ISI in the Media

An AI chatbot told a user how to kill himself—but the company doesn’t want to “censor” it
Source: MIT Technology ReviewWhile Nomi’s chatbot is not the first to suggest suicide, researchers and critics say that its explicit instructions—and the company’s response—are striking. ISI principal researcher Jonathan May gives his thoughts.

‘Venmo is for Vices’: Paying for Sex, Drugs and Gambling on the Down-low
Source: ForbesISI’s Jelena Mirkovic shares insights on how Venmo transactions for vices are out in the open

IEEE Offers New Credential to Address Tech Skills Gap
Source: IEEE SpectrumThe program provides microcredentials for completing learning experiences

Misinformation rampant as fires ravage LA
Source: LAistISI’s Kristina Lerman discusses the spread of online misinformation about the LA wildfires.

Why Meta’s Fact-Checking Change Could Lead to More Misinformation on Facebook and Instagram
Source: TIMELuca Luceri is quoted by Time magazine, highlighting the risks of misinformation, manipulation, and content amplification under Meta’s new approach.

Meet the USC (Viterbi) Rocket Club that Shattered a World Altitude Record
Source: Fast CompanyThis profile story details the history of RPL, includes mention alumni space startups as well as SERC as part of the USC Viterbi space ecosystem.

Partnering to Win: Ensuring Space Superiority by Improving Software Development for Space Defense
Source: Space Systems CommandU.S. Space Force Space Systems Command partnered with the USC ISI as part of the USSF’s University Partnership Program.

Carrot E. coli outbreak brings new concerns for shoppers
Source: CBSAbigail Horn was interviewed about the discussing the recent E.Coli outbreak linked to carrots, which has impacted local grocery stores and prompted a recall.

The Search for Critical Minerals is Going High Tech Republish
Source: UndarkCraig Knoblock was interviewed about his team’s participation in a DARPA project that applies machine learning to to identify sources of rare earth minerals.

ISI’s Ewa Deelman appointed trustee of the Internet2 board
Source: Internet 2Internet2 is a non-profit, member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation’s leading higher education institutions in 1996.