely to drop out.maroke/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Chronic absenteeism – defined as a student’s missing approximately 18 days of the school year – is on the rise. Compared with the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic, almost three-quarters of U.S. public schools are now showing...

Debt ceiling negotiators reach a deal: 5 essential reads about the tentative accord, brinkmanship and the danger of default

Written by Bryan Keogh, Deputy Managing Editor and Senior Editor of Economy and Business

Biden speaks to reporters about the tentative accord. AP Photo/Susan Walsh

President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on May 27, 2023, agreed in principle to a tentative deal that would raise the debt ceiling while capping some federal spending at current levels.

The accord, if approved by both houses of Congress, would avert an...